Classic Audiobook Collection - The Hall in the Grove by Pansy ~ Full Audiobook [religion]

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Hall in the Grove by Pansy. Chapter 1. Little By-Paths Mrs. Robert Fenton sat down in the little red-covered chair in the dining room, broom in hand, and wiped from her usually bright eyes two large tears. That dining room was a fair and pretty creation, a poem or a picture done into real life. Mrs. Fenton had never written a poem, never painted a picture, but she had woven a touch of the genius that has to do with these into the furnishing of this home room.

Starting point is 00:00:35 A sitting room it was, as well as dining room. In fact, the proper name for it might have been the tea room, for the prosaic meals of breakfast and dinner were taken in a commoner spot, and the dainty teas set out on Fair Damasque and garnished with China in silver, were all that she permitted here. There was nothing very remarkable about the furnishings. I am not sure that the fentons had money enough to be remarkable. There was just that delicate blending of shades and tints, just that disposal of a few yards of muslin and lace, just that arrangement of a pot of ferns and a jar of fuchsias and a box of violets, that, united, form a fair whole, resting the eyes, yes, and the very hearts of lookers on. As a housekeeper, as a wife, as a mother, Mrs. Fenton excelled. Her own small hands performed all the lighter duties in the home, and performed them well.

Starting point is 00:01:37 Her bread was of the lightest and sweetest. Her chambers were kept in that delicate purity, which rests weary heads and sometimes hearts. Her windows were as clear as hands could make them. Her snowy curtains were looped in graceful folds, and with just the right tint of ribbon to blend well with surroundings. Her vines and plants climbed and budded and blossomed in luxurious fashion. Her husband's buttons were always in place, held by firm threads of her placing. His collars and cuffs shone brilliantly, for her own hands clear-starched and ironed

Starting point is 00:02:14 them. Indeed, in whatsoever department of home life you looked, you would be likely, after thorough investigation, to pronounce Mrs. Fenton a model. And yet, in the warm summer morning of which I write, she left her berries scorching on the vines, and her pretty tea-room in disarray, while she sat, with sleeves uprolled, and leaned her brown head against the broom, and let the teardrops fall unheeded on her white work apron. Not many of them, she was not a woman given to weeping. She arose presently and brushed back the tears in impatience at her weakness, and swept vigorously, and reduced the room to its accustomed beauty, omitting no item of usual routine, all the while with certain sad-looking wrinkles in her forehead, and a sore spot in her

Starting point is 00:03:05 heart. What was the trouble? Well, you remember that I said she was a model mother. Young Robert Fenton her only boy, indeed her only child, was the darling of her royal mother heart. For fourteen years she might almost have been said to live and breathe for him. She had sacrificed time and strength and quiet for him in that royal way which is a characteristic of motherhood, with that grand wholeheartedness about it that never uses the word sacrifice, nor dreams that it has anything to do with her experience. She had rejoiced over her. She had rejoiced over her heartedness about it, the perfect limbs and dimpled arm and broad white forehead of her beautiful boy. With delight had she fashioned cunning garments for him. What a pleasure it had been to brush his rings of yellow hair!

Starting point is 00:03:56 How careful she had been about his bath and his milk and his walks! How she had guarded his beautiful eyes from glaring lights! She had watched over the first doubtful stepings, she had watched over the first marvelous pearl that appeared in the rosebud mouth. She had rejoiced over the pearls of words as they began to drop from the baby tongue. Mama, Papa, baby. Will the English language ever beam for her again with the fullness of beauty that it had that day when Robbie Fenton first said, Papa? On through the years had the work and worship gone. Days of agony, nights of sleepless watching, when the small idol was fever-parched, days of perfect Thanksgiving when the glow of health came again. How she had studied this mother to teach Robbie the most careful forms of speech,

Starting point is 00:04:50 how she had watched to keep his heart and mouth pure, how she had entered into his childish plays and plans, she had been an engine or an engineer, a passenger on the train or a brakeman on duty, according to the changing mood of the boy for whom she played. She had learned the terms which the boys used at ball, marbles, and indeed all boyish games, on purpose to be able to talk sympathetically with Robbie. She had hovered over the bookshelves and counters where juvenile periodicals were stored and studied the merits of this and that pictorial, lingered over pages filled with accounts of boyish exploits, and bought lavishly at last from a somewhat slender.

Starting point is 00:05:34 purse. She had talked over with Robbie the stories in his books and treasured up sentences which indicated his preferences to bring them forth in aid of her next buying. Never had a boy a more tender, thoughtful, appreciative mother, and he had well repaid her care. Through 14 perilous years of life had he come in safety. Straight as an arrow, morally as well as physically, a grand, truthful, earnest-hearted boy. Was there need for tears in connection with such a boy as that? Let me tell you, there had come to that mother on the very morning of which I write, a sudden rude awakening. It chanced that her boy, Robert, was rapidly approaching the crisis of the disease known in these days as examination fever, and in his intense desire

Starting point is 00:06:28 to pass, heart and brain were being strained to their utmost tension. He had been tempted to late hours over his books the night before, and had overslept that morning. Yet, between the hasty mouthfuls of breakfast which he took, he made dashes into certain studies in which he was to be examined that day. Do you really suppose I'll pass, mother? He asked the question for perhaps the 13th time as she came through the room, bearing an armful a fresh table linen. Be it recorded that, hurried and preoccupied though he was, he sprang forward and opened the door for his mother. "'Of course you will pass,' she answered, regarding him with smiling face and fond, proud eyes.

Starting point is 00:07:14 "'I don't know about it. The examination is awful hard this time. The fellows who went through it last year say this is about the toughest one we'll have. History is the worst, dates you now. they go and mix themselves up so horribly. I'm awful on dates. I wish I had my book here. I don't see how I came to forget it. So the boy talked on more to himself than his mother, who passed in and out intent on household cares, yet wearing always a sympathetic face and having an answer ready for whatever could be answered. Presently he appealed to her again, his handsome face clouded with anxiety. Mother, if you'll believe it, I can't remember when that old Severus rebuilt his stone wall. I don't suppose you can help me? It was hardly a question, though it closed with the

Starting point is 00:08:07 upward inflection. It would have been plain to a listener that the boy did not expect help from his mother, yet there was a note of wistfulness in the words, an eager reaching out for sympathy and help from the mother who had sympathized with and helped him every day of his life. no dear i don't remember anything about it i am sure the mother spoke gently almost humbly and turned at once that her boy might not catch a glimpse of tears he did not dream of tears he was a quick-witted boy but he was only a boy and an eager anxious one oh dear he said a world of pent-up impatience in his voice how i do wish i had somebody to help me all the other have folks that they can ask when they get in a tight place. He did not speak to his mother. He did not mean any reflection on his mother. He was a boy who would have flushed to his temples in indignation, had anyone hinted that she was not the wisest and best mother that a boy

Starting point is 00:09:13 ever had. She had passed on into the next room, and he was simply talking aloud. He did not know, how could he, that every single word he spoke felt like, a stab in that mother's heart. I said it came to her as a revelation, this bitter truth that her boy was growing beyond her, in fact had grown beyond her. Only 14 years old, and he talked about Severus and St. Albion and Ethelbert and Athelstein, and the Saxon line and the Danish line, and she knew not what else. Half the time she could not tell whether they were the names of persons or places. How much he knew this boy of hers! She was proud of him? Oh, yes, indeed she was. And yet, and yet, he was growing away from her. What was this stone wall

Starting point is 00:10:08 about which he talked so glibly? It felt to her like a veritable wall, yes, and of stone, reaching up and up to the very sky, aye, even beyond. Who could assure her that the intellectual wall now being reared might not put ages between them in the life to come. She had read a poem once somewhere about two lives that clasped hands together across a tiny stream scarcely more than a thread. The two had walked and whispered together, but the stream had widened and widened, and the hands had dropped apart, and the whisperings together ceased. By and by they could only shout to each other, and at last even the shoutings were lost in the roar of ocean, and the divided lives went their separate ways.

Starting point is 00:10:57 The poem had saddened her when she read it. It came back to haunt her this summer morning, and it seemed to her that she could lean forward and distinctly hear the roar of that separating ocean. The little stream had begun. What was to hinder it from growing and growing until it divided her life from her boys? And yet, she would not have been,

Starting point is 00:11:20 have it otherwise, would not at least have that boy's rapid mental strides interfered with. Oh, no, indeed. Yet the tears fell over the thoughts of his onward march. While she sat in her pretty little sewing-chair, she went rapidly over her own past. How did it happen that her boy was already ahead of her? Oh, easily enough, the same story has been often lived and often told. Her early life had been one of toil and poverty, three months at third-rate country schools in winter, and the eldest daughter of a large family struggling to live, such had been her story. She had done well better than many. She had been judged a smart girl. She had been the best parser and the best speller in the district school,

Starting point is 00:12:09 but district schools were not then what they are now, and the ambitions and plans and the actual knowledge of her 14-year-old son were as Greek to her. If I could go back now, she told herself mournfully, and be a girl again, a scholar in the school where Robert is, I could keep step with him, but it is too late. He is ahead of me and will go farther from me every day. Do you wonder that the tears fell? You have watched plants grow? You know how the tiny, bud appears and grows and grows opening a little every day? You dimly perceive it, you hardly realize that it is growing, but suddenly there comes a morning in which it has blossomed. Apparently, it did it all in the night. It is so with poisonous plants, I suppose. Mrs. Fenton had dimly

Starting point is 00:13:03 felt from time to time for months that her boy Robert was getting into a world of his own. When he came to her with questions born of pondering over his lessons, questions about things of which she had not even heard, she had felt it, and yet it was as if the full blossom of this bitter truth had flashed before her but this morning. Still, she did not continue to sit in that little sewing chair and weep. As I told you, such was not her nature. She brushed aside the tears with impatient hand. Well, she said, if I don't know who Severus was, nor when he built a stone wall, nor why he built it, nor anything about it, I know how to make a pudding for dinner, and I don't see but Robert enjoys puddings quite as well as though he had never heard of Severus and his stone wall. I most wish he hadn't.

Starting point is 00:14:00 So she put her pretty home in order and made her pudding with special skill and care, and Robert and Robert's father, ate and enjoyed and praised it. Yet the mother's heart was sore. She could not forget Severus. He represented to her a long line of worthies, past and to come, in her son's life, about whom she knew nothing.

Starting point is 00:14:24 End of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. CLSC When afternoon quiet, rested on the pretty house, Mrs. Fenton dressed herself with careful hand, and set forth to find rest for the weariness of her heart. She could not settle down to sewing. There was no housework to do. She did not feel like reading. She would make some calls. Not that she did not

Starting point is 00:14:56 read occasionally, other than juvenile literature. She had read Mrs. Henry Wood and Mrs. Mary J. Holmes quite extensively. It had been a mere matter of chance that she had fallen in with those authors. She did not know what to read, and Mrs. Woods, East Lynn, had fallen in her way, and therefore she had read it. In her youth, no one had directed her reading. She had read what she happened to. She continued to do that still. But Mrs. Henry Wood and Mrs. Holmes failed to satisfy her on this June day. She wanted to get away from herself and her surroundings. She determined to call on her friends. She had many friends, pleasant, chatty ladies, who talked with her cheerily about their homes, their furniture, the trials of hired help, the discomforts of housekeeping, the faults of even the

Starting point is 00:15:51 favorite dressmaker, and the queerness of the latest fashions in bonnets, all the little narrow circle of interests around which they danced. For exciting, there were bits of gossip to discuss. Somebody was always doing what he or she ought not, and affording food for thought and comment to the more circumspect. It was among such friends, and such interests as these, that Mrs. Fenton hoped to forget Severus. I do not know that it made her heart less sore to remember that the boy's father had an interest in common with his son, from which she was shut out. Robert Fenton, Sr., without being what scholars would call a mathematician,

Starting point is 00:16:34 was quick-brained where figures were concerned, and his business life had developed skill in the use of certain common-sense rules, by which he arrived at mathematical results in a way that surprised and won the respect of his son. So, many in evening, the two bent over columns of figures with interested faces, and the mother, looking on, was glad and sorry, if you can imagine both these states of mind possessing her at once. Behold her presently ushered into the pleasant parlor of Mrs. Chester, a calling acquaintance a trifle higher in the social scale than was Mrs. Fenton. That is, her parlor was larger, was carpeted in body brussels, and the tables were marble-topped,

Starting point is 00:17:20 and the upholstery was done in satin damask, and about it all there was a certain air of style, which told the looker on that money was plenty. Into the fashionable darkness and coolness of this room went Mrs. Fenton, and dropped into one of the great easy-chairs with a sigh. She was just in the mood to wish that the money so lavishly displayed about her had been hers. If it had, in her youth, she would have known all about Severus and everything else by this time. While she waited, she took up first one book and then another with a listless air, and laid them down again. Library of poetry and song. She was fond of certain kinds of poetry, or had been, but she couldn't imagine what would tempt her to read a poem today. She thought fiercely of that one which she had read long ago about those devoured.

Starting point is 00:18:14 lives. She wished she had never heard of it. She reached after a ponderous book, it had such a handsome binding, and laid it down quickly, her sigh heavier than before. History of all nations! What an immense book! How could people ever read it through, much less study it? All about Severus was in that she supposed, all about everybody, people with whom her Robert would make acquaintance and grow familiar and whom she would never know. Mrs. Fenton was astonished at and ashamed of herself. She felt a strange lump in her throat and resisted with great difficulty the temptation to break down just then and there and have a good cry. She dived after more books. She must in some way get her mind away from this one subject,

Starting point is 00:19:06 or she would disgrace herself. There was a little pink paper-covered. covered volume, hardly six inches long, lying at one side. A child's book, she thought, and she reached after it, telling herself a little bitterly that, children's books were just suited to her capacity, and mechanically turned the pages. Suddenly, a pink flush spread over her face, and, with bright eyes and eagerly parted lips, she stopped over this sentence. Severus, the Emperor, 89 years later, AD210, rebuilt this wall of stone. Lo, here was Severus himself, or at least definite knowledge concerning him. Emperor of what was he? What stone wall did he rebuild? Who built it first and for what? Every one of these questions she found answered for

Starting point is 00:20:00 her, in the space of six lines, in that wonderful pink book. Here were the magic figures that had troubled her Robert in the morning, two hundred and ten years after Christ. She had never known that date before. Be sure she will never forget it. She searched eagerly through the book for more information concerning Severus. Her enemy he had been all day. She didn't like him. It would relieve her to know that there was nothing about him which ought to demand admiration. While she was searching the small record, the door opened, and Mrs. Chester, fresh from an afternoon toilet, rustled in. "'It is very warm,' she said after the first greetings.

Starting point is 00:20:44 "'I hope you will excuse my keeping you waiting. The truth is I was in the hands of my dressmaker, and she was particularly trying this afternoon. She twisted and turned me around as though I had been a lay figure, and ripped out and pinned up, and I believe, after all, she has the darts too low. And that, you know, is a most exasperating fault. I am just worn out. Now, Mrs. Fenton had been exasperated and worn out, scores of times by the very same dressmaker.

Starting point is 00:21:17 And Mrs. Chester naturally looked to find in her a sympathetic spirit and fairly launched on the subject of dressmaking. The trials to undergo in darts too low and darts too high and short waists and narrow chests and awkward loopings and ill-hung skirts. Every lady knows there is no end to the subject. Instead of sympathy and commiseration, Mrs. Fenton, with a very animated face and voice, asked abruptly, Mrs. Chester, whose book is this?

Starting point is 00:21:50 That, said Mrs. Chester, in a surprise tone, bending forward and looking at the little book, as though she thought she might need a magnifying glass in order to view it properly. Oh, that is a little thing belonging to Miss Katie Wells of Brooklyn. She is visiting my girls. She is quite a little student, leaves her books around everywhere. A school girl?

Starting point is 00:22:13 Well, no, she graduated from school two years ago. One would think she might have done with school books, but she seems not to be. She belongs to some society, literary, you know, and she studies a little every day. I tell her she might as well be in school yet, but she seems to enjoy it. At this moment there was an influx of young ladies, bright, sparkling girls in airy summer lawns, with delicate laces at throat and wrists, and a general air of bewitchingness about them. The dining-room door that opened to admit them from outdoor life somewhere showed a glimpse of a trim figure in neutral-tinted calico moving deftly through the room,

Starting point is 00:22:56 closing blinds, folding newspapers, setting back stray chairs, restoring the room to after-dinner propriety. She looked with appreciative eyes after the billows of muslin that floated past her. Those creatures belonged to another world than hers. She lived in the work-a-day world. Mrs. Chester's dining-room and kitchen and cellar bounded her horizon. Caroline is a good faithful girl, Mrs. Chester said from the depths of her easy chair, in answer to the question that her caller could not help asking. She was a friend of Caroline's. The mistress watched the deft fingers with a complacent face, feeling a certain comfortable

Starting point is 00:23:37 sense of ownership therein. The door between the two rooms, having been carelessly closed, swung open again, and Caroline, moving to and fro, was occasionally visible. So the working and the talking went on together, with only a half-open door between them. Mrs. Fenton watched Caroline with almost a look of envy on her face. The probability was that she cared nothing about Severus. She was contented with the place which she filled. She had no boy to grow away from her and grow ashamed of her.

Starting point is 00:24:11 These thoughts recalled the existence of the little pink-covered book, and she addressed Miss Katie Wells with eagerness. "'Why that,' said Miss Katie, responding in a tone equally eager, is a Chautauqua textbook. I belong to the CLSC. I am afraid you would have laughed, could you have seen Mrs. Fenton's puzzled face. She lived nearly a thousand miles from Chautauqua, in a town not especially noted for literary attainments, and her reading, you will remember, was on a somewhat limited scale. She had actually never heard of Chautauqua. The word sounded to her like the jargon of an unknown tongue.

Starting point is 00:24:53 She knew less about CLSC than even about Severus. Miss Katie, seeing the wonder, hastened to explain. You know about Chautauqua? No. Well, it's, why, dear me, it is everything. I don't know how to describe it. Where to begin, you know. It is a lovely city in the woods on a lake.

Starting point is 00:25:15 We go there every summer. We have a cottage there, and we attend the meetings. wonderful meetings, grand speaking and grand singing, and, well, everything to enjoy. I like it better than the seaside, ten thousand times. Miss Katie was young, was in fact in the very zenith of the adjective abounding age, and she loved Chautauqua. Mrs. Fenton, however, retained her bewildered look. What had a fashionable summer resort with an occasional lecture or concert for the benefit of pleasure-seekers toying away the summer there to do with this small book full of hard names, severus and the like. Do they have a literary society there? She asked the question timidly,

Starting point is 00:26:02 feeling that she was stepping beyond the bounds of her knowledge. Oh yes, there and everywhere, almost. The CLSCs are springing up all over the land. We meet once a month, our circle does, and we have most delightful evenings. Some of the studies that I used to hate at school, and that I managed to learn very little about, I must say, as we take them up in the circle, are really delightful. Mrs. Fenton could not suppress a little sigh. It must be very pleasant to have wealth and leisure, and to go such places and improve oneself, she said earnestly. Did Miss Katie detect a quiver in the tones, or being a born Chautauquen, couldn't she refrain from breaking into a glow of

Starting point is 00:26:49 explanation. But you don't need to have wealth and leisure. That is one delightful feature of the scheme. It reaches those who have neither. Why, in our circle, some of those who have done the best are hard-working men and women who must have very little opportunity indeed for study. There is a Miss Harris, a sewing girl. She told me herself that she had never been to school but nine months in her life, and she actually stood first in our examination. She studies, evenings and mornings, and when she is walking to and from her work, and, well, she says she hardly knows how she has found time to do it, but she will get her diploma without any doubt. I should be afraid she would neglect her sewing if she were working for me. Mrs. Chester said

Starting point is 00:27:38 this, with a languid smile of indulgence, both for the enthusiast and the offender, since the latter was not working for her. Miss Katie turned toward her with flashing, eyes. No, ma'am, she doesn't, because she is trying to improve her mind is no reason why her hands should be less skillful in the work that they have learned, and she is an honorable girl, so of course she doesn't use time that doesn't honestly belong to her. No, Mrs. Chester said, but a preoccupied mind is so apt to make mistakes. Suppose, for instance, that my Caroline out there should be seized with a whim for improving her mind, which I earnestly hope she won't. Do you really believe she would be as useful and happy in her present position

Starting point is 00:28:25 as she is now? I'm sure I don't see why. If she happened to become interested in history and biography and literature generally, why should you expect it to affect her skill in bread-making or table-setting? Mrs. Chester gracefully shrugged her graceful shoulders. I don't know about it, she said, I am afraid I am not in sympathy with these new ideas. I fancy that people would do much better to stay in their proper spheres instead of trying to creep up into higher ones. Whereat the flesh in Miss Katie's eyes became very apparent. It was evident that with this sort of talk she had no sympathy. However, she controlled her voice to answer quietly. As to proper spheres, ma'am, I supposed that in this country one sphere was what he made it. I am sure neither you nor I can tell what Miss Harris may be called upon to do in life. Even if it should be always to make dresses, I shouldn't expect mine to fit any less

Starting point is 00:29:29 perfectly because she will know how to talk intelligently with me, or with her children, for that matter, if she should ever have any. Mrs. Fenton's cheeks glowed. For fourteen years she had been able to talk intelligently with her boy Robert. Oh, to do something to make sure of being able to be his intelligent companion in the 14 years to come. She almost turned her back upon Mrs. Chester in her luxurious indolence. She questioned and cross-questioned Miss Katie. She made a most unfashionably lengthy call, but when she left, she went directly home, bubbling over with new schemes, as thoroughly posted in regard to the plans and aims and directions of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, as a half-hour of contact with a young enthusiast like Katie Wells could make her.

Starting point is 00:30:22 I didn't know that Mrs. Fenton was literary in her tastes. This was what Mrs. Chester's daughter said as she looked after the departing steps of their collar. The mother smiled, with that superior air, which some women know how to assume, as she said, said, I am afraid, dear, she is one of those persons who like to appear literary without understanding much about it. And Miss Katie, who had taken a fancy to the trim little woman whose cheeks had glowed so sympathetically for her dear Chautauqua, answered with spirit. It is a real relief to find a woman occasionally who even wants to appear literary, so many of them seem to want to appear like nothing but lay figures dressed up to set off the latest fashions to the best

Starting point is 00:31:08 advantage. One little additional feature of this day stands out pleasantly in Mrs. Fenton's memory. At the supper table, she said to young Robert, as she served him to berries, Well, my son, did you pass in history, do you think? Oh, mother, there is no telling yet a while. We had a tough time. Still, I'm pretty certain about most of it. Don't you think the old fellow that I was worrying over this morning was among the first questions on our list. Who, Severus? And the silly mother's hand actually trembled as she passed him a glass of milk. Yes'm, and I'd give fifty cents this minute to know whether I got the dates right. I know it was either 210 or 102 after Christ, but I couldn't to save my life tell which.

Starting point is 00:31:59 I said the figures over twenty times, and each time I was less sure which to take. And which did you take finally? Well, at last I said, here goes for 210 right or wrong, I won't change again, and I didn't. I am glad of it, for 210 is correct. The mother's face was smiling, but her foolish heart beat so loud that it almost seemed to her, husband and son, must hear it. Young Robert dropped his fork and gazed at his mother. Are you sure, mother?

Starting point is 00:32:33 He asked her eagerly. Quite sure, my son, I was reading about him only this afternoon, and took particular notice of the date. Then young Robert, without further ceremony, dashed back his chair and came around to his mother and placed a hearty kiss on each flushed cheek. Hurrah, he said. Then I don't believe there is a single miss in my history paper. That was the only question I felt real doubtful over. Wouldn't it be just splendid mother if I were perfect in history?

Starting point is 00:33:08 This little scene confirmed in the mother's heart, if it needed any confirmation, the determination to belong forthwith to a Chautauqua literary and scientific circle, if she could find one to which to belong. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. The Outlook It often happens that what we cannot find in this world ready-made to our needs, we proceed to manufacture.

Starting point is 00:33:46 Mrs. Fenton, after diligent search, discovered that the little town of Centerville had neither part nor lot with this new and fascinating literary association. So, though it was new business to her, as soon as ever the midsummer canning and preserving were attended to, she set about bringing a circle into being. Casting about in her mind which way to venture first, shrinking from Mrs. Chester as one who would think she was trying to creep up out of her sphere, and heartily wishing that Miss Katie Wells were a resident instead of a visitor, she determined to call first on her pastor, the Reverend Mr. Williams. He was a literary man, he wrote very learned sermons that she did not understand, and read them carefully to his congregations. Surely he was the proper person to be interested in a literary society.

Starting point is 00:34:41 Perhaps if they could start one and study diligently, after the lapse of years, she might acquire learning enough to understand some of his sermons. Who knew? So behold her in his study, eagerly recounting what she knew and wished, after which listened to him. My dear Mrs. Fenton, I'm afraid you will be disappointed. This is not a literary community. You would find it hard to interest them in anything of the sort. Oh, I don't know, she answered laughing. I am not in the least literary, and I am very much interested.

Starting point is 00:35:18 It seems to me we have a good many young people who might be so much benefited. I was thinking of the ward boys as I came by. They seemed to have so few friends and so few interests. No mother, you know. What if a society of that kind could get hold of them and help them, wouldn't it be a good thing? Don't you think, Mr. Williams, they are in danger of being led into very great temptations? Mr. Williams smiled on her benevolently. My dear Madame, I am afraid you do not realize that the list of lessons which you have read over to me would be like actual Greek to the Ward Boys. The course is really for scholars, and the world.

Starting point is 00:36:00 ward boys belong to a class who have neglected what few advantages they had earlier in life, and must suffer the consequences. Then is there no help either for people who neglected their advantages, or for those who had none to neglect, must they be content to be dunces? Well, not so bad as that, my friend, in tones exceedingly benevolent. Not so bad as that. There are comforts in life, even for those who do not understand understand Greek and Latin and the like. The truth is, there are two sides to this question. There is a mischievous side to it. I really think that to set young people at work over studies about which they know nothing and about which they are destined to know nothing

Starting point is 00:36:46 will have a tendency to unfit them for the places which they are to occupy, arouse false ambitions, and encourage false hopes. That this was the baldest nonsense, little Mrs. Fenton felt in every nerve, but she did not know how to set about refuting it. She was no logician. However, after a moment's silence, she rallied sufficiently to say, Well, Mr. Williams, if James Ward were my son, I would run the risk of rousing false ambitions and encourage any sort of hopes that would keep him from hanging around the street corners smoking third-rate cigars. Mr. Williams smiled good-naturedly. I appreciate your motives. he said in his most patronizing tones,

Starting point is 00:37:33 But, my good lady, I am really afraid that the ward boys are beyond the reach of any circle, save that in which they now move. The Sabbath school has failed to reach them, and I confess I have very little hope that any literary effort will accomplish it. Now Mrs. Fenton, who knew exactly how the ward boys had been managed in the Sabbath school, was by no means so hopeless of reaching them, but she did not know how to talk to Mr. Williams. Then you really are not in favor of having a Chautauqua circle here?

Starting point is 00:38:07 She asked him after a pause, in a disappointed tone. Why, my dear friend, I see no material out of which to construct one. You are an energetic lady, I am aware, but I hardly see how you can, of yourself, compose an entire circle, scientific, or otherwise. whom could you possibly secure to start the matter for you? I did not know but you would head our list with your own name, sir. And now Mr. Williams's surprise can be better imagined than described. Well, really, he said, his whole corpulent little body shaking with laughter.

Starting point is 00:38:46 At the risk of appearing very conceited, I shall have to remind you that I completed the circle of studies which you were so kind as to read over to me, when I was, was about the age of your boy Robert or a trifle older. Mrs. Fenton's entire face was covered with a mortified glow. She was a courteous lady, having great respect for her pastor, and had meant no offense. The gentleman's manner had obliged her to think that his dignity had been offended. Besides, what was to be done with a man who believed the Chautauqua literary and scientific circle to have chosen a course of studies so scholarly that it could reach none but scholars, and at the same time so juvenile that he was through with it at fourteen.

Starting point is 00:39:31 Had Mr. Williams been other than her pastor, certain bright little sarcasms that fluttered through her brain would surely have found voice. As it was, she made haste to answer with blushes. I beg your pardon, I did not mean to intimate that you needed the study for your own benefit. I have heard that clergymen and professors and many eminent scholars take up this course for the sake of encouraging the young people." "'That is very laudable, certainly,' Mr. Williams said, resuming his benevolent manner. "'That is, if they have time for such things.

Starting point is 00:40:07 The truth is, my time is so fully occupied now with my own studies and my large congregation, that I have no leisure left to devote to school teaching, even if scholars could be found.' From this interview, Mrs. Fenton went home in haste, and ordered her house, vigorously. She canned peaches and grapes and made jelly and cleaned her china closet, made a very black fruit cake, and began a new set of shirts for her husband. Three bright long days did she give to intense physical labor, trying thus to shut out other aims. She worked laboriously, but while her hands were busy, so was her brain. She could not get away from her recent awakening. The circular of the Chautauqua

Starting point is 00:40:53 literary and scientific circle, and the private letter of instruction which had accompanied it, appeared to her as if by magic, whenever she opened her drawer. Once she thrust them in desperation under a pile of unfrequently used clothing, at the very bottom of the drawer. But young Robert, in a spasm of frantic haste, sought a clean handkerchief, and tossed and tumbled everything into royal confusion. And behold, there was the CLSC circular, the topmost article, in the Mass. Besides, the said Robert, busy with his vacation pursuits, appealed to her constantly for sympathy as heretofore, keeping ever before her heart the possible desolation of years to come, when his pursuits should be entirely among the world of books, away from her, for young Robert was a

Starting point is 00:41:44 born student. One sunny afternoon she pushed an unfinished shirt from her with the energy born of decision, and made known to the sewing machine her determination. I just believe I'll try the butler girls. They have nothing of any consequence to do, and they are young and energetic about some things. They were good scholars in school, I have heard. Now, I am really sorry that my usually quick-witted little woman made the blunder of going to people who had arrived at a grown-up age without finding anything of consequence to do, expecting to enlist their immediate interest in anything worth doing. But she did it. She mistook their position also. In their own estimation, they had work well worth doing. Miss Effie believed that to have a perfectly exquisite dress

Starting point is 00:42:37 and ten-buttoned kids and slippers of just the right size, and to go to Saratoga or Newport or Long Branch or Niagara, or anywhere that there were hotels and hops, and dance nearly every set nearly every evening, and appear on the following mornings in bewitching costumes of white lawn and yellow lace, and take walks with unexceptionable partners down to the Congress or the Columbia for a glass of water, or down to the beach for a view of the tide, or down to the falls for a dash of the spray, anywhere. These minor accessories were of the very smallest important, so that the white lawns and the sun hat and the partners were unexceptionable, was fear enough for any person. Between the dancing and the dressing and the walking and the sleeping,

Starting point is 00:43:26 to lounge on the bed with a copy of the latest novel and read the sensation portions, this was Miss Effie's idea of existence. Between these periods of life, to shop and consult the dressmaker and the milliner and to fashion new lace sets was employment in now. Imagine Miss Effie getting through with 40 minutes a day of Maravale's history of Rome. Miss Irene, the elder sister, was of a different stamp. To put it in simple language and small compass, she was a dobber. She sat for hours and hours and hours, dobbing away at a square of canvas, making square-looking cows and preposterous-looking people, and bluish-green foliage such as never grew,

Starting point is 00:44:12 and hills in danger of toppling over and upsetting the cows. From Miss Irene's window, where she sat and dobed, with her mussy palate and her many-colored fingers, there waved and glowed a picture of hill and veil, and gleaming water and shimmering sunshine, such as would have filled the heart of a real artist with great throbs of joy. I do not think Miss Irene ever spent fifteen minutes in studying the living picture. In truth, she thought it exceedingly commonplace. and would have judged a person queer who admired it. She presumed to sit there, so near to that wondrous painting,

Starting point is 00:44:50 and dob her miserable caricatures of lake and sky. She puttered in pottery also, spending large sums on old grotesque-shaped jugs, spending hours on designs that made them more grotesque still. It was on such a couple that Mrs. Fenton called for sympathy and cooperation. Miss Irene was daubing, creating a stormy sky looking down on a peaceful sunny landscape. Why should not thunder and lightning and broad still sunlight appear on canvas together if artists of Miss Irene's stamp chose to have it so?

Starting point is 00:45:27 Miss Effie was lounging, novel in hand. I have heard of Chautauqua, she confirmed. Katie Wells goes there every summer. She just raves over it. but I should think it would be decidedly slow. She says she never heard of a hop while she was there. They don't even have lawn dances or anything. Just go to meeting from morning until night.

Starting point is 00:45:51 I am sure I don't know what would tempt me to go to such a place. If they would have an artist's reunion there, I might be tempted, said Miss Irene, daubbing away complacently. But I don't believe I care much for the other things. I should really enjoy meeting those who could say, sympathize with me in my profession. But I'm not talking about going to Chautauqua, explained Mrs. Fenton. I'm sure I haven't the faintest hope of ever going there.

Starting point is 00:46:20 It is about the literary society that I want to talk to you, girls. Come now, Effie, close your book entirely and sit up straight and let us talk about it. I want you to get the others interested. We can have a real large society here if we set about it. I think literary society here. societies are just horrid," exclaimed Miss Effie, rising on one elbow. We belonged to the Bronte Club once. We read Shakespeare and Milton and all those, the dullest evenings I ever spent in my life, perfectly dreadful. I used to say then that

Starting point is 00:46:55 I'd never be such an idiot as to get caught in another literary society. Oh, well, explained Mrs. Fenton, these circles are different. It isn't just listening to one person reading something that you don't more than half understand. You have an opportunity to study the subject and find out all you can about it, and then get together and talk it up. Why, the members pledge themselves to give 40 minutes a day to study. Oh, horrible, said Miss Effie, sinking back on her couch. You needn't talk any more to me, Mrs. Fenton. The idea of studying anything for forty minutes a day is not to be endured for one moment. If you had spent as many years in school as we have, you would know how perfectly insufferable any such notion must be. We really are not

Starting point is 00:47:47 equal to it. You see, we have been through the mill. I haven't time for it, said Miss Irene serenely, as she dobed into existence a wicked-looking dog with ears and tails such as were never seen uncreated dog since the world was. If I were not so absorbed with my painting, I might give it some attention, but this passion that I have for art consumes all the time I have. I'm sure I don't see why you would want to paint any more pictures, Miss Effie said discontentedly. Her sister's passion for art was as great abhor to her as was a literary society. Our house is just overrun with pictures. I was telling me, Mama only yesterday that the parlors looked like in auctioneers' rooms, and she said she knew it.

Starting point is 00:48:38 Besides, paints and frames and all that cost ruinously. I should think you could use your money to better advantage. I'll tell you what it is, Mrs. Fenton. Her eyes brightening as she saw a chance to vindicate the literary tastes of the family. You ought to talk to Jack. He is at home, did you know it? Yes, he came last week. Jack is literary, you know. He's literary, you know. he'll appreciate your scheme, I mean to call him." Now Jack was twenty-three, and wore immaculate linen and gold eyeglasses, and carefully nurtured a mustache and carried a cane, and had just graduated. Little Mrs. Fenton knew him well as a boy, but as a man and a graduate he quenched her.

Starting point is 00:49:24 "'Oh, Chautauqua,' he said, crossing one shining boot over the other and looking down upon her from under his shining glasses with an immensely superior air. I know all about that. It was a chimerical idea in the first place. You can't take people who have grown to be men and women and make them over into scholars by a few hours of study. And as for the people rushing off there in the woods to spend their time, anybody who understands human nature might have known how that would end. American people rush into anything with enthusiasm and rush out of it equally fast. It would do very well for once, something new, you know, but who, except a visionary person, would expect it to last? It happened that the bright-eyed

Starting point is 00:50:14 woman who listened to this outburst of superior wisdom had not met Miss Katie Wells several times for nothing. She was thoroughly posted. But when are they going to begin to weary of this place? she asked the oracle. The meetings have been held there for several years, and every year the crowds increase, and the same persons keep coming. I should think it was time for a little reaction if the idea is simply in excitement. Why, I am told that the numbers who gathered there last year were far in advance of any season yet. Oh, well, said young Jack, shifting his position on easily, and putting the left shining boot over the right one. It was not so easy as he supposed to talk about a matter of which he knew almost nothing, provided the person addressed knew whereof she spoke. I suppose people enjoy the fun of going there. It is much cheaper than watering places generally,

Starting point is 00:51:13 and a certain class, like the sound of going to a literary gathering, even though they haven't two ideas in regard to literature or anything else. What I object to is this false idea that ignorant boers can buy a dozen books, and read at them less than an hour a day, and then go through an examination farce, and graduate and receive a diploma and all that nonsense. It lowers the standard Mrs. Fenton, it really does. On the whole, it was a good thing for Mrs. Fenton that she had come in contact with this young man. The insignificant absorptions of the young ladies had disheartened her, but this mustached, be-spectacled, embryo man, so wise, so vain.

Starting point is 00:51:57 of his diploma, so determined that no one else should secure one, inspired her with a determination to earn a diploma of some sort at the earliest opportunity. She was good-humored. He did not irritate her. He seemed too young and too pedantic to waste ill-humor on. She laughed at his sneer as she said, I don't see why I shouldn't know as much as I can, even if I have no chance to reach the heights of wisdom that you college boys attain. As for the diploma, I suppose it is given only for the work that is actually done. I should like one. I mean to earn it if possible.

Starting point is 00:52:37 What is the harm in learning all one can? Oh, there is no special harm, I suppose, if you really enjoy that sort of thing. But I can't quite understand the taste. Why, dear madam, it isn't learning. It is simply skimming. Superficial work, you know. The whole Chautauqua scheme about which people talk about. so much, is just as superficial as possible. And really, we scholars shrink from that sort of thing.

Starting point is 00:53:05 Whereupon Mrs. Fenton laughed again. She couldn't help it. Not at his idea, for the frank truth is she did not understand it. She was not sufficiently skilled in the use of language to be absolutely sure what that word superficial that rolled so glibly and so frequently from this scholar's tongue meant. Of course she had a general idea of the use of the word, but who knew whether this wise man could not trip her up on some of its finer shades of meaning? She would not venture on doubtful ground, but she could laugh. She knew enough of books and of study to recognize the folly of the words, we scholars, from the lips of this fair-faced youth. I don't know, she said pleasantly, I am not a scholar at all, but I can't see any reason why I shouldn't try to know as much as I can.

Starting point is 00:53:59 Then there came a new element into their conversation, even a pale-faced, quiet-voiced mother, a mother of many cares and anxieties, a woman who had come up from grinding poverty into comparative wealth without being able to lay aside the sense of care and perplexity that had been a constant accompaniment of her earlier life. Worried about her children, she was too. Not that she was not proud of Irene's paintings and Jack's wisdom and Effie's beauty, but she was a mother who had wanted more for her children. For herself, the life she had led, the burdens she had born,

Starting point is 00:54:37 the perplexities that had swarmed around her, would have been unendurable, but for that other life hid with Christ in God. She had longed to see her children feel the power and yield to the spell of this inner life. life. For years she had prayed daily for their conversion, and as yet none of them had seemed to give the vital question a serious thought. This mother, who had slipped quietly in during the conversation, listened to Mrs. Fenton and the girls and Jack, getting thus, bit by bit, the history of Chautauqua, the story of the sewing girl, who, out of her limited time and meager opportunities, was getting

Starting point is 00:55:17 so much, and the habitual look of perplexity deepened on her face. Then, as one suddenly resolved upon breaking the silence of years, she dashed into the very heart of the subject. But Mrs. Fenton, wouldn't you be afraid that anybody so eagerly interested as that sewing woman is, would be tempted to neglect? Oh, to neglect her sewing, you mean? Interrupted Mrs. Fenton, a touch of impatience in her voice. That is what Mrs. Chester says, but I am sure I don't see why, because a woman is interested in study and willing to give her bits of leisure time to it, she should at once be suspected of growing unprincipled and robbing her employer. I wasn't thinking of that, Mrs. Butler said, speaking meekly, but I was wondering

Starting point is 00:56:06 whether she wouldn't be tempted to neglect her Bible and, well, yes, I will say it, and her praying. It seems to me sometimes, as though folks who got all buried up. in an idea like Irene here with her painting, forgot all about the next world and about studying their Bibles and praying a good deal and getting ready for the end of it all. I was wondering whether this kind of study that uses up the little bits of time wouldn't be likely to be another thing in the way of their Bibles and their prayers. Now to Mrs. Fenton this argument was as a bombshell. It vanquished her. Why? Because she had no personal knowledge. no experience in the matter. She could not explain,

Starting point is 00:56:50 Oh no, Mrs. Butler, the tendency of these earnest studies is not to draw the mind away from God, but rather to strengthen faith by enlarging the circle of thought. And, absorbing though they may become, they bear no comparison with that other higher absorption, the union of the soul with Christ. If you allow them to press in between you and your best friend, Jesus, and separate you, it is your own foolishness, turning of a genuine help into a hindrance and not a necessity of the plan. None of these things could Mrs. Fenton say, because, with all her unselfish love for her son, she had never given him that best earthly treasure, a mother's prayers. Wishing the best that even Christ could do for her boy,

Starting point is 00:57:37 and heartily believing in Christ as the savior of the world, with strange inconsistency she had never asked him to be the savior, the friend, I, the elder, brother of her boy. So she had no argument with which to meet Mrs. Butler's question, other than to say, Why, I'm sure I don't see what the two things have to do with each other. I mean, I see no reason why a person couldn't be a member of a literary society and a Christian at the same time. And Irene, as she sat back to get a better view of the last splash of paint that she had transferred to canvas, said, Why, ma, what a strange idea! People. can't read their Bibles all the time?"

Starting point is 00:58:19 No, of course not, the mother answered hastily. I didn't mean anything. Then she heaved a disappointed sigh. The silence of years had been broken, and nothing accomplished. She had meant her oldest daughter's devotion to art, and her son's devotion to himself, and Effie's devotion to dress and dancing, as much and more than she meant the Chautauqua literary and scientific circle, and none of these. had understood her. As for the son, he pushed his impertinent glasses higher on his nose,

Starting point is 00:58:53 and tapped his boots with his tiny cane, and smiled down inconspicuous superiority on both these small, silly women, and believed as little in his mother's Bible as he did in Mrs. Fenton's literary aspirations. He had risen above both these follies. Oh, for a Katie Wells, with her warm heart's love anchored on the rock, and at the same time, her enthusiastic love for study to have enlightened them all. As it was, Mrs. Fenton went slowly homeward, having food for thought. End of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 of The Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Pick them up, Caroline. She poured her tea that evening, with a somewhat preoccupied air and presently said,

Starting point is 00:59:51 Robert, what is the precise meaning of superficial? Shallow, answered her husband, laughing. Who have you found this afternoon that is described by that definition? Jack Butler, I believe, she said, joining in the laugh. Only he hasn't an idea of it. He thinks he is as deep as the Atlantic, at least. Is that the exact meaning? Shall I see what the old fellow himself

Starting point is 01:00:18 says about it? This was Young Robert's way of alluding to Webster unabridged, and he dragged the great book from its shelf and gave himself up to the study of superficial. Reaching or comprehending only what is obvious or apparent, not deep or profound, he presently read, is that what you're after, mother? Yes, she said, then it is actual knowledge as far as it goes, isn't it? This to her husband. Why, yes, only it is shallow, as I told you. Oh, well, I should like to know if even a little knowledge isn't better than ignorance. Suppose a stream isn't very deep.

Starting point is 01:01:01 If it is water that we need, it is much better than no stream at all, isn't it? What are you driving at, was Mr. Fenton's wondering query? Whereupon she gave him the history of the CLSC, as it had grown in her mind, omitting all particulars concerning Severus and making no reference to Mrs. Butler's bombshell, which had troubled her all the way home. What if she ought to give herself up to the study of the Bible and win young Robert's attention to that? But he was not interested in the Bible, and lamentable truth, neither was she, and he was interested in study, and would continue to be. She must be able to sympathize with him.

Starting point is 01:01:46 It is a pity to have to record it, but the sad fact is, she had never come in contact with a mind that had impressed her with enthusiastic love for the Christian life, as a half-hour's talk with Katie Wells had impressed her with Chautqua. Doubtful as to how her husband would look upon this new enthusiasm, whether he would laugh at it as simply amusing or frown on it as folly, she watched his face and discovered a swift, keen look bestowed upon his son. which telegraphed to her as plainly as though he had spoken, the fact that the father had his hours of foreboding, lest the present advantages he was able to give his boy should put leagues between them by and by. Beyond this sudden look, however, he offered no opinion, but young Robert was eager with his interest, and voluble in expressions of delight. Let's you and I have a circle, mother, and next summer will go to Chautauqua. I know all about that. Sam Wheeler's uncle Will goes, and he says it's just grand. Wouldn't that be a splendid plan, mother? All this time, and although it has taken but a short space to tell about it,

Starting point is 01:03:01 the actual living stretched over several weeks, there was one person eagerly interested in Mrs. Fenton's efforts to establish a branch CLSC, This was none other than Mrs. Chester's deft-handed Caroline. A few words are needed in order that you should understand this handmaiden's character. Among her earliest recollections was the one of being carried across the fields through the dew of the early mornings in her mother's arms and established on the kitchen floor in the home on the hill, there to amuse herself with clothes-basket and clothes-pins,

Starting point is 01:03:37 with an occasional treat in the shape of a bar of soap, and a row of shining real pins. By and by there came to her a delightful opportunity. The fair baby from the nursery on the hill came out in white garments and was established on a bright rug spread over the clean kitchen floor, and she brought, oh joy, gaily painted blocks, red and yellow and green, with wonderful pictures and wonderful letters gleaming on them. Pick him out, Caroline, the mother had said, her strong-beared arms akimbo, as she watched the small hands finger the blocks. Pick them out if you can. Maybe you can learn them all. Who knows? And in course of time, Caroline did pick them out, every one. And the little incident serves to give the keynote to her life. Pick it up,

Starting point is 01:04:30 Caroline. Maybe you'll have use for it, who knows? Whether it was a chance to learn the gaily painted letters, or to learn to write, or to learn to make bread, or sweep a room, or cut a garment, this one idea, with variations, was held before her by a wise and ambitious mother, a mother who had nothing but strong, good sense, and unwavering faith in God, to leave as a heritage to her daughter on that day when, just after the girl was 15, she was suddenly called upon to leave her laborious life and enter upon her inheritance. Since which time, Caroline, accepting the dowry, had gone steadily on her way, picking out and picking up, saying often to herself in tender, reverent tone, I may have use for it, who knows? This principle carried out had made her clear of brain and quick of hand,

Starting point is 01:05:27 thoughtful, watchful, invaluable in the kitchen, in the sewing room, in the sick room, and had brought her face to face at last with the Chautauqua literary and scientific circle, eager to pick up from it. She may have use for it, who knows? One evening, just as the delicate china teacups were being washed at Mrs. Fenton's, Caroline presented herself, arrayed in one of her favorite gray and white calicoes, as carefully made as though it had been a silk, and, quite as a matter of course, so unused were her hands to idleness, reached for the tea-towel and dried the pretty china while she talked. She was somewhat acquainted with Mrs. Fenton. They had washed dishes together before. Mrs. Fenton was an invaluable aid at church fairs and festivals and sewing

Starting point is 01:06:16 societies, and as Mrs. Chester's share in church work of this sort, was always performed by proxy, namely by Caroline, it had followed as a matter of course that the two efficient women had worked together and grown to understand each other. Mrs. Fenton, she began, with characteristic directness, may I join your CLSC? Why? answered Mrs. Fenton, astonished, yet laughing. If we only had one for you to join, I would be glad. I don't seem to find any people who are willing to be made into a circle. Then the whole subject was carefully discussed, both women entering into the details of their experience. Caroline last. I never had any regular opportunities, she explained. Mother did her best and did wonderful things

Starting point is 01:07:09 for us, too. But father was sick, and times were hard. They always are hard, you know, Mrs. Fenton, to people who have nothing. And I just had to work even when I was a baby. Why, I never went to a regular school but one afternoon in my life. I have just picked up things. Now it has come to be second nature. I almost have to keep picking up whether I want to or not. This time I want to. I know about that CLSC. I happened perhaps a year ago to hear some people talking about it. They had been to Chautauqua, and they sat before me in the cars. That time I went to Chicago, you know, to take care of Rennie Chester and bring her home, and they talked nearly all the time about the meetings at Chautauqua and the new literary society. I learned a great deal that afternoon. I made up my mind then

Starting point is 01:08:05 and there that I would be a circle myself as soon as I could bring it to pass. This last with a modest little laugh. I wrote to the superintendent about it. Fortunately for me, a young girl in front of these ladies grew interested and asked a dozen questions. I learned just how to proceed. He answered me, a good letter. I think I shall always keep that letter for more reasons than one. Do you know, Mrs. Fenton? Speaking slowly and with a hesitating sense of her own great poverty.

Starting point is 01:08:38 It is the only letter I ever received. I bought one of the books when I could. I have to do things slowly, you see. I've commenced and I like it. But there are a great many things that I don't understand, and I long so to ask questions of somebody. Miss Katie Wells was very kind to me. She told me a great deal about the circle. I didn't tell her I was trying to do anything in that way. I thought Mrs. Chester might not like it. But when I heard a few days ago that you were going to start a

Starting point is 01:09:10 society, I decided to do a very bold thing and ask to be allowed to join. Now, at the risk of lowering my friend Mrs. Fenton in your estimation, I shall have to have to do a very bold thing and ask to be allowed to join. Fenton in your estimation, I shall have to admit that a struggle had been going on in her mind during this interview. She was not a proud woman in the unlovely sense of the word. At least she did not know that she was, but she had looked forward to the thought of gathering around her scholars, men and women of cultured minds, to whom she could look up, of whom her son Robert stood in admiring awe, of whom she could learn. It did seem to be a much of whom she could learn. It did a downfall to have, instead of the minister and the professor, and perhaps a lawyer or two,

Starting point is 01:09:55 only Mrs. Chester's second girl. She meditated telling Caroline that she was discouraged, that there was no use in trying to form a circle in that town, and she meant to give it up. But as she listened to Caroline's quaint, yet quiet story, her mood changed. Then you actually have a circle already established, she exclaimed in great astonishment, And here you are asking if you can join mine, when I haven't been able to secure one member yet. I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll join yours right away, and we'll have a CLSC in spite of them. You should have seen the pretty pink flush that's stolen to Caroline's cheeks at the sound of these cheery words of fellowship. She had lived a lonely life hitherto, serving others, yet never coming into the magic circle which meant friendship.

Starting point is 01:10:48 For years she had felt herself hovering on the outside of things which she was capable of enjoying. In Mrs. Fenton's hearty words, she saw a chance. Surely here was something for her hungry heart to pick up. The CLSC had already widened the boundaries of her life. One doubtful backward glance did Mrs. Fenton give, as she turned away from the china closet, all the pretty dishes safely housed within. She knew well what a busy life Mrs. Chester's second girl must live. How few the spare minutes for study must be.

Starting point is 01:11:26 Where was she to find even forty of them in a day unless she stole them from needed sleep or from something else? Caroline was a Christian. What if Mrs. Butler were correct, and all these new plans should tempt her to neglect her Bible? Mrs. Fenton neglected her own Bible. Had she not been such a careful housekeeper, the dust of disuse would have accumulated upon it.

Starting point is 01:11:51 But then, Mrs. Fenton was not a Christian, and by some curious process of reasoning, she made herself think that that was a good excuse for neglect of her duty. She had no desire to lead Caroline astray, and she determined to sound a note of warning. Do you never feel afraid that books and study and matters of that sort

Starting point is 01:12:12 may tempt you to neglect more important things? I don't mean your work. She hastened to add, as she saw the pink flush deepened on Caroline's cheek, and guessed that she might have been called to bear hard hints of this sort from her mistress. I know you are strictly conscientious, but, Well, I mean more important things, you know. I have heard people say that there was a danger of neglecting the most important book for others. Then did Caroline's eyes brighten, albeit there was a wondering look on her face.

Starting point is 01:12:45 Dear Mrs. Fenton, she said earnestly, do you know one great reason why I want to study all these things is to know more about this wonderful world that my father has made? I want to study the works of his hands. Don't you see this could not make me less interested in the book that he had written for me? And surely, learning more and more of the things which he has done will not make me less eager to talk with him. You never become so much interested in Robert's clothes that you forget all about Robert's real self, do you?

Starting point is 01:13:18 And yet I know that there are people whom study tempts to neglect the Bible and the closet. I have watched young ladies and gentlemen whom I thought were doing that very thing. But it seemed to me all the time that their motives for study were a good deal at fault, and also that they really knew very little about real communion with Christ at any time. I don't think it was the fault of the studies. You know people can make a temptation out of anything. At least I suppose they can. I have never had any temptation to neglect Christ.

Starting point is 01:13:53 Dear Mrs. Fenton, since my mother went away, he has been my only friend. Until now he has grown so dear, I could not get along without his constant presence. And Mrs. Fenton, watching the earnest face from which the clear eyes looked out, felt an immense respect rising within her for Mrs. Chester's hired girl. Also, she decided that there was evidently a type of religion about which Mrs. Butler knew nothing.

Starting point is 01:14:22 Also, she made one resolve, that, come what would of it, she would from this time forth be Caroline's friend. It happened that the evening which followed this inauguration of the Centerville CLSC was a somewhat eventful one in Mrs. Fenton's quiet world. She and Caroline, having planned what they would do and how they would do it, Caroline went home happy-hearted. Young Robert closed his books, kissed his mother good-night,

Starting point is 01:14:52 and went away to his room. The father, after carefully turning the keys on the outside world, came and stood in front of his wife's chair and looked thoughtfully down at her. So you can't start your circle, eh? Oh, yes indeed. Or rather, I found one already started. Mrs. Chester's Caroline began several months ago. She is the first sensible girl I have found in six weeks.

Starting point is 01:15:19 Over this information, her husband whistled. He had always liked Caroline, but he had felt a suspicion that his wife remembered that she was Mrs. Chester's second girl. Two to a circle, eh, he presently said. Suppose I come in and we make it a triangle. Will you, Robert? Oh, will you? And in her eagerness she rose up and stood beside him. Why, I don't see anything to hinder.

Starting point is 01:15:47 You and I have started out together in enterprises before now and made a comfortable thing of it. I must say I approve of this idea as far as I understand it. I fancy it will be a good thing for the boy to see us interested in what just now interests him most. Besides, it will help to keep him in sight. We've got a smart boy, Martha, a talented boy, and we are proud of him as we should be. We don't want to hold him back, and we don't want to lose his company.

Starting point is 01:16:17 The only way I see is to trot on after him, and I'm ready. Now only those who have had a dreary sort of unspoken feeling that the absorptions of business and the wider range of thought offered by the outside world are possibly drawing away their husband's interests from the home and the wife can understand the throbbing's of Mrs. Fenton's heart. Was it possible for this circle to draw the family into a closer circle? As a usual thing, every town of considerable size has its intellectual giant, its man of Mark, looked up to, quoted, admired, and reverenced. Centerville had such.

Starting point is 01:16:59 The Reverend Gilbert Monteith, D.D., a very eminent professor in a very renowned college, a linguist of unusual powers, a pulpit orator, a scientific, man in a special sense, a traveled man who spoke of the old world with the freedom and familiarity that others used in speaking of their native village, a cultured man in the largest and best sense of that sometimes abused word. What of excellence or strength, mental or moral, could not be applied to Dr. Monteth. And Centerville was his native town, and he had come home to it for a year of rest. Within a few days after the forming of the triangular circle, as Mrs. Fenton was passing out of her front gate, Dr. Montief came down the elm-lined walk, lifted his hat courteously, and paused

Starting point is 01:17:51 with a genial, Mrs. Fenton, I believe. Mrs. Fenton, much fluttered, for she had not even a bowing acquaintance with the great man, admitted that such was her name. Whereupon he proceeded to state that he had heard that she was about forming a Chautauqua literary and scientific circle, that he was much interested in those societies, had looked into their method of work with a great deal of care, watched their growth and success with pleasure, and if it would be agreeable, would like to be considered a member of their branch

Starting point is 01:18:24 and attend the meetings when he was in town. Imagine Mrs. Fenton's sensations. She, blushing and stammering, tried to explain. It was only the weakest of weak little efforts, not worthy of being numbered among the CLSCs of the land. It had almost no members. The great man smiled on her genially, was glad that she had not been disheartened by trifles, hoped and believed that she would succeed. He would like to review the studies of his early days.

Starting point is 01:18:57 Perhaps at the same time he was refreshing his own memory, he might be helping along some of the younger ones. course others would come in. There was no reason why the enterprise shouldn't succeed in that town as it had elsewhere. He would himself invite certain of his young friends to join them if she was willing. In short, when Mrs. Fenton finally took leave of him and walked away, it was with the feeling that the success of their poor little CLSC was assured. End of Chapter 4. by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. The Ward Boys discuss the situation.

Starting point is 01:19:47 They were respectively Jim and Joe. It is doubtful if they realized how the full Christian names would sound is applied to themselves. Seventeen years, in fact, nearly 18 years, had they lounged through the world being familiarly known by those shortened names. Twins they were, and the mother who had delighted in them for nearly eight years had suddenly left them. They vividly remembered standing together shivering in the gloom of a rainy autumn day, drawing near to its clothes, and watching with terrific curiosity the ugly-looking box lowered into an uglier looking hole in the ground, feeling sure that within that box was their mother. Hadn't they seen her lying there? They vividly remembered how the wind groaned among the leafless branches of the great old

Starting point is 01:20:37 tree, which stood just at the foot of that awful hole. They vividly remembered just how the feet of the bearers sounded as they shuffled through the dulled yellow and brown leaves that bestrewed their path. I don't think that either of them in all the intervening years had ever listened to the toll of the church bell without being carried instantly back to that day and that box and that hole, and thinking just how the earth sounded on the box as the sexton rattled it in, and the minister said, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. There were certain other things about those early days that they vividly remembered. For instance, their mother's kisses, for she had been a mother who had kissed them often and tenderly, stealing sweet little chances

Starting point is 01:21:27 to do it when she washed their faces and brushed their brown curls, for in those days they had brown curls. She had not said, Jim and Joe, but Jamie dear and little Josie. Sometimes in especially gloomy weather, nights when the lights were out, they almost fancied they could hear her voice, but they never spoke of these things to each other. They never heard the diminutive names anymore, and they had never, since she went away, received any of those little tendernesses which boys as they grow older are half ashamed of, and always love. Their father was a good sort of. of dull man, silent by nature, repressive, loving his wife and mourning her truly, yet never

Starting point is 01:22:14 speaking to her of his love, nor showing it in a hundred nameless ways dear to a wife's heart, rarely speaking of her after she was gone, loving his children truly, yet showing it as little, silent at home and dreary, apt to speak sternly when he spoke at all, absorbed in business, disliking noise, whether it were made by shouting in loud laughter or by quarrelling, equally stern and hushing both. I do not know that it is much wonder that his boys grew up unacquainted with him, shrinking away from him, seeking to find their pleasures elsewhere than in the dreary house, nor do I much wonder that they were a sore disappointment to their father. Perhaps it was in the inevitable nature of things that these two results should be. I know they

Starting point is 01:23:05 would have been surprised and incredulous, had anyone hinted to them that their father loved them. He was invariably severe nowadays, not that they wondered much at that, they knew as well as any persons could that they had grown up to be street loungers, with nothing in or about them to admire. There were times in the darkness of those nights of which I spoke that they were sorry for this result, but this they never said to each other. On the particular evening in which I introduce them to you, they were sitting in their own room. A dingy room it was, in fact it was that drearyest sort of a room, one where there was furniture and material enough out of which to make a pleasant place had only skillful and also loving hands

Starting point is 01:23:52 had to do with it. As it was, the carpet was dingy, not only with long use, but with careless sweeping. The chairs were broken or maimed. dead had lost part of its lower posts. The bed was spread up with a dark blue and brown comforter, while clothing and toilet articles, and old boots and old hats, lay about it, in wild, and at the same time desolate confusion. A mother would have known that no mother ever entered that room. For that matter, there are some fathers who would have been sure that no father came either, and they would have been correct. Mr. Ward long ago ceased to look for his children in their

Starting point is 01:24:33 room. Something of interest was being discussed, or at least considered. Jim, his feet lifted to a comfortable position on the table before him, in dangerous proximity to the smoky lamp, thoughtfully chewed an unusually large quid of tobacco while he gazed at a sheet of note paper where on certain lines were written in a delicate feminine hand. What is the CLSC anyhow? It was the smaller, and though they were twins, what appeared to be the younger brother, Joe, who asked the question. He sat just across the table, meditatively nursing his knee,

Starting point is 01:25:12 his eyes fixed on an envelope which had evidently covered the letter, and which was addressed, Monsieur's James and Joseph Ward. Well, said James, withdrawing his limbs, from the table and spitting vigorously before he answered? It's a sort of a literary society, just as she says. You read the letter. But what do you suppose it's all about? Why, it's for fun as much as anything most likely. There are different ways of having that article, you know. I think likely it is made up of a kind of people that get most of their fun out of books. They discuss things, I presume, like a debating society or something of that sort. This shatocat.

Starting point is 01:25:53 is a kind of camp meeting place. I heard Bob Fenton telling the boys in the store something about it last week. Crowds go there every summer and have a kind of a genteel spree. I don't know what they do. It isn't exactly a camp meeting, for he was telling of some very funny times they had there, comic lectures and the like. There's a fellow who makes pictures with chalk quicker than lightning, real good likenesses, too, so that the folks recognize them. I couldn't make take out quite what it all was, but I know this thing, this CLQ-P-X, whatever it is, is mixed up with it. Bob seemed to think it would be jolly, but then he is all four books. That's a cute youngster, that Bob Fenton.

Starting point is 01:26:38 He is better company now than lots of the older fellows. How would young Robert's mother's heart have throbbed in foreboding? Could she have heard that admiring sentence about her cherished boy? Well for Mrs. Fenton that she had designs, real motherly designs, on the ward boys, and had already spread her net to try to catch them. She may do more tortoise shield for her own boy Robert by this movement than she will ever know of this side heaven. Not that the ward boys mean to do him harm, but they have been street loungers, not to use a harsher term than that, for several years, and they have already discovered that Bob is a cute fellow. The boys had company this evening. He sat now in his favorite lounging attitude, his elbow

Starting point is 01:27:26 leaning on the dusty table, his frowsy head leaning on his hand, while with the fingers of the other hand he beat a tattoo on the table, leaving marks of his fingers in the dust. This was Paul Adams. How he chanced to be given a name, which was so utterly at variance with his character, would be a mystery if sensible people had the naming of children, and were in the habit of of waiting to see in what direction they would develop before settling that important question. However, I do not know that people who were acquainted with Paul Adams' mother ever wondered at her choice of name. He was her one treasure in what had been to her a world of trial and disappointment. He was but a cooing baby when his father died suddenly and violently, leaving

Starting point is 01:28:13 Mrs. Adams to take up life's burden alone and support herself and baby as best she might. This is such a commonplace statement that it will at once commend itself to you as true. I suppose there is hardly a person in the world who cannot recall a history similar to this. In spite of which fact, each person's sorrow remains distinct and individual. Such things refuse to be lumped, and still the old heart cry goes on, there is no sorrow like unto my sorrow. Mrs. Adams had a little bit of a neat house and a tiny garden to help along. But there had been times when she had mournfully said,

Starting point is 01:28:53 if it were not for my house, I would go away and try to get work somewhere else, but it seems as though I must stick by my place to live in, though I can't eat it nor burn it. From such a home as you can imagine that to be had Paul Adams come up until he was in his 18th year. A queer boy was Paul. His mother was the only one who wouldn't own, and yet certainly she was the only one who was keenly alive to the fact that he was a disappointment. In her way, she was as careful a mother as Mrs. Fenton. She had spent hours over the darning and patching that she patiently did for him, forming plans for his future, plans to give him an education, to start him in the world,

Starting point is 01:29:40 to make life brighter for him than it had ever been for her. This was when he was a little boy. She had struggled and sacrificed in order to keep him neatly clothed, and to give him tastes now and then of what other happier boys with fathers had to brighten their lives. Secretly, she had earnestly desired that he would grow up to be a great man. Yet she was a true mother, in that she put, first of all, the desire that he should be a good man. For this, she worked the hardest in her weak, timid way. Often and often, she read over the story of his namesake, Paul the Apostle, glorying in the power and moral grandeur of that character.

Starting point is 01:30:22 It was a dim memory of this great man that had caused her to name her two-day-old baby, Paul. Perhaps the very absence of courage in her own nature made her long the more ardently to see it develop in her boy. But it gradually became apparent, even to her, that there were certain things that Paul would not do. In the first place, he would not take kindly to the idea of an education. To be sure, his opportunities had been confined to the Communist of Country Schools, with one of those poor drudges for a teacher who taught because she knew nothing else to do

Starting point is 01:30:58 to keep soul and body together, and who concentrated all the powers of her being in a grand hatred of her work. But the fact remained that others had come out, even from such teaching, with a passably fair start on the road to learning, and had acquitted themselves with credit afterwards in the academy ten miles distant, which was the center of Mrs. Adams' educational aspirations. Paul was not a credit to himself during the days which he spent in the stuffy schoolroom full of vile smells and flies in summer, and slippery with mud and snow in winter. He whittled much, he made and threw many paper balls, he ate many apples,

Starting point is 01:31:41 He tripped the feet of any careless boy who passed that way. But as to studying, he did just as little of that as possible, and made so uncreditable an appearance on examination days that when he was 14, his discouraged mother took him out of school altogether, and set him to hoeing in the garden. This was less trying to his nerves than the schoolroom. Still, it was anything but a desirable life, and young Paul soon learned how to manage,

Starting point is 01:32:10 so as to get along with very little exercise of that kind. Not that he ever refused to work, when his mother hinted that the garden ought to be hoed, he went at it. The main trouble lay in the fact that he did not stay at it. Long before noon, his hoe would be found sticking in a hill of potatoes, and Paul himself would be down at the corner, lounging on the steps of the largest grocery in the town. In short, from any standpoint that you were pleased to look at him,

Starting point is 01:32:40 Paul was a bitter disappointment to his mother. Perhaps, if it were not a strange thing to say, I might also hint that his mother was, in a sense, a disappointment to Paul. She never scolded him outright, but she made endless whining talks at him that sometimes drove him as near to distraction as a good-natured boy can come. By means of these weak talks, she led him gradually to feel that the ugly little kitchen in which she sat and sewed was the most most dismal and hopeless spot in all the wide world, and every opportunity was to be seized

Starting point is 01:33:15 for escaping from its atmosphere. Yet his mother would have promptly and unquestioningly have given up her life at any time to save his. She loved him so, and certainly he, in his lazy fashion, loved his mother. If the mother had known the truth concerning him, the reason for his utter lack of application at school was not because he had not fair mental powers, but because he had failed to see any occasion for using them in that direction. The teachers into whose hands he had fallen had an utterly unfascinating way of presenting truths. To Paul's mental vision, there was simply a confused drawl of words to spell, and words to read, and figures to count, without a suggestion as to how they were to be applied outside of the spelling book or

Starting point is 01:34:04 arithmetic. Paul could not see any way in which they would be likely to help him, either to hoe the garden or get rid of hoeing it. He had no occasion to spell words. Why should he care to know how they were spelled? He had no letters to write, why should he desire to write well? He had no calculations to make, nothing to buy, or what was equally to the point, nothing to buy with. What earthly difference could it make to him how much six percent interest on a certain sum of money would be in a year? Where was the money? Not in his hands certainly, nor in his mothers. And those who had it seemed entirely capable of reckoning its market value without his help. This was the way that young Paul had reasoned.

Starting point is 01:34:52 Not allowed, mind you, he knew various platitudes that might be urged against this sort of talk had he ventured to produce it. They did not strike him as having any direct bearing on himself, and he didn't want to hear them. All he wanted of life was a good time, and, let alone, he fancied that he might be able to make one. The fact is, Paul Adams' faculties were all asleep, and nobody with whom he came in contact had brains enough to awaken them, or interest enough in him to try. Which was it? His religious education was not one wit in advance of the intellectual. Not that in this his mother could not have been his teacher, at least in a degree, for through all the trials of her life she had kept an abiding faith in her lord and was absolutely

Starting point is 01:35:43 certain at times of this one thing, that a crown of life was laid up for her. For sure she was that she should love his appearing. Yet she was, she was, like many another Christian, in that the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of poverty, had made her look upon the crown and the glory as sure indeed, but so far away that their light was obscured by mountains of daily frets and cares that rose between. Also, she was one of those strange mothers, who, though she had an eager, and at times I might almost say, a consuming desire to see her son a Christian, yet never mentioned the subject to him in a direct way.

Starting point is 01:36:23 but contented herself with feeble hints which exasperated him. So far as he had been able to discover, religion was a wishy-washy affair, amounting to very little, and that little he neither understood nor cared for. Since the feeble restraint of school days had been withdrawn, and the garden had proved too dull and dreary to endure, and the woodpile, by reason of its smallness, really required very little time,

Starting point is 01:36:52 Paul had degenerated into a streetlofer. His vices were not strongly marked. As yet, he drank nothing stronger than cider and an occasional glass of beer, the reasons being that he had no money to spend in that direction or any other, and no hereditary tastes in that line to indulge. However, as the force of example was strong about him, his mother lived in constant terror, for she was only too well aware that money seemed always to be forthcoming for the indulgence of such tastes. Every night she went early to her bed in winter to save lights and fuel, and in summer for very weariness of herself. But she lay awake listening for the sound of her boy's footsteps, afraid that she would not hear them, that he would be tempted to late hours and the vices which accompany them, afraid to hear

Starting point is 01:37:45 them lest they might be staggering, rising on one elbow at last to listen for their nearer approach in an agony of fear and apprehension, and lying down at last with a tremulous, thank God for one more night, when they sounded firmly on the walk. Strange to say, young Paul was rarely out later than ten o'clock, the sole reason being that he had a good-natured desire not to scare his mother. He smoked cigars when he could get them, not that he began by being particularly fond of them, in fact he found it unusually hard work to learn. He had to devote to this accomplishment the courage and perseverance that would have told well for him in other directions. But it is a taste that once acquired a boy will gratify

Starting point is 01:38:33 if he can. So, to put it in brief, at the time our story begins, Paul Adams is an ignorant, good-natured, tobacco-chewing, cigar-smoking streetlofer. He had one friend. In fact, I ought to say that he had two friends, namely the Ward boys. It was so rarely that the names of the twins were separated, that it seems unnatural to use the singular number in connection with either of them. Yet it was Jim who contrived to be the leading spirit, both of his brother and of Paul Adams. Not that they were in the least alike, if I must admit the fact, Jim Ward was a quick-witted energetic young scamp, much farther along on the downhill road than was Paul. their intimacy might be explained in part by the fact that it was Ward's nature to lead,

Starting point is 01:39:24 and Paul was sufficiently good-natured as a rule to allow himself to be led. Occasionally, it is true, he resisted the other with a steady, off-hand determination that surprised and vexed him. For instance, there had been plans developed several times that involved staying out nearly, if not quite, all night. Those plans Paul had steadily refused to carry. out. All coaxings and all ridicule fell on him unheeded. He good-naturedly replied to the one and laughed off the other. He simply would not stay out all night, nor half the night, and scare his mother.

Starting point is 01:40:04 She has botheration enough the land knows, he was wont to explain, and I'm bound she shan't have that. By degrees, the ward boys learned that when Paul spoke in that quiet tone, which hinted at a sort of reserve strength, they might as well coax a stone. The trouble was he very rarely used that tone, but good-humoredly allowed himself to be let along the downhill road as fast as the ward boys cared to travel, without putting forth a hand to hold himself back. On the evening in question, Paul Adams, as I have said, sat in a listless attitude, seemingly uninterested in the conversation between the brothers. Social distinction, are very queer things. It is an unspoken, but at the same time clearly recognized fact to the Ward

Starting point is 01:40:53 boys, that they were several degrees above Paul Adams. Why, perhaps, would have been somewhat difficult for them to explain. It is true that they lived in a brick house of large size and respectable appearance, at least below stairs. It is also true that Mr. Ward Sr. had a respectable bank account, and was adding to it steadily. Yet why these things were the same thing. things should have actually added to the importance or social standing of his sons is perhaps a problem. The affirmative answer to it seems, however, to have been accepted by the world. Certainly, the ward boys never doubted it, therefore the conversation concerning the CLSC had been carried on entirely between themselves. Presently, their guest raised himself to a sitting posture,

Starting point is 01:41:41 took deliberate aim, and snapped a peanut shell so skillfully that it hit Joe on the next, knows, as he said. I suppose you would be kind of astonished if you knew that I had had a bid to that meeting. You? The tone sufficiently indicated the astonishment. Yes, sir, I, just as sure as you live and breathe the breath of life. It's my opinion that it is a nicer looking one than yours. The writing is nicer anyhow, handsome enough to be print, signed with a flourish, too, such as they say would be about the hardest a counterfeit of any that are made. I showed it to that new bank clerk this very day, and he said he was pretty good at copying, but he shouldn't like to have to undertake that. Who wrote it? Well, to the best of my knowledge, the man wrote it who signed his

Starting point is 01:42:31 name to it. The writing is the same. It's a private letter, you see. None of your circulars. And with visible signs of pride on his face, young Paul unfolded and spread before the two pairs of eyes that immediately bent forward to examine it, a sheet of heavy cream-laid paper, which contained in a few cordial sentences, a hearty invitation to be present at the next meeting of the CLSC, to be held at Mrs. Fenton's, signed Gilbert L. Monteth. The ward boys stared at the name, then at each other, with astonished and significant glances. They hardly knew what they thought. Still, whatever they might come to think of it, the present fact was that, for some reason unknown to them, Paul Adams had been very highly honored. They

Starting point is 01:43:20 could not help having a feeling of respect for a fellow who held in his possession an autographed letter from Dr. Gilbert Monteith. James Ward rose abruptly, strolled to the one window, and looked out into the darkness, while Joe carefully refolded the valuable letter and returned it to the owner. Presently, he at the window spoke his mind. I tell you what it is, boys, I for one, am going to that meeting. I mean to see what there is of it. I've got a chance to see, and I mean to. You can do as you like, but I intend to go. Up to that moment, Paul Adams had been extremely doubtful about his ever putting in an appearance at the CLSC, whatever that was. But on being appealed to by Joe as to what he was going to do, he replied with alacrity,

Starting point is 01:44:12 I've no kind of a notion of not going. Suppose a fellow would slight such an invitation as that. Well, then, said Joe, somewhat ruefully. I don't see, but I've got to go. There's no fun in staying away alone, but I'm blessed if I can see any fun in going. Thus was the momentous question decided. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibrovoc's recording is in the public domain. Launched Paul Adams had an item of news to communicate to his mother the next morning at the breakfast table. He commenced it in the form of a question.

Starting point is 01:45:02 Mother, have I got a clean shirt? Mother opened her eyes in surprise at the question. Paul was not given to caring whether his garments were clean or soiled, and was apt not to don the carefully ironed and carefully men garment that she regularly laid out on the bed for him every Sunday morning, until after earnest explanations on her part that she must have the other one to wash. Behold, now it was only Thursday, and he was inquiring for a clean shirt. Why, yes, she said, hesitatingly.

Starting point is 01:45:38 She had a habit of speaking hesitatingly, as though she were never sure but what she was about to say would not be better left unsaid. Your Sunday shirt is all washed and mended and looks nice, though the bosom is giving out a little. You ought to have two new shirts, but I don't know how to manage it. I really don't. Never mind, in not most good nature. I don't want two shirts, one will do, but I want it tonight. I'm going out this evening. Likely as not, I won't be in quite as early as usual. Can't tell. The widow Adams set down her cup of weak tea untasted and gazed in dismay at her son. It was coming now, that nameless, dreary something which she had been dreading all these years.

Starting point is 01:46:29 Paul was going to fix himself up and go off to some disreputable place and do some disreputable thing. Going out! She repeated, dismay in voice and manner. Why, where are you going? Oh, going to spend the evening with some of the fellows. I'm not going far away, but I may be later than common. Well, but Paul, you always spend the evening with some of the fellows or somewhere else. I'm sure I can't tell when you've spent one with me.

Starting point is 01:47:01 There's something more than that, because if there isn't, why should you need a clean shirt? Your Sunday shirt! Remember, if you put it on tonight, why, then you won't have one for Sunday as far as I can see. "'I can't wash and ironed and mend the other between this and Sunday. "'I don't believe, on account of that sewing for Mrs. West that I promised this week. "'Don't go off with any of them disgraceful fellows, Paul. Don't do it!' Paul chuckled. He had a vision of himself sitting in Mrs. Fenton's parlor. He had passed the house and glanced up at it often enough to feel secure that there was a pretty nice parlor within,

Starting point is 01:47:42 himself sitting there in company with Dr. Gilbert Monteith, for instance, and his mother calling him a disgraceful fellow. For some reason not understood by himself, he was not disposed to tell his mother anything about the invitation out. The shirt will do well enough for Sunday, too. Don't bother. This was all the explanation he offered. But why should you want a clean shirt in the middle of the week? she persisted. There's some going on that you don't tell me about." Whereupon the graceless boy chuckled again. I'm going to the CLSC, he giggled, going to join it. The look of horror on his mother's face satisfied his ideas of fun.

Starting point is 01:48:29 He knew very little about those mystic letters himself, but still he was certain that he was better posted than his mother. He was dimly conscious that he had been honored. His mother would be sure to think that it was something disgraceful, and the idea was irresistibly funny." "'What's that?' she fairly gasped the words. "'Blessed if I know,' said Paul, laughing so hard that his cup of tea nearly choked him. "'I'm going to-night to find out.'

Starting point is 01:49:00 "'Don't do it, Paul! I beg of you, don't! It's one of them disgraceful secret things I've heard of them. Oh, you needn't laugh! I'm older than you, and I've heard of a sight of things that you don't know nothing about. As long ago as when your father was a young man, they tried to get him to join, and he never would. I won't do nothing that I can't tell my mother about if I'm a mind to, he said, and he stuck to it. How many times I've thought of that, and hoped that my boy would never do anything that he couldn't tell his mother.

Starting point is 01:49:34 and here you are going into it, and you'll go right straight down to ruin, I'm sure of that. Paul was in no way dismayed at this prospect. In truth, he had heard enough about it to become hardened. His mother had been sure, ever since he could remember, that he was going to ruin, and had told him so with tears. He was inexorable, he would make no explanation, and he would insist on putting on his clean shirt that very evening and going to that disgraceful CLSC. I hardly know how to explain to you how it was that a boy who had always been so regardful of his mother's scares as to refuse to stay out late at night, should yet have allowed her to work her poor nervous heart into spasms of fear over this new departure, when a few words of explanation would have filled that same heart with mother's,

Starting point is 01:50:30 hope and pride. I don't know how to explain it to her, he told himself, as he shut the door with a little bang, vexed at her tearful face when there was no cause for tears. I know it's nothing that she need cry about this time, and that's enough. Supposing I should tell her, she'd go and talk about it, tell all the old women on this street like enough, and be pleased in all that, and I dare say it won't come to anything. It isn't no ways likely I'll ever go more than once, and then she would just be disappointed, and what's the use? And I really believe that the strongest motive he had for silence was that vague fear of another disappointment for his mother, yet he disappointed her in one way or another every day of his life. He was certainly a queer boy.

Starting point is 01:51:24 Poor Mrs. Adams! She had a miserable day. I often often, no excuse for Paul. I am ashamed of him. As for his mother, shall excuse be offered for her? She was an adept in borrowing trouble. She had practiced for years. True, her life had been one of real practical troubles, yet it is also true that some of her most severe trials had been borrowed, wrought out in the darkness of the night, lived over in anticipation, wept over, struggled with, in a measure endured, and they never came. Yet, so far from learning wisdom by this long experience, she still expected them, or others worse than they, and wrought at her sad problem all the same. She looked again at her boy's shirt, making sure that every button was in its place.

Starting point is 01:52:17 She sought out a clean handkerchief and laid it beside the shirt. She brushed his best coat with careful hands and meant it a tiny rip in the sleeve, and she had an hour's labor with the shining shirt front, dampening, rubbing, ironing, because there had plashed on it two or three hot tears. Had Paul known that the tears really fell, he would have made some effort to relieve his mother. As it was, he came home from his business of lounging earlier than usual, dressed himself with marked care, taking most unusual pains with his hair, and looking altogether so neat and respectable that his mother felt a little thrill of pride rise up among her fears as he passed through the kitchen she had not ventured further opposition the only question she asked was the tearfully put one how late do you expect to be paul i have no kind of an idea he said cheerily i don't know where i'm going you see nor what will be done with me and the mother groaned

Starting point is 01:53:24 Ah, but had you been able to peep into Mrs. Fenton's pretty parlour that evening? Paul was right in his surmise that it was a particularly pleasant room at all times. But on this occasion, the first regular meeting of the newly organized CLSC, its mistress had done what she could to make it more than usually attractive. She had labored half the afternoon to make her ivies and ferns trail and droop in just the right direction, and at dusk came Caroline, fresh from Mrs. Chester's greenhouse, bearing a choice collection of cut flowers. It was late enough in the season for these to bring special joy to Mrs. Fenton's heart. "'See,' said Caroline, "'they are all going out this evening, and Mrs. Chester said the beauty of these would be gone by tomorrow,

Starting point is 01:54:16 so if I had any friends who would like them, I was to take them. Wasn't she nice?' "'Very,' said Mrs. Fenton in glee, and while she arranged them in her pretty vases with skillful hand, she wondered whether Mrs. Chester would have given her flowers had she known they were destined that very evening to help people up out of their spheres. All four of the burners in the pretty little chandelier had been lighted, Mrs. Fenton remarking apologetically when her husband laughed

Starting point is 01:54:48 that she did like light. The delicate bell-shaped shades drooping over the gas-jets added their beauty to the general effect. I have before told you that Mrs. Fenton was an artist, so far as regarded the adorning of her home, and she had exerted herself to the utmost to make it an attractive spot on this first evening of their venture into the world of literature. I ought not to use the word venture. It had already passed beyond the limits which surround that word. The preliminary business meeting had been a success, both as regarded numbers and enthusiasm. There were found to be those in Centerville not too much absorbed in painting or self-esteem to appreciate and join hands with the new scheme. Whether the imposing name of Dr. Gilbert

Starting point is 01:55:40 Monteth announced as president of the organization had much to do with rapidly swelling the list of members, who shall say? Certain it is that Mr. Gilbert Monteith announced as president of the organization, had much to do with rapidly swelling the list of members, who shall say. certain it is that Mrs. Fenton had on her list a comfortable sprinkling of names from high sources. In fact, she had one or two that Mrs. Chester had tried in vain to secure at her fashionable evening gatherings. Yet she had been true to her first motherly ambition to get hold of the ward boys. This desire she had mentioned, not without some anxiety, to Dr. Monteth when he called one evening in an entirely informal way to talk over their plans, for the bright little woman had been unanimously chosen secretary. Would Dr. Monteth think she was lowering the standard of the CLSC by trying to

Starting point is 01:56:31 introduce to its membership such doubtful young men as these? Also, what would he think of Caroline? These questions made Mrs. Fenton's heart beat fast, but I rejoice to tell you that she set her pleasant mouth in firm lines and told herself, that whatever Dr. Monteth or anybody else thought of Caroline, she was to belong, provided she, Mrs. Fenton, had anything to do with it. If any person objected to Caroline, it should be the same as though they had objected to her. The ward boys might be doubtful, perhaps they were, perhaps it was foolish to try to do anything with them, in that line at least. But Mrs. Chester's Caroline was another person. She was a little person. She was

Starting point is 01:57:18 not left long in doubt as to Dr. Montice's opinion. His handsome eyes flashed instant sympathy, and his cordial voice said, My dear Mrs. Fenton, that is one of the best of the good thoughts that you have had concerning this movement. If we could get hold of these two young men, we might save them, and through them I am half frightened to think how many others. And then he, in his turn, astonished Mrs. Fenton. Did she know anything? of a boy, or a young man, rather, by the name of Adams? His mother was a poor struggling widow, and the boy was no comfort to her, was always hanging around the street corners, was constantly with the ward boys and others of their stamp, was going to ruin he feared, and yet he fancied

Starting point is 01:58:08 the boy had capabilities. His father was a man of unusual strength of mind. Dr. Monteth had known him when a boy, and although he had had almost no advantages, he had picked up a good deal of various sorts of knowledge, and was a man of sterling worth and much promise at the time of his sudden death. Dr. Monteth, by reason of his busy life, had lost track of the boy until quite recently, a fact which he regretted. Did Mrs. Fenton think it possible to reach just such a boy as he was through such a channel? Mrs. Fenton felt that. that her fair face was showing crimson blushes. She was so astonished. Yes, she did know Paul Adams, by sight at least, and she knew his mother very well. Mrs. Adams occasionally

Starting point is 01:58:59 did find starching and ironing for her when she was pressed for time, and many a nice bit of comfort from her cellar and pantry had found its way to Mrs. Adams' home. She did not tell Dr. Montief all these things, but her voice at least must have expressed her surprise, for he smiled as he said, I am not at all sure that we could reach him. I don't know that he has an idea of ever trying to be other than what he is, but for the sake of his father I should like to get hold of him. Would you have any objection to my inviting him to join us? Oh, no indeed, fancy her making objections to anyone whom Dr. Monteth might choose to invite to her house. But after that, she had not deemed it necessary to commend Mrs. Chester's Caroline to his

Starting point is 01:59:49 special forbearance. That same Caroline looked very pretty on the evening in question. She had not in any sense stepped aside from her usual dress, it was a dark, plain dress costing so little by the yard that it would have surprised even Mrs. Fenton, who was a practical economist, but it was made with exceeding care, was perfect in fit, and the soft, cheap lace at throat and wrists set it off as much as real lace at an unmentionable price would have done, better indeed, because of one's instinctive sense of the fitness of things. While at work among the flowers, Caroline had, from force of habit also, pushed into the braids of her hair a cluster of scarlet fuchsias, and, whether she knew it or not,

Starting point is 02:00:38 they fitted her perfectly. As the peal of the bell announced the first arrival, she turned away from the flowers with heightened color and a little laugh, as she said, It seems to me as though I ought to retire to the kitchen or the nursery. Where shall I sit, Mrs. Fenton? Just where you please, said Mrs. Fenton promptly, Don't you go to being foolish, Caroline. There will be no one here who will not respect you in proportion to the respect which they have for themselves. That is our president, I think. Isn't it grand that we have such a president? The parlor filled rapidly. Mrs. Fenton was jubilant, and yet not quite satisfied.

Starting point is 02:01:24 She had not before realized how eager she had been to secure the ward boys, but, as often as the bell would peel, a flush of expectancy would rise on her face to fade again as only others of their immediate circle were admitted. A close observer would have also discovered that the genial president was on the alert, watching for what had not as yet appeared. They came, however, the three came together. Somewhat late, for at the last moment Jim's courage had failed him, and he had announced his intention of giving it up. Not so, Paul. He was astonished with himself for having entered into any such engagement, but once having donned a clean shirt and blacked his boots,

Starting point is 02:02:10 and spent unusual thought and care on his personal appearance, he was resolved that it should not be for not. On this, Joe agreed with him, and, by dint of much coaxing, they finally prevailed upon the one who was usually their leading spirit to reconsider. I don't think I shall be able to set before you a description of the effect of that brightly-lighted,

Starting point is 02:02:36 flower-perfumed room on those three young men. The ward boys were almost as unused to such scenes as was Paul. It is true they had a pre-fewed. parlor at home, but it was always closed and dark, the dust having gathered about even their mother's old-fashioned portrait. As for Paul, the neat clean kitchen, lighted only by one small lamp, so old that it was always out of order, was, you will remember, his daily lesson in the refinements of life. Of course, he immediately adopted extravagant views as to the beauty of Mrs. Fenton's parlor. But while taste and elegance undoubtedly

Starting point is 02:03:15 had their effect on these young men, they were as nothing compared with the courteous and cordial greeting which was given them. Dr. Monteth arose from his chair of honor near the study table, and, coming forward, gave a hand to each, while in few words of pleasant greeting, he assured them of their welcome, and every member of the circle chose to follow their leader's example, albeit some were amazed at their own action. Certainly, whatever the C.L. SC might develop for these three, their first impressions were exceedingly pleasing. I will admit to you that they all three understood little of the subjects that were discussed during the evening. Maravale, said each to himself at intervals, what is Merivale or who is he,

Starting point is 02:04:06 does it mean a man or a woman or a place? Now each had that degree of self-respect, if indeed that is the proper name for the feeling, which made him resolved to discover as soon as possible all about Mera Vail, without admitting for a moment to the others that he was not thoroughly posted. Rome, what about it? Did they mean that little village on the railroad forty miles or so north of here? It wasn't likely, for whoever heard of anything happening in Rome worth talking about. Yes, they knew every one of them that there was such a city or country. country or town across some ocean, renowned for something. The momentous questions were, which ocean, town, city, or what? For what renowned? Curious material this, do you think,

Starting point is 02:04:56 for a literary and scientific association? Let me tell you they took certain steps that evening, without which there would be no scientific investigations, no literary men or women. They resolved every one of them to find out. The talk went on in the form of general and interested conversation. No, not general, for our three boys, who began this evening for the first time to suspect that they might be young men, could not join in it. Presently, James Ward, the more daring spirit of the three, leaned forward and possessed himself of a book that lay on the table, exactly like one in Mrs. Fenton's hand, to which

Starting point is 02:05:40 he could see she occasionally referred. Maravale's general history of Rome. Marravel was then, doubtless, a man, and had written a book about Rome, so much for knowledge. You need not smile if I admit to you that James Ward felt in a certain sense triumphant. He had one fact which an hour before he had never heard of. Young Paul, whose keen eyes were in all portions of the room at once, quietly held out his hand for the book as James was about to return it to the table, and in a twinkling placed himself on a level with his friend. He went farther. He opened to the title page and read,

Starting point is 02:06:24 A history of Rome from the foundation of the city to the fall of Augustulus. Rome then was a city, and of sufficient interest and importance to have a book written about it. Paul had an immediate desire to know where it was situational. how it was founded, who Augustulus was, and where he fell to. He opened curiously to the first chapter, and read the heading slowly and with great care, the site of Rome. My, said young Paul to himself, that's queer spelling, his only knowledge of the word being derived from S-I-G-H-T. He read on, its configuration and geological formation. a glance at the Italian peninsula, at the basin of the Mediterranean, at the empire beyond it.

Starting point is 02:07:16 All Greek to Paul Adams. He laid down the book with a hardly suppressed sigh, and there flitted before him the memory of sundry wasted days in the old dingy schoolhouse. He wondered curiously whether had he studied more and tripped boys less, he should understand this sentence this evening. What of it? Why should he kill? to understand it. What difference did it make to him where Rome was, or where Augustulus fell? Why had he come here this evening? Why, indeed, but that, as he raised his eyes at that moment, he met the genial ones of Professor Monteth, and something, he was not metaphysician enough to know

Starting point is 02:07:59 what, made him immediately wish for a second time that evening that he knew a little something. Although Professor Gilbert Monteith was heartily interested in the literary and scientific circle, and meant to give it his utmost strength and the benefit of his thorough education, it gives me great joy to tell you that he was more interested in human lives and human souls than in any phase of scientific truth that could possibly be presented. He meant to aid the few earnest students gathered about him, and he meant also to save these three boys if he could. He gave his mind to so shaping the questions, so commenting on the answers,

Starting point is 02:08:43 that the whole was well calculated to awaken the curiosity of those who knew nothing concerning that ancient city. In short, he so skillfully introduced our novices to the seven renowned hills and the flowing tiber and the curious legend of Romulus and Remus, that not only was Mrs. Fenton heartily interested, and Caroline's eyes glowed, and young Mr. Bennett, the law student, declared to himself that this was something worth having, but what was infinitely more to the point, three young men on the high road to ruin roused themselves from their lethargy of ignorance and indifference, and positively resolved to keep the vantage ground that they had gained,

Starting point is 02:09:27 and put themselves in a way to hear these people talk. Moreover, in the course of the evening, young Robert Fenton, without the least intention of adding to the spell, without the slightest knowledge that he did any such thing, pushed his chair closer to Dr. Monteth and began to question. The Palatine and the Aventine and the winding Tyber and the Vatican were names that rolled so easily from his young lips, and the questions he asked were so promptly recognized as of importance and so carefully answered. that, while Mrs. Fenton's cheeks glowed with motherly pride, the cheeks of the ward boys glowed with shame. Just to think, murmured James to himself, that fellow is only fourteen. And young Paul said within himself, that youngster knows enough to ask about what he don't know, and I vow I mean to learn so much anyhow. The first regular meeting of the CLSC, viewed from human standpoints, was certainly a success. The pleased circle detached itself into little groups when the formal meeting was over,

Starting point is 02:10:38 and discussed the hopes and plans. We shall have to be very busy some of us to get 40 minutes a day in which to read. This Mr. Bennett remarked in a general way. Maravale is interesting, but he doesn't say much about law, and I have to keep Blackstone ever before my mental vision. Whereupon Caroline thought, but did not say. Maravale may be interesting, but I fancy he doesn't say much about setting tables and clearing them off

Starting point is 02:11:08 and making desserts and dusting parlors. I shall certainly have to be very busy. End of chapter 6. Reeses knows a thing or two about great combinations. Chocolate and peanut butter, obviously, but there's more than one way to Rees's.

Starting point is 02:11:30 From indulgent Rees' big cups with caramel to crunchy Reese's pieces, and Reese's miniatures, there's a delicious Reese for every mood. It's the same combo you love, just with more ways to enjoy it. So, whether you're snacking, sharing, or just treating yourself, nothing else is Reese's. Chapter 7 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Isn't it nice? Isn't it nice? This was what she said to James Ward, a little pink and white girl who could hardly reach to his elbow.

Starting point is 02:12:10 Not an intellectual girl at all, one who knew almost as little about Rome as did the young man before whom she stood, save that she had a fashionable seminary education and knew the names of things tolerably well. A girl who frizzed her hair when frizzes were the height of the fashion and banged it when that style was in vogue. A girl who wore trains one day or round dresses

Starting point is 02:12:35 reaching just to the tops of her boots the next, according to the dictates of the most fashionable dressmaker whose advice she could ask. If you had been going to select a woman to give an impetus to a donning intellectual sense, the last person you would probably have chosen would have been the small pretty Amy Allison, with features like the latest Parisian doll,

Starting point is 02:12:58 expression in all. Yet those three words, spoken in the softest of feminine voices, were destined by fate, or no, let us be reasonable beings and say by providence, to work as complete a transformation in the plans and purposes and final destination of James Ward as can possibly be imagined. How could they do it? Well, who can account for these things, or explain the subtle law by which they work? It was not that James Ward fell in love with a small bit of flesh and blood beside him, whatever that coarse expression may mean to those

Starting point is 02:13:34 initiated. It was not that he realized any special personality in the matter. It was simply that he had watched young men and young women heretofore from a distance. They up a story or two, at least, he below looking up, never by any chance beside them. He had seen this very girl at church, seated in her father's pew, shielded by her father's presence, surrounded by an atmosphere of respectability and choiceness. He had seen young men, her friends and companions, greet her familiarly on passing in or out. He had from his seat in the gallery, or his position in the upper hall, looked down on all this, and still felt himself looking up, not down. It had all been above him. This he had never reasoned over, but simply an adult sort of way,

Starting point is 02:14:27 felt, accepted as a kind of necessity of circumstance. Now he stood beside her, in a carefully adorned parlor, she's surrounded as usual by that atmosphere of safe, pure respectability. Professor Monteth on one side, Mrs. Dayton Allen on the other, and Mr. Bennett, whom everyone spoke of is destined to be a brilliant young lawyer, just in front of them, and she had looked up to him, James Ward, and said, isn't it nice? Do you see what I mean? There came at that moment to the young man, a sudden revelation of the fact that there need be no precipice between him and all this safe nicety, he forever below and they above. This small pretty girl stood on a level with him now, nay looked up to him literally, and addressed him as one of them. What was there to hinder his trying for a place that would make it a matter of

Starting point is 02:15:25 course for her and all such to at least greet him on a level. I declare to you that, so insensibly had this motherless young man slipped downhill, he had never realized that there was a time when he was not necessarily down there, and there had never occurred to him before a possibility of climbing back. He had accepted his worthlessness as an inevitable birthright. Amy Allison would simply have laughed had she known how her good-natured little question was. set his pulses to throbbing. Yet Amy Allison never had so great reason to be proud of her brainless little frizzes as on that night when they helped to awaken the energies of an immortal soul. He looked down at her, this boy of about 19, on this girl of 17, who had been miles

Starting point is 02:16:15 above him always heretofore, with a curious feeling that he was older by years than he had ever been before, and that she was younger. What is nice, he said. He hadn't the least idea how to talk with a young lady. He had no sister, and the few girls whom he knew well enough to shout a greeting to in the streets as he passed them, he felt now that he wished he did not know at all. Why, this idea, all of it, the meeting together and talking and studying it over, and having such grand men as Professor Montief and Mr. Bennett and all those to help us.

Starting point is 02:16:56 Us. Whom did she mean by that word so glibly used? Actually herself and him, James Ward? It sounded like it. Did he think it was nice? He had told himself not three minutes ago that he was a fool for being there, and that he would never be caught in that trap again. It was one of the many revulsions of feeling that he had.

Starting point is 02:17:18 he had endured. He suddenly resolved to be sincere and see what answer he would get. I suppose it is nice for you people who know all about these things, but I am nothing but an ignoramus. I never took kindly to any books. This sentence closing with a half-bitter laugh. Oh, I don't know much about these things. Her sentence closed with a little laugh too, not a bitter one, though, fresh and girlish. Don't you? He looked down at her now, smiling partly at the pretty features, and partly at himself, in wonder, that he felt so much at ease talking with a well-dressed young lady who belonged to the upper circles. No, I don't, really. I used to study history in school, of course, but I always rather hated it. It seemed so dull, you see. My little sister was asking me only this afternoon, what was the principal river in Rome, and do you believe I could tell her?

Starting point is 02:18:18 I'm glad I have discovered this evening. I know so much now anyway. I think it would be nice to know one new thing every day, don't you? He hadn't a clear idea what he thought, except that for some reason utterly unknown to himself, it gave him intense pleasure to hear her confess her ignorance of Rome. Some way it reduced the precipice that was between him and people. Why did this fair bit of flesh stand talking with him, when he had when Mr. Bennett stood almost at her elbow and was entirely willing to talk with her. Oh, the reason was simple enough. Little Miss Annie had been a good deal astonished, possibly a trifle scandalized, when she saw the ward boys march into the room. Why, everybody knew they were just street loungers. As for Paul, he was not on a level enough with her social horizon for her to know him at all. She had been in a puzzle for some seconds over the other, others. But when Dr. Monteth actually laid aside his books and arose and shook hands with them and gave them a general introduction to the company, Little Amy settled it behind her frizzes

Starting point is 02:19:30 that they must be rather nice after all. Anyway, people whom Dr. Monteth introduced were to be talked to, for the time being at least. So she talked to James Ward because she happened to be standing nearest to him when the circle broke up. It was all a happy. then? Yes, just as much of a happen as anything is in this carefully planned world. Well, it helped to send James Ward home looking thoughtful. Joe put his hands in his pockets and whistled. What he thought about anything, he kept to himself until they reached their favorite corner. Then he halted, waited for the two who were coming along in silence behind him, and said, Let's go in and have a smoke and talk it over. Whether it was

Starting point is 02:20:18 Miss Amy's influence, or the combined influences of the entire evening, that made his brother James so unusually gruff, I cannot tell. Certain it is, he answered with most unnecessary bearishness. I won't do it. I'm going home. Joe, though generally good-natured, was not proof against such uncalled-for growls as this, and answered promptly, "'Bow, wow, go right along.

Starting point is 02:20:45 Come in, Paul, and have a soothing puff. I'll stand treat. Can't, said Paul laconically. Why not? Oh, because I can't. It's late. I'm going home. It isn't late either.

Starting point is 02:20:59 It's just a few minutes after ten. Well, that's a few minutes later than I generally am. I don't mean to stop nowhere tonight, so you needn't coax. It was the quiet tone of decision that meant just what it said. Oh, bother, Joe said. You're both crack. tonight. And he, too, made a virtue of necessity, and went home. It was unusually early for the ward boys, and as their father, lying awake, heard them stumbling upstairs in the darkness, he wondered

Starting point is 02:21:32 with a gloomy sigh what those fellows had been about now to get in so early. As for the widow Adams, her pillow was wet, and her nose was red, and her eyes were sore, all because of tears that had dropped, dropped in a slow, desolate way, ever since half-past eight, when she had turned her lamp down until it gave one dim wink, and went to bed to wait and watch for the coming of her idol. The worst had come at last. She felt it in every nerve. The ruin that had been menacing her so long was about to burst upon her. In what form she had been fruitful in conjecturing. Certainly there was no danger of her being taken by surprise. For her, she had had her boy brought home shot, drowned in the creek, thrown from a disreputable

Starting point is 02:22:20 carriage with all his ribs broken, carried helplessly intoxicated in the arms of two boon companions, all this since half-past eight, and it was only ten. How late would her nerves hold out? What else was there for her to imagine? Oh, don't laugh at poor, sad-hearted widow Adams. Send your only boy out to walk at night over street spread with snares. and pitfalls at every step, as our large towns are, and see how you will feel. Her poor elbow was sore with its duties of lifting her up and letting her down again, as she listened while step after step crunched on the gravel outside, and none of them were his. He won't come till midnight at the very shortest, she murmured. He said he would be late. I knew what that meant. I've been

Starting point is 02:23:12 expecting and expecting it. Then the weak tears dropped. The widow Adams was too enfeebled in body, too utterly worn out with hard work, even to cry hard. It was fifteen minutes after ten by the old-fashioned clock in the corner when she raised herself for the 50th time on that much-enduring elbow to say, oh dear, that's his step, and then, no it isn't, oh dear me. But this time she added, "'Yes, it is. I'd know his step anywhere, even if it was unsteady. Oh, dear!' Then the door was carefully opened. "'Mother!' A steady, low-toned voice. Are you asleep? Don't get up. I see the lamp. All right, good night.' And he clambered up the steep staircase. Then the tears came faster, in very astonishment and satisfaction. Yes, his step was steady once more,

Starting point is 02:24:10 and his voice was steady. There was no smell of liquor came in at the door with him. She hated liquor, did this long-suffering widow Adams. She could detect its scent, it seemed to her, almost miles away.

Starting point is 02:24:24 But then, he has been somewhere that he oughtn't to have went, she said drearily, or else he would have told me about it. Oh, dear me! I can re-echo it from my soul. Oh, dear me,

Starting point is 02:24:39 that in our Christian country, Mother's hearts have to be wrung by so many terrors that are so liable to be. As for Paul Adams, he was unusually quiet. He whistled not a note as he made steady preparations for bed. His mind was full of grave thoughts. There was no room for whistling. The problem looming up before him

Starting point is 02:25:01 that he intended in his heart to meet and conquer was, How shall I go to work to get a Maravale's history of role? It was an actual fact, though a lamentable one, that Paul, almost young man as he was, with a widowed mother, whom, by all means of Christianity or civilization, he should have supported, had no settled business in life, nothing definite to do, save to split the kindlings when there were any to split, work in the garden when his mother could coax him to do it, shovel paths when he had to, and pick up odd jobs as they chanced to, to fall in his way. His mother, poor thing, comforted her heart by saying with her lips that it was a dreadful bad town for poor folks. There was her Paul couldn't find any work from one month's end to another. Down deep in her heart, she knew that there was nothing that Paul tried for so little as something to do. Also, she knew that farmer Judkins, who had known her in her girlhood, and who occasionally brought her a bushel of apples or a spare, rib, said as soon as he got out of the house,

Starting point is 02:26:12 show, what a worthless coot he is. I'd risk, but he'd find something to do if he wanted it. All the same, the mother respected Farmer Judkins for keeping his lips closed before her. Even she did not know what spasmodic efforts had been made in her favor by the carpenter around the corner, offering Paul steady wages, small indeed but steady, for steady work. Paul had shrugged his shoulders and said, I don't believe you better try me, Mr. Tucker, I ain't steady at anything but eating and sleeping. But this episode his mother didn't know.

Starting point is 02:26:50 On the evening in question, one of the boy's employments seemed to be deserting him. He could not get to sleep. Through the moonlight, he could count every knot in the wood of the unfinished room, and for a time he could not fix his mind on anything but the act of counting them. What the mischief do I care how many there are? He said aloud and angrily at last,

Starting point is 02:27:15 and then he set himself to work in earnest to find what it was that was keeping him awake. And, strange as the experience was to him, he discovered that he still wanted very much indeed a maraville on Rome. Why? Ah, that was what he could not have explained to you. He had had a glimpse into another world, and he liked it, but he had by no means as yet decided that it could be other than glimpses

Starting point is 02:27:42 which would fall to his share. Nevertheless, the determination grew to secure a Maravale in some way. I wonder how much the thing costs, he asked himself, and asked in vain, having less knowledge of the market value of books than of almost any other thing. A few moments of silent thought induced the next explosive sentence. Folks that are at work making money, getting regular wages, can buy books when they want them. It seems a strange thing to say, but really Paul Adams was getting his first touch of respect for labor by reason of forcing himself to think of its remarkable results. What else he thought, as he lay there staring at the posts of the old-fashioned bedstead, he kept to himself, only announcing the result in the tone which the ward-bord

Starting point is 02:28:32 boys called his stubborn one, and from which they knew there was no appeal. I vum I'll do it tomorrow morning. Then he turned on his side and went to sleep. Meantime, pretty little Miss Amy Allison simpered home in the moonlight with young Bennett, the law student, and tried to be wise and talk about Rome with its seven hills, and was duly flattered by the attention which the brilliant young man bestowed on her, but acknowledged in her secret soul that she felt more comfortable while talking with James Ward. It was a little difficult to keep the Seven Hills located where they ought to be, and not to confuse the Vatican and the Apennines,

Starting point is 02:29:14 not being entirely sure as yet which either word represented. Now, with James Ward it had not mattered. By the by, said her companion, suddenly leaving Rome and coming down to Centerville, How did those ward boys and that Adam's youngster happen to stray into our gathering, do you suppose? I'm sure I don't know, wasn't it funny? With an amused little laugh. Rather, I presume they felt somewhat like the historical fishes we occasionally hear about. I saw you trying to make talk with one of the wards. How did you succeed? Why, he talked quite well, Miss Amy said, hesitatingly, not sure of her ground. Perhaps this was an absurd thing to say to the brilliant young man.

Starting point is 02:30:03 Did he indeed? I am surprised to hear it. I didn't suppose he had two ideas in common with people having brains. How many brains had Miss Amy had he been able to measure them? Young Bennett didn't know, but he knew she was a pleasant little thing to walk home with. As for Caroline, young Robert Fenton got out his cap and walked home with her, his mother remarking as she stood in the door and looked after them, that she wished young men had common sense. Why didn't Mr. Bennett see her safely home? It was right in his way, and that simpering little Amy might have thought of, and proposed it to him if she had any brains. And her husband had laughed and replied, You are good at planning, Martha, but when you get young Bennett to come down from his height,

Starting point is 02:30:53 long enough to walk home with Mrs. Chester's Caroline, let me know. End of Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. I know I shall stick. Young Paul opened his eyes, intent on the same subject on which they had closed the night before. Neither did it seem less important to him by prosaic daylight, as things are apt to do. More difficult to accomplish, perhaps it looked, but he meant to accomplish it.

Starting point is 02:31:35 Therefore, he made a hasty and even more silent breakfast than usual, ignoring his mother's wistful hints that he would tell her how he passed the evening, and went out uptown with a quick step, utterly unlike his usual lounging gate. His object was regular employment, such as would bring money. Where to look for it he did not know. It was an unpropitious time of year in which to find work that he was capable of doing, whatever work that would be. He fully realized that his qualifications were limited.

Starting point is 02:32:09 But behold, as he turned the corner, a placard hung in the window of one of his favorite lounging places, Boy wanted. This looked encouraging. It might be merely an air. errand boy, well, certainly he could run of errands, and it tells well for the downright earnestness of Paul that he did not shrink from this form of work, so much younger than his years. On the other hand, if they wanted one to stand behind the counter and sell tobacco and cigars, why certainly he was capable of doing that?

Starting point is 02:32:41 Can't need much brains for such work, said Paul, with a contemptuous sniff and a donning sense of the intellectual inferiority of such work. Then he boldly turned the knob and went forward. The proprietor was well known to him. He vouchsafed him at first, no answer beyond an astonished stare, and then a hearty laugh. Honor Bright, Paul, do you really want something to do? Honor Bright, I mean business, and you'll find I can stick to it. What do you want me to hire you to do, now honestly, smoke cigars?

Starting point is 02:33:16 no only we'dle others into buying them and make em think a miserable little two-cent one is a prime lot best brand and worth five cents at the very lowest i know how and i can do it The proprietor laughed and flushed. You know too much, he said. Altogether too much. You have smoked too many cigars to be able to do much at selling. Then you won't hire me? Not if I know myself, my boy. I mean to have a clerk who hasn't learned how to smoke.

Starting point is 02:33:49 You want the pleasure of teaching him yourself, do you? All right. And Paul shut the door and walked on. A curious sense of having had his good intentions ill-treated, came over him. It was a new feeling to have to bear. Heretofore, his life had been on too low a plane to have been troubled with sensitiveness. He stood at the corner, perhaps five minutes, trying to resolve not to go down to Tucker's. It was not the time of year to expect work of a carpenter, he argued. Stores and groceries were more likely places now that the holiday season was coming on.

Starting point is 02:34:26 To be sure there weren't many stores to try, and help had always seemed wonderfully plenty. But then perhaps he better try them. So he did, walked up the main street on one side and down it on the other, stopping at every probable and finally every improbable place. It was not until towards noon that he came back to that corner and strode resolutely down the street towards Tucker's Carpenter Shop. The truth was he thought he didn't want to be a carpenter, and though he did not put it into words, he had a half-to-find feeling of energy about him, which he expressed afterwards by the sentence, You see, I knew I should stick to it that time, and I wanted to be rather careful. I always know by my feelings when I am going to stick.

Starting point is 02:35:14 Mr. Tucker, though for the sake of the boy's father, had several times offered and urged work, was not in so accommodating a mood now. Truth to tell, he had announced some time before that he had washed his hands of Paul Adams and should never try to do anything more with him. He was a shiftless fellow, and always would be, and he was going to the bat as fast as he could, and he, Jonas Tucker, couldn't help it. But then, all this was said under the firm belief that Paul Adams would never come his way asking for work. He wasn't ready to give it. He was suspicious of the sudden out. burst of industry. He half believed there was some trick hidden away under the apparent honesty of

Starting point is 02:35:58 purpose. But for all that, Jonas Tucker, being a good man in his way, found it not easy to wash his hands of a responsibility after all. He argued the case with Paul, however, assured him that this was not the time of year when carpenter work was flash, and that he would have no idlers about him, nor slippery fellows. Everything had to be up to the mark, and if he should ever hire a boy to work for him again, which was doubtful, he should certainly discharge him for the first mean trick he did, and every word of objection he uttered developed in Paul Adams a curious determination to carry his point and get to work in the carpenter's shop. What he had started out upon reluctantly, as a last resort, he found himself doggedly bent on accomplishing.

Starting point is 02:36:49 I know I shall stick, he said to himself, I feel it all over me, and I ain't sure but I shall kind of like to stick just here. What started you up all of a sudden? Questioned Jonas Tucker, breaking in on his argument to ask this point-blank question. The answer was unhesitating. I want some money. Oh, you do. I should think it was about time.

Starting point is 02:37:14 You've been acting all along as though you didn't know there was any such stuff as money in the world. What do you want money for, to help your mother? No, said Paul Adams, as promptly as before, but a streak of dark red blood began to creep up into his cheek. The question had roused a hundred others. What if he should earn money for his mother, support her as he had heard of sons doing? What if he should buy a carpet some day for the horrid little kitchen, and a lamp that didn't smoke, and a stove that would bake.

Starting point is 02:37:48 It was an actual fact that the boy had slept so effectually through his seventeen or eighteen years of life as never to have considered before that such marvelous results were possible. But he had no idea of telling Mr. Tucker about the new ideas, so he added to his no only this explanation. I want it for myself. "'For yourself,' said Mr. Tucker in score. a great boy like you. What have you done yet for your mother, but give her plenty of sleepless nights and red eyes, I'll be bound.'

Starting point is 02:38:23 And feeling by this time that he had no more washed his hands of the young man than he had gotten rid of his own heart, he determined to improve this opportunity, and then and there, standing in the shop door, the north wind blowing advance flakes of a coming snowstorm all about them, he read the boy a solemn lecture on the sins and follies of his youth, and the probable evil disposition which he was about to make of his first earnings, provided he should ever earn anything, which was extremely doubtful. Little of which did young Paul here. He was occupied in thinking if he should ever be able to buy a new lamp for his mother, what sort of a lamp it should be, and should the shade be pure white or have pink flowers on it. But he stuck, and was

Starting point is 02:39:09 hired, no less to Mr. Tucker's astonishment, than his own. Not many days thereafter, young Bennett stepped into the one large bookstore which Centerville possessed, and, while stating his order, stopped in the midst of a sentence to say to the clerk, who was a friend of his, What's the matter? You look as though you had seen an apparition. I have, and it has stunned me. The millennium is coming, or the world is coming to an end, or else there is going to be an

Starting point is 02:39:39 earthquake. Why? Laughing at his dazed air, what has happened? Do you know the ward boys? Oh yes, I know them when I stumble over them at the corners or some other lounging place. What of them? What would you say? asked the clerk leaning over the counter and speaking in a confidential tone, if you should see one of them buying a book. Why, it might suggest the millennium, I admit. Benad answered laughing. I didn't know they ever purchased any sort of book, a dime novel, I suppose. No, sir, it wasn't. It was a history, the toughest of its kind, too. We don't sell a copy of it in a hundred years. In fact, I believe we never sold a copy, nor kept it to sell, until Dr. Monteth ordered a couple, and we sent for a dozen. But I'd like

Starting point is 02:40:33 to know what had got into people all of a sudden. Come to think, they're all gone but one, and we've got an order for two more. What do you suppose is up?' Light began to dawn on young Bennett's brain. Oh, you are talking about Maravale's Rome, I suppose. Still, he was astonished, as was evidenced by his next question. Did the ward boys really buy a copy? They did so. Jim came in here as lofty as though he bought a book a week and said he, Parker, I want a history of Rome by a man named Meravale. If he had asked me for a photograph of the man in the moon, I couldn't have been more astonished.

Starting point is 02:41:15 But I got it for him, and he paid for it and walked off. That was yesterday. But after all, it was nothing to the sensation that we had this afternoon. That was what cut me up so completely. I've sold next to the last copy of that very book, and you couldn't guess in a month of Sundays to whom? Do you happen to know that good-for-nothing youngster, who hasn't a whole shirt to his name, I'll venture, unless his mother has earned it for him by going out washing?

Starting point is 02:41:43 His name is Adams, Paul Adams. Yes, I know him. You don't say he has bought a book, too? He has bought a book, too, repeated the clerk solemnly. Kaman looked it over with the wisdom of a sage, demurred a little because the cover was black instead of brown, said he always had a hankering for brown things and hated black. Demurred still more at the price, said it was,

Starting point is 02:42:09 most an awful price he should think for one book, but he took it and paid for it, and went away peering into it as though it had a spell about it in some way. Now what does it all mean? I really am not sure, but it means that those fellows are in earnest, said young Bennett, musingly, I declare it looks as though they had ventured in, but I confess that I am astonished.

Starting point is 02:42:34 Ventured into what? Literature, replied young Bennett, laughing immoderately now. Don't you know we have a literary society? I am sure I asked you to join it. Maravale is one of the books on our course. And the ward boys and this young scamp of an Adams have joined. Why, so it seems. I didn't know they contemplated it.

Starting point is 02:42:57 They strayed into the meeting a week or so ago. I don't know how they happened to. I thought it was some good nature or fun of Robert Fenton's. We met at his father's. But really, this looks like an attempt at joining us. Po, said Parker the clerk in intensest scorn. Oh, now that won't do, you know, was the lawyer's answer. It isn't impossible that they may have determined on the sudden to make an effort after respectability. Other young fellows have done the same and made men of themselves. And begun with Maravale, answered Parker.

Starting point is 02:43:34 What egregious nonsense! Why, I know a little of history, and I give you my word of honor that I never saw a stupider addition than this same Maravale. I don't believe even a scholar could get interested in it, and the idea of Paul Adams. Why, he doesn't know three lines of the multiplication table. Stuff and nonsense.

Starting point is 02:43:56 It did look funny to them, and the two young men burst simultaneously into laughter. Bennett was the first to recover his gravity. I confess, he said, if I had been going to mark out a course of study for them, I should not have commenced with Maravale, and I doubt if any of the trio will look into it far enough to know whether it is dry or fresh, but I can't help being sort of glad to hear that they have actually bought one book. It adds to one's self-respect to see the gleams of manhood even in these worthless fellows.

Starting point is 02:44:30 I say, Parker, come and join us and watch the joke. And study Maravale, said Parker with a shrug of his shoulders. Nevertheless, when left alone, he took down the only remaining copy of Maravale and looked it over curiously. If the Ward Boys and Paul Adams had brains enough to read any of it, certainly he ought to have. Doubtless, the two young men would have been more amused still, could they have seen Paul Adams that evening in his bit of a room by the light of a tallow candle.

Starting point is 02:45:03 For some reason, unexplainable to himself, he was averse to sitting by the smoky lamp in his mother's kitchen and studying his new book. He preferred the tallow candle which he had bought with his own money, and set in a wooden block which he had hewn out at the carpenter's shop that day. The plan in the Adams' household had hereto been for Paul to take the smoky lamp after his mother was through with it, and retire by its vile light. So the tallow candle was an innovation. If I were an artist and could draw a picture of poor Paul as he bent over Merivale on that first evening, you might laugh, doubtless you would, and yet, unless I am mistaken in you, your heart would have gone out in sympathy. How utterly

Starting point is 02:45:50 hopeless it looked to him! He read over the first sentence, six times, without having an idea as to their meaning. He read through the entire page, and then closing the book, found that he had not the remotest idea concerning it. The language was such as he was utterly unused to hearing. The subject was one about which he knew absolutely nothing. Of what earthly use was it for him to pour over that array of words? A dismal feeling of the impossibility of accomplishing anything tugged at his heart. Here he had spent a large part of his first earnings on a big book which was written in an unknown tongue. He would take it back tomorrow morning.

Starting point is 02:46:33 He would tell that simpering clerk that he had made a mistake. It was not the book that he wanted. In fact, there was no book such as he wanted upon the earth. He would get back his money and buy a gallon of oysters and ask the boys and have a jolly evening, and let old Rome sink if it wanted to, provided it were now an existence of which he was not perfectly sure. Then he would, and then he stopped. Why did there, just at that moment, come a vision to him of the fine form and finer features of Dr. Monteth?

Starting point is 02:47:08 Why did it seem to him that he could feel the clasp of his hand and hear his genial voice saying, Good evening, my friend, we are glad to see you. Mr. Harvey, this is my young friend, Paul Adams. My young friend! When had Paul Adams ever supposed he would hear such a sentence as that, from such lips as those? He shaded his eyes from the blinking tallow candle and thought it all over. Was Paul Adams ambitious? He had never dreamed of such a thing.

Starting point is 02:47:40 In truth, he had never dreamed of any opportunity for being ambitious. He did not know the meaning of the word. He gave no thought to it this evening, but he knew he. he liked the sound of Dr. Monteith's voice and the clasp of his hand. I wonder if it is possible that some of those unseen beings, who, after all, seemed so near to earth, and who may know some of the ends from the beginnings, all but held their breaths as they waited while Paul Adams hid his eyes from the blinking light. He raised his head at last, and into the face there had come the stubborn look again, and he gave his decision aloud. No, I would, I

Starting point is 02:48:21 won't. I've begun, and I'll stick. Now then, old fellow, if you know anything at all about Rome, and I know myself, and I think I do, I'll find out what you say. If there were 979,000 pages, and each page was a yard long and took a week to read over, I'd go through it now, so there's no use talking. Then he snuffed his candle with his thumb and finger, wiped his fingers on his hair, spread the book on the rickety stand before him, fastened it open with two bits of board, brought from the shop, spread out his feet under the table, leaned his hands on his knees, and set in a firm tone, Now then, and set to work. Eight o'clock, nine o'clock struck slowly and solemnly from the bell in the church tower

Starting point is 02:49:10 not far distant. The kitchen door opened, and the tremulous voice of widow Adams called, Paul, are you upstairs? Whatever are you about up there in the dark? I've got a light. A light, dear me, where did you get it? Bought it. What for? Are you sick? No.

Starting point is 02:49:32 Don't you mean to go down street tonight? No. Dear me, Paul, I'm dreadful afraid you feel sick. No, I don't. I've got something I want to do. Can't you come down here with me and do it? it? No, I've got to be up here. Paul, ain't it something that I can do for you? No, said Paul again, in a loud tone, and then to himself, it's nothing that I can do for myself

Starting point is 02:49:59 in seventy-five years as I see. Whereupon he chuckled a little, something of the ludicrousness of his mother's trying to read Marevale's Rome for him suggested itself. The kitchen door shut slowly, irresolutely. His mother snuffed suspiciously and winked her eyes over her long dark seam. Something's going wrong, she murmured. Poor woman, as though something had not gone wrong with her most of the time since she was born. He's been different ever since he went out that evening. There's some dark doings going on, and something will come of it.

Starting point is 02:50:38 Oh, dear me! The bell in the church tower told ten, and still Paul Adams sat over his book, A few leaves had been turned and turned back again. In fact, the first chapter had been carefully gone over I do not know how many times. Certain words scrawled in an unformed hand on a bit of paper, indicated that a resolve had come to Paul to secure a dictionary somewhere soon and discover their meaning. A map that had been discovered had been turned to and carefully studied,

Starting point is 02:51:10 and certain heavy dots made with the aforesaid pencil, indicated that Paul had a suspicion that the places of which he had been reading were pictured here. The kitchen door opened softly again, and the quavering voice called, "'Paul, I've got some real hot water here. If you feel the least bit sick, I can bring you some and soak your feet, and I can make you a cup of ginger tea in a twinkling.' Then Paul laughed loud and long. "'I don't need soaking inside or out, mother, just as true as you live. You go to bed, I'm going in a minute. Then the door closed again, but the long-suffering mother said,

Starting point is 02:51:50 Something's to pay, oh dear me, and two or three tears fell on the long seam she had finished. The candle burned winkingly now and needed snuffing sadly. Paula rose at last with something between a whistle and a sigh, unceremoniously blew out the blinking eye, regardless of the horrible odor there from, and prepared for rest, his thoughts busy with the evening's work. Not a question as to whether he should stick or not. He had one rare and helpful quality. He never took up settled questions and unsettled them again. But he had new thoughts tonight. He moved about slowly. Queer, he said to himself, that volcanoes should have pitched up all them hills, 150 feet high. It don't see.

Starting point is 02:52:40 seem possible. But then, how would oyster shells get up on that hill 500 feet high, unless the ocean had been there and carried them? Well, I don't know as it is much queerer than that there was a great lake on that part that's all land now. It must be a pretty place up on that palatine hill. I'd like to see it. There's about 150 questions that I'd like to ask somebody. I wonder who I'll ask. None of my friends know that certain. I wonder how do you. Joe and Jim get on. If I spend my evenings in this confined and secluded eminence, I shan't know much about them. I've um, I believe I know that first chapter pretty nearby heart. Well, there's only 80 chapters. That isn't quite three months after all. Oh, I'll stick. I know I shall. I'm as tired as though I had

Starting point is 02:53:31 been weeding turnips a week without stopping. But after all, it kind of seems to me as though I liked it. The last and outermost zone of the Roman Empire was lost in regions, the geological formation of which may date back to countless ages before the upheaval of the Apennines, the Alps, or the Atlas. It was, eh? Well, if I only knew what all those words meant, I wouldn't care how long ago it was lost. I wonder who I'll get to tell me about things. End of Chapter 8. Chapter 9 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Spheres Mrs. Chester was in her element. It gave her almost more pleasure to gather her friends about her at a select entertainment

Starting point is 02:54:25 than to do anything else in life. She was so comfortably conscious that her house was the largest and pleasantest, and best furnished of any in town. It was so agreeable to think that her appointments were of the nicest, her servants almost the only really well-trained ones in the neighborhood, and that her guests would be certain to go home, commenting on the perfection of all the details. Why should she not enjoy giving pleasure to people?

Starting point is 02:54:53 It was not a large gathering, in the first place she did not believe in crushes, and in the second place, if she had, there were not choice people enough in Centerville to fill her large parlors. She had none but choice people, so called. To be sure, the Van Martens were always invited, although Mr. Van Martin was not given at any time to using very choice language, and when he was angry enough, was liable to use oaths, and was only too apt to come home frequently the worse for liquor. But then, as Mrs. Chester sweetly remarked, his wife was a most estimable woman, a perfect lady in dress and manners,

Starting point is 02:55:35 and for her part she thought it uncharitable to let people suffer. for the sins of their husbands. I really suppose Mrs. Chester is correct, though why, since she believed in and adopted that principle, she never invited Mrs. Barber, who lived at the foot of Van Martin's Lane, and whose husband always used good language when sober, and bought his liquor of a man who always bought it at Van Martin's wholesale house in the city, I shall not undertake to explain. On the evening of which I write, a very select company was gathered in the handsome parlors, and sociability was at its height. The ward boys were not there, certainly. Neither was Paul Adams. In fact, at that moment, he was pouring over Merivale in a way that would have gratified that author. But Mrs. Fenton, in her becoming dark green silk and velvet suit, sat in a cozy corner of the room talking socially with Dr. Monteth,

Starting point is 02:56:33 While over at the piano, Young Bennett turned the leaves of the long and intricate piece of instrumental music, which Miss Amy Allison was faithfully banging, for the benefit, apparently, of aiding the conversationalists to be more confidential about their chosen themes, for it was most noticeable that none of the company, if I accept Young Bennett himself, was listening to the banging. Caroline was there, of course. Mrs. Chester would have felt it impossible to give a social entertainment without Caroline's presence. She appeared from time to time during the evening, now with a salver-bearing cut-glass goblets of water, again with ices and coffee and fruits, moving quietly, skillfully among the different groups, with such a practiced eye for details that no one of the company was allowed to realize a moment's neglect. With such quiet swift,

Starting point is 02:57:27 that the business of waiting on the guests, to the numerous dishes that fashion decrees necessary to an evening entertainment, seemed to be gotten over with much less delay than as usual. Mrs. Fenton, watching Caroline in her dark, plain dress and linen collar and cuffs, her hair destitute of flower or ribbon now, for she was one who never added those little touches, save among her friends, could not help thinking how entirely capable the girl was of sitting down beside her and enjoying Dr. Montief's conversation. She detained her just a moment while she helped herself to fruit. Dr. Monteth is telling me about his visit to Rome, Caroline, and it is more interesting than Maravale. Is it? said Caroline, smiling and flushing. She would not be guilty

Starting point is 02:58:17 of saying she wished she could hear it, but Dr. Monteth glanced up quickly at the name of Maravale and said in a somewhat wondering tone, Why, good evening. It was evident that he had not recognized her before, though she had served him to coffee. I am sure you must like Maravale, notwithstanding Mrs. Fenton's insinuation. It is beautifully written, I think.

Starting point is 02:58:41 I did not say that it wasn't, Mrs. Fenton replied promptly. Still, I like best to talk face to face with one who has seen for himself. Don't you think that is a improvement, Caroline? I should think it would be. And then she moved quickly away. What would Mrs. Chester think if she could see her second girl apparently carrying on a familiar conversation with Mrs. Fenton and Dr. Monteth? How is that? The doctor asked, and he looked over Caroline

Starting point is 02:59:12 with a puzzled air. Who is Miss Caroline? I can't at this moment recall having heard her other name. Is she a good friend of this family, who makes herself useful? Her name is Caroline Raynor. She gets it from a great grandfather of German extraction, I believe, and she has been Mrs. Chester's second girl for several years, and is a good friend of mine. I believe I think rather more of her than of any other young lady of my acquaintance. There was a little flush on Mrs. Fenton's cheeks

Starting point is 02:59:43 that had not been there a moment before, and a bright light in her eyes. She was by no means a strong-minded woman, perhaps I mean rather, a strong-hearted woman. It cost her an effort to make this avowal. It was such a long stride away from conventionality, and Centerville, like most little towns, having a vein of aristocracy in them with little to build aristocracy out of, was very particular about the conventionalities. Dr. Monteth regarded her for a moment with a thoughtful air, and a keen glance that looked quickly and satisfactorily beneath the surface of things,

Starting point is 03:00:22 and then, screened from general view as they were, by the overshadowing of a large and highly ornamented fire-screen, he suddenly held out his hand. Let us shake hands over the advanced step which you have evidently taken Mrs. Fenton, in putting real merit before the accident of position. I like that, and if I can at any time serve you in your plans, I shall be gladly at your service. I wish, said Mrs. Fenton to herself, that that was something I could tell Caroline. What a grand man he is. Dr. Monteth was not ready to let the subject drop. He cross-questioned a little concerning Caroline. Wasn't she an unusual person for her years? What had been her advantages? How had she been reduced to her present position? How had Mrs. Fenton fallen in with her? By what means had she been induced to

Starting point is 03:01:16 join the CLSC. Yes, she is an unusual girl, Mrs. Fenton answered emphatically. She had never had any advantages, save that of a good mother. She was not reduced in position, on the contrary she had advanced her present place bringing her better wages and more quiet than she had ever enjoyed before. As to joining the circle, the lady said, warming with her subject, To tell you the truth, the circle joined her, at least our branch of it. She was actually struggling on alone, had commenced the course last years, and was making a brave fight. I had to go to her for much of my information after I became interested. But where did she get the idea, or learn of the existence of such an institution? You say she has had no advantages above her

Starting point is 03:02:08 present position? She picked it up. Mrs. Fenton said, laughing, and then, moved by that subtle sense of being in company with a sympathetic nature, which we sometimes feel even in talking with strangers, she told him the story of the faithful struggling mother and her homely watchword, pick him up, Caroline, which had held itself as a banner over the girl from her babyhood, urging her forward. When the brief story was concluded, Dr. Montief sat in silence, that sort of silence which can be felt. felt. Mrs. Fenton glanced once at the clear-cut intellectual features, then dropped her eyes. Was it possible that there were tears in his? This story moves me strangely, he said at last, and his

Starting point is 03:02:56 voice was certainly husky. I had a good mother, and I came up through all the younger portion of my life in a hand-to-hand struggle with poverty. It was about that time that young Bennett first noticed the existence of Caroline. He studied her face doubtfully for a moment, then bent his tall self to Amy, who had finished pounding the piano and was standing at his side. Where have I seen that girl who is serving those tardy people in the back parlor to fruit? Her face looks curiously familiar. Why, Mr. Bennett, I am surprised at your disloyalty to our circle. She is one of the prominent members. Ah, it is in that comparison. that I have seen her. I remember now. Well, what is she doing here in this position?

Starting point is 03:03:45 This is her legitimate position. She is Mrs. Chester's second girl. Mr. Bennett elevated his eyebrows. He was a young man of fine family, with high notions as regarded birth and blood, and I am afraid money also. He did not mean to be a simpleton, but despite his usual good sense, he could not help saying to the bit of silk and lace besides him. Upon my word, things are getting somewhat mixed. Yes, said the fair little parrot, I think they are. And by so much did he make Caroline's road harder for her. All unintentionally, too, for young Bennett was a gentleman, and, having been introduced to Caroline by no less responsible a person than Mrs. Fenton, had he met her on the street the next day, he would have acknowledged the acquaintance by a courteous

Starting point is 03:04:37 bow without reference to her position as Mrs. Chester's servant. The most dangerous people in society are the aforesaid parrots, who copy without thought what they see and who, like the genuine parrots, generally exaggerate the original. Miss Amy Allison determined then and there that she really must avoid noticing Caroline again, as she almost had to do the other day. Later in the evening, Mrs. Fenton found her. herself seated by her old acquaintance, Jack Butler, and it chanced that she had not held any conversation with him since the day he undertook to quench her literary aspirations

Starting point is 03:05:17 under a deluge of words about the superficiality of the entire scheme. He had in no sense lost his patronizing manner. "'Well, Mrs. Fenton,' he said, turning suddenly from a younger face to give her her crumb of attention, "'how are your hopes? Do you still have a longing to see a literary and scientific circle flourishing around you? Why, Jack, said Mrs. Fenton, who had lost all sense of awe for the wise young man, you are quite behind the times. Our circle is formed and flourishing. Is it indeed? I am surprised, and I congratulate you. Who is your presiding officer, may I ask? Upon my word, they ought to have elected you. Oh, no, we have one much better suited to the position,

Starting point is 03:06:07 We honored Dr. Gilbert Monteith with that office. Dr. Gilbert Monteith! And Mrs. Fenton will always laugh when she thinks of the unbounded astonishment in Jack's voice, and the sudden way in which he came out of his graceful lounging attitude into an erect posture, and the instant dropping of his unnecessary eyeglasses, to give her a genuine stare from his own honest eyes,

Starting point is 03:06:31 as he said, Why, how on earth? Just then occurred a divering. It chanced that Jack's little sister, Laura, was a special friend of Eleanor Chester, aged six, and therefore had been permitted to come and help her small friend get in the way of her elders, and enjoy the unwonted lateness of the hour, and unlimited cake and fruit. The said Laura, having wandered away from her companion for a few minutes, and found the conversation of her elders uninteresting,

Starting point is 03:07:02 had drawn a large book from the table near her and given herself up to its vast, until suddenly, with the utter indifference of childhood to the interests of other people, she dashed into the midst of the conversation with a question. Jack, what is the palatine? Laura, said the sage gravely, you should not interrupt conversation. And Miss Laura, who had probably been told that same truth about five hundred times, patiently leaned against her brother's chair and patiently waited while he constructed an unusually elaborate sentence, making it as long as he conveniently could, trying, meanwhile, to puzzle out

Starting point is 03:07:43 for himself a reason why the eminent scholar in their midst should have seen fit to toy with this Chautauqua scheme. At the first semblance of a pause, Laura repeated her question, her eyes riveted on the outline picture which had called it forth. Please tell me what the palatine is and where it is and all about it, Jack? Really, Laura, I think I have to petition mother to send you into retirement if you cannot observe better manners. The young oracle had flushed hotly, and his tone was that which in common parlance we call cross. He was so young, and had made so little progress in the career of a scholar, that he really felt it an overwhelming disgrace to be obliged to admit to his little sister

Starting point is 03:08:28 that his present ideas of the palatine were too foggy to present to her with any degree of clearness. Indeed, so great was his present confusion, that, for the moment, he hardly knew whether the word palatine applied to anything with which he had ever been acquainted. Part of his discomfiture was certainly caused by the knowledge of the fact that Mrs. Fenton's eyes had a mischievous smile in them, as though she were triumping over him in some way, and he had a horror of being triumphed over. "'Oh, dear!' said the young seeker after facts. I wish I knew." Then Mrs. Fenton bent forward and addressed her.

Starting point is 03:09:10 I'll tell you, dear, it was, is, one of the seven hills of Rome, the central one, very beautifully situated, and interesting because of a great many things which you will learn when you are old enough to study history. Is it near a river? asked Laura, gazing thoughtfully at the outline. Oh, yes, the tiber was just a little west of it, not more than, but to be a little bit of it, than 18 miles away from its mouth. That doesn't look like 18 miles, doesn't. Is it a big river? demanded the small investigator, as she followed with her eye the little black thread, and evidently set her imagination at work, making a majestic stream out of it.

Starting point is 03:09:52 Rather big, at least much bigger than it looks there. It is about 200 miles long. My, said Laura, much amazed that that small black thread could represent present such a stretch of country. Two hundred miles seemed to her a long, long journey for even a river to take. Laura is much obliged to you, I am sure. It was Jack's voice, but the crossness had by no means gone out of it, and Mrs. Fenton wondered in an amused way, which he would like to shake, Laura, or herself, or whether he did not think both deserved it. He went on with his attempt to show himself at ease, she is a terror to all her acquaintances a perfect walking interrogation point it is sometimes necessary to resort to sternness in order to be relieved of the nuisance of turning one's self into an encyclopaedia you are quite a historian mrs fenton i don't pretend to be well posted mrs fenton said with dancing eyes and a mouth that laughed despite her quiet answer my knowledge of history is quite superficial but i believe it is correct

Starting point is 03:11:04 as far as it goes. End of Chapter 9. Chapter 10 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slipper-Vox recording is in the public domain. Accidents. Question mark. The Ward family were at the breakfast table. A breakfast table where no mother presides seems at all times a dreary sight. And if, in addition to that, no feminine hand save a hirelings, ministers to the comfort

Starting point is 03:11:39 of the family, the desolation is increased. Still, there is certainly a difference in higherlings, the one who presided over the Ward household was the poorest of her kind. Therefore the tablecloth was drearily spotted with yoke of eggs, coffee stains, gravy stains, and the like. Also, it was put on in a drearily crooked manner, and had a dreary hole at one end. Mr. Ward, Sr. looked older by several years than he ought, and stirred, his muddy coffee in a desolate way, and looked with a discouraged air at the slices of stale bread and the untidy butterplate, and felt as though he wanted no breakfast for some reason, and yet must get through the form of eating it. His two sons were seated on opposite

Starting point is 03:12:27 sides of the table, and were the only other occupants of the room. Nancy, the housekeeper and made of all work, who usually occupied the seat at the foot of the table, was absent this morning intent on some kitchen work, and father and sons were alone. James was rather gratified over this state of things, for he had a matter of importance to bring before his father. Since the evening that we first made this young man's acquaintance, he had had some strange experiences. It would have been impossible for him to have explained to any person the reasons for the numerous revulsions of feeling which he had endured. A hundred times, it seemed to him, had he gone over the story of his past life and the possibilities of the

Starting point is 03:13:15 future, and pronounced himself a fool and adult and a hulking scoundrel, and sundry other hard names with which his street life had made him familiar. There were times when he told himself that it was too late to make any changes now. He was nothing but an ignoramus, and would never be anything else. There were times when he told himself that he had not the least to be any other, he was nothing desire to crawl in among those upstarts and pretend to be smart when he wasn't. There were times when he assured himself that he had no taste in that direction, and didn't want to have. Their books were stupid, and their talk was stupid, and he wasn't intended to be one of them, and was glad

Starting point is 03:13:58 of it. There were times when he was certain that it made no sort of difference to him, whether any of those people who thought themselves better than common folks, noticed him or not. But But there were also times when he admitted that he wished with all his soul that he belonged to that special clique by right of mental power, as did some of the others. Bennett, for instance. He was unlike Paul Adams, in that he could not settle a question at once and leave it settled. Instead, he went back to it again and again, going over the same ground, and coming to different conclusions, according to the mood in which he started.

Starting point is 03:14:38 There were days when he was not so much disgusted with anything in life as with his copy of Meravail. There had as yet been no time in which he had settled himself with a determination to master it, such a determination as Paul brought to his first chapter. Yet by degrees had James Ward been drawn steadily towards the decision for which his friends were watching. Such a succession of curious and apparently trivial incidents as had contributed toward this decision. One afternoon, when he was coming slowly down street with his head bent on the ground, going

Starting point is 03:15:14 over the problem and wondering how he could decently reply in the negative to a note that Dr. Monteith had sent him, giving him a special invitation to the next circle, he came in direct contact with that gentleman. He had studied out an answer by that time, and it was in the negative, and he felt cross and defiant. In the precise mood not to care what Dr. Monteth thought of him. him. Now for it, he said, as he saw the gentleman approaching rapidly.

Starting point is 03:15:44 I'll tell him, no, I won't come, that I wasn't cut out for a scholar, and there is no use in trying to spoil the pattern. I'll tell him there are too many literary stuck-ups now, and I don't want to swell the number, and that I think my kind of life is the gayer of the two, and I mean to stick to it, and he can just let me alone." Did Dr. Monteth, careful student of human nature as he was, see the defiant glitter in the young man's eyes? If he did, he made no sign. Neither did he ask for any momentous decision.

Starting point is 03:16:19 Instead, he said heartily, Ha, Ward, perhaps you are just the man I want. Don't you pass Mr. Allison's on your way home? I thought so. Could you accommodate me by calling at the door and leaving this package for Miss Amy? It is some CLSC circulars that I promised she should have this evening. She wished them for special reference, I think, and I am unusually busy tonight. How was a reasonable person to refuse so simple a request as that, even though he were

Starting point is 03:16:50 cross? Young Ward did not see his way clear to saying no, albeit he took the package somewhat reluctantly. Thank you, said the doctor still heartily, ignoring the ungraciousness if he saw him. If you chance to see Miss Amy, perhaps you will be kind enough to explain to her that the full course is not announced in this circular. There are certain studies not yet arranged that will be duly announced later. If he should chance to see Miss Amy. The suggestion was a startling one. He had never rung Mr. Allison's doorbell, he had never expected to as a caller.

Starting point is 03:17:29 It seemed to him a very near approach to that condition to be sent on an air, to Miss Amy with a verbal message for her. The suggestion was not entirely unpleasant. Still, it was not in the least likely he should see the young lady. I know one thing, I shan't ask for her, he told himself as he transferred the package to his pocket. But behold, Miss Amy was in the hall, on her way to the door when the bell rang. She was in her new walking suit, and the cunningest of fur caps was perched jauntily on one side of of her head. A great green bird, looking as though it had just delighted there to peer at her a minute, adorned its front, and altogether Miss Amy was pretty to behold. She advanced and opened the door

Starting point is 03:18:17 herself. Now, although her good resolution not to be acquainted with Caroline was taken so recently, young Ward was a different person. He certainly was no second help in anyone's house, and he was a young man. Miss Amy was of the type of silly girlhood to whom a young man is a continued and irresistible source of pleasure. To be sure, Young Ward bore a most unenviable reputation. She had more than once heard her father say that he was a hard case, and would bring up in state prison yet if he continued to do nothing but lounge around the streets and smoke cigars. But still, she could no more help being chatty and agreeable to him than she could help looking like a butterfly that was going to float away into the air.

Starting point is 03:19:06 Oh, good evening, she said. Are those the circulars that Dr. Monteth promised me? I'm going to send one to my cousin Harvey. I want him to get up a circle, but I don't believe he will. Harvey is a real dunce about books. He doesn't like to read. He hates history, he says, but I tell him this is very different from sitting down alone in reading. Don't you think so? Young Ward admitted that he did, and then he bethought himself of Dr. Montief's directions, and gave them as lucidly as he could. And Miss Amy thanked him, and chatted on, and finally it transpired that she was just going downtown, and would walk with him as far as the corner.

Starting point is 03:19:49 So they went down Main Street together, and it is a singular fact that it was the first time in his life that Young Ward ever found himself walking in the pleasant light of a winter sunset, side by side with a well-dressed lady-like girl. I am not sure that he was conscious of any connection between the two when he reconsidered the question of the circle after leaving Miss Amy at the corner, and concluded that perhaps he would do well to try it a little while anyway. He could drop off at any time he chose.

Starting point is 03:20:22 If he could have gone home with Amy and been invisible while the Alice and family gathered at the supper table and listened to the conversation, I cannot undertake to say what effect it might have had on his resolution. Something like this occurred. Amy, did my eyes deceive me, or did I see you walking out this afternoon with that scapegrace of a ward? I put on my glasses and came to the office door to look after you, and even then I felt as though I must be mistaken. It was her father's voice, and her mother exclaimed, Why, Amy Allison, it isn't possible that you were out walking with him.

Starting point is 03:21:03 In the same breath, her 16-year-old brother said, Upon my word, Amy, you aimed high this afternoon, didn't you? Oh, now, said Miss Amy, what a commotion you are making about nothing. He stopped at the door with some papers that Dr. Monteth sent around to me, just as I was going out, and I couldn't well avoid walking to the corner with him. Dr. Monteth, is Jim Ward his errand-boy? This from the brother. Then Miss Amy.

Starting point is 03:21:34 No, he isn't. Then the father, No, I'll be bound he isn't. He hasn't that amount of respectability about him. He is too lazy ever to be any one's errand boy. My dear, said the mother, I am afraid you are too careless about your appearance on the street. I hope you will take care that you are not his companion again,

Starting point is 03:21:56 even as far as the corner. I shouldn't like to have your name mentioned in connection with him. Before Amy could pucker her pretty lips for an answer, her father saved her the trouble. No, indeed, daughter, I suppose your good nature is equal to doing almost anything to save a person's feelings, but James Ward is not the sort of fellow whose feelings need to be carefully considered. I won't have you walking with him even to the corner. Don't forget it. I haven't the least desire to, Papa. And here the conversation drifted into other channels, father and mother Allison feeling comfortably over the thought

Starting point is 03:22:36 that they had thus warned their lamb of the danger of evil associates, and helped to guard her against future indiscretions. Life is full of queer places. Of course, everyone who has thoughtfully studied the dangers of youth and the temptations of evil companionship is in sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Allison, and yet their daughter, as regarded the act for which they had been censuring her, was really nearer to accomplishing something worth living for

Starting point is 03:23:05 than she had ever been before during her pretty useless life. After all, there is a way out of the puzzle. One cannot help wishing that Amy had been the sort of girl to whom her father could have said, Well, daughter, I saw you taking a few steps with Young Ward today. I suppose you remembered whose banner you fight under while you walked with him and tried to prevail on him to enlist, didn't you? But then, in order to make that remark, Mr. Allison would have had to be a different father from the one he was. Meantime, I am glad that James Ward did not hear the tea-table conversation in this Christian family.

Starting point is 03:23:46 His interest in Miss Amy was a sort of flitting fancy, such as one might readily have for a sunny butterfly. And, of course, his decision, only half-hearted as it was, varied again with the next breath that depressed the arguments for it. Yet it was worthy of notice that his objections to it were weaker than before. Still, the few peeps that he took into Maravale discouraged him as he had not supposed a single book could, and the more regular life he was trying to lead was becoming a great bore to him. meantime he began to grow very weary of this indecision and to wish that something would happen to settle it for him one way or the other something did happen curiously enough paul adams had a hand in the matter his devotion to maravale which continued at white heat so absorbed his evenings that although joe especially missed him sadly and tried heartily to beguile him

Starting point is 03:24:45 into his old haunts, it had been in vain. Joe, by the way, about whom I find I have said nothing, was insufferably bored by this entire matter. It took none of his time to reach a decision. He would have none of it. Books were not to his mind, never had been, never would be. He cared not a fig for Mrs. Fenton's parlor, or for Dr. Monteth's notice. Miss Amy might bow and smile upon him for a month at a time, and it would have made no more difference to him than her ignoring of his existence would have done. Save so far as it had ruined Paul, and made his brother a silent nuisance, Joe bore the circle no ill will, but he wanted nothing of it. It in no sense appealed to his sympathies. What was there that would? What is Paul about evenings

Starting point is 03:25:37 anyway, asked James Ward, suddenly waking to the fact that his brother had been grumbling for half an hour over some failure of plans owing to Paul's desertion. About, why, he's swallowing that outrageous book that you were such a stupid as to buy. He pours over it all day in the shop, and all night at home, and is going stark crazy, I verily believe, over the blamed old Romans. I wish they had been drowned in their famous Tiber before ever I heard of them. Here was food for thought, James Ward turned the puzzle over and over in his mind during the day, trying to solve it. When at school, he had been judged a passable scholar, quick to learn when he chose to apply himself, and more than once his teacher had told

Starting point is 03:26:25 him confidentially that there was the stuff in him to make a student of if he would work. Down deep in his heart, James had always carried a sort of fancy that if his mother had lived and had wanted him to, very much indeed, he would have worked at his books and been a scholar to please her. But the father did not care for books, and there seemed nobody to please, and no motive sufficiently strong to keep him out of mischief. But here was Paul Adams, who had never done anything in school, never been to any but the very ordinary common school, while James, James had spent nearly two years at the Academy, and Paul Adams was pouring over Merivale's Rome, while he had not been able to get through three chapters of it. It chanced that that very evening Paul took a holiday and came down to see his old friends. They sat up until after ten o'clock in that same disorderly room, and James questioned and cross-questioned the boy,

Starting point is 03:27:25 thus suddenly transformed into the student. There was no denying the fact that he was desperately and earnest about Rome, and also wonderfully interested. More than that, he was able to impart information. See here, he said, and he had drawn from his pocket a thick, smooth board, covered all over with dots and lines. Here are the seven hills as large as life, that is, if you put imagination enough into it. And here's the tiber winding along, goes this way, and then that. Up here are the Apennines, and over there are the Alps. Tall fellows, those, I tell you, but the seven hills aren't so very high. This old Palatine is my favorite, nicest location that for a house that I know of.

Starting point is 03:28:13 When I build mine, I think of putting it there. Then did James pour the puzzled questions at him, while Joe sat with his hands in his pocket, a look of unutterable disgust on his face, whistling, Hail Columbia. There was certainly no doubt about it. Paul Adams was becoming acquainted with Rome. If he can understand the book and get interested in it like this, there is no reason on earth why I shouldn't.

Starting point is 03:28:41 This was James Ward's decision, and just then he leaned very far toward the definite settlement in favor of the CLSC. One more gentle wave would carry him over the bar, and it came to him the very next afternoon, came too through Amy Allison's unthinking aid. He was passing up the one main street, and the afternoon being pleasant it was unusually filled with promenaders, among them pretty Miss Amy, in a more becoming street suit than before, and by her side, Jack Butler. James Ward was, however, sufficiently

Starting point is 03:29:17 indifferent to her not to recognize who she was until just as he was about to pass the couple, being annoyed by their slow progress. Then he turned his head in her direction, and recognized the gay bird looking down into her eyes, and then the eyes looking up. Then he bowed, and Miss Amy, albeit she would hardly have had the courage to have walked with him again to the corner,

Starting point is 03:29:42 had no disposition in her gay little heart to ignore so admiring a bow as he bestowed upon her, especially as she insisted to herself that he had real handsome eyes, eyes. Some obstruction occurred on the street just then, and James, although in front of the couple, had to move very slowly. The question is, did Jack Butler know that his voice would be heard? Whether he did or not, it was, and what he said was, What on earth is that fellow bowing to you for? What fellow? And the bright eyes beneath the

Starting point is 03:30:18 bird's eyes were raised to the speaker. Why, that ward youngster? How, how, does he happen to be sufficiently acquainted with you to bow? Oh, we are acquainted. I met him at Mrs. Fenton's, at our circle, you know. Upon my word I did not know. Your circle is no respecter of persons, it seems. Really, that is too rich. And Jack Butler laughed in a tone that so finished a gentleman ought to have known was too loud for the street. Then he added, Why, my dear Miss Amy, your charity is unbounded, but that boy is simply a street lounger, only that and nothing more. He hasn't brains enough to be anything very bad, still I would just as soon you wouldn't recognize his bow. As for being a member of a literary society, it is too ridiculous to call forth any emotion but ridicule.

Starting point is 03:31:14 The obstruction was removed, and Young Ward passed on, but his face was white and his his eyes burned. He had not learned delicacy of speech in his street life, so perhaps it is not strange that he expressed himself after this wise. You unsufferable puppy, if I hadn't more brains than you have, I'd knock them out on the nearest tree. We'll see if I can't provoke some other emotion besides ridicule by belonging to a literary society. And the momentous decision having passed through as many windings as the tiber itself was finally made. End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy.

Starting point is 03:32:03 This Libravox recording is in the public domain. To the rescue. Between the succession of apparent accidents that had at last brought James Ward to a decision, and the time that he sat with his father and brother at the breakfast table, several weeks had intervened. There had been four meetings of the CLSC, and both Paul Adams and James Ward were emphatically identified with it. As for Joe, he might be called a hanger on. He attended the meetings, because it was so much a part of his nature to go where James did,

Starting point is 03:32:37 that he would not have known himself had he done otherwise. But it was always under protest. He growled continually, and yet between times unwittingly strengthened his brother's resolution by prophesying that this sort of thing wouldn't last, that he and Paul would soon get tired of pretending to be what they were not, and would drop back into the old life. Now a certain type of character is always strengthened by being assured of prospective failure.

Starting point is 03:33:08 James Ward grew more determined with every passing day to succeed. Meantime, his father was watching him with a bewildered feeling that he did not know his own son, that something had changed him was evident. Of his own will, he had asked a place in the store from which his indolence had shut him out more than a year before, and was holding steadily to business hours and habits.

Starting point is 03:33:33 But the father lived in daily expectation, like Joe, of seeing him get tired of this sort of thing. The literary society he had heard of and dismissed with a half sneer. Not that he despised learning, he would have been not only willing but proud had one of his sons chosen the life of a student, but that they were no students, and could by no process of their own, become such, or indeed anything else that was desirable, was a belief so firmly fixed that nothing as yet had shaken it.

Starting point is 03:34:07 His manner towards either of the sons had not materially changed, and yet occasionally James imagined that there was a shade less gruffness than usual, and that he listened with some degree of interest when business questions were being discussed. If James could have known how often he said to himself with a sigh, If his mother had lived, she would have made a businessman of him, I believe. He would have understood his father better. On this particular morning, James had a request to make, so strange in itself that his face was flushed with embarrassment,

Starting point is 03:34:43 and he turned over and over in his mind various ways of preceptive. presenting it. His father would be severely unbelieving as to the sense of the suggestion, and Joe would laugh. Both laughter and severity James Ward hated. Still, he proposed to brave them. Father, the literary society to which we belong, has voted to meet at the homes of the different members. Could we invite them to come here, do you think? He was mistaken about Joe. That young man was too much astonished to laugh. Instead, he stared. Literary society, and the father sneered. Since when did you become literary? This question brought Joe's laugh. I am not over and above literary yet, said James, striving to retain his temper, but I belong to a literary society and would like to have them meet at our house if you have no objection. That is just another name for nonsense, or what is worse, I suppose, card-playing and the mischief knows what going on under cover of literature. I have heard of such things before.

Starting point is 03:35:54 James Ward felt very angry, especially as Joe laughed. To be sure, Joe was only laughing at his father's mistake in setting the company who gathered at the CLSC meetings to card-playing or anything else that was disreputable. But how could his brother know that? Still, James having a point to carry, struggled with his insulted feelings. We have nothing going on at these meetings that you could object to, sir.

Starting point is 03:36:22 The names of the members are a sufficient guarantee for that. Your name, for instance, this time with an undoubted sneer. No, sir, not my name, no one can understand better than I how worthless that would be in your eyes. The moment the words were spoken, he was sorry for them. With all his faults, James Ward had never been guilty, of actual face-to-face impudence towards his father. It had always seemed to him that a certain dim memory of his mother

Starting point is 03:36:52 came between him and the words that he might have said. Silence fell between them for a little, during which time James Ward told himself that this was the last favor he would ever ask of his father, that he had been trying for weeks to do his best, and had been treated as sternly as though he were making rapid strides toward ruin all the time, which only served to show how little his father really cared for him.

Starting point is 03:37:19 Just as soon as it was possible to get away from home, he would go. He had been treated like a baby long enough. Just at this point, the grim-voiced father spoke again. What names do you propose to offer as a guarantee of respectability? Young Bennett, the law student as a member, and the Fenton's and Mrs. Dayton Allen, and Judge Allison's daughter, and the Burtons and Dr. Montief is our president. How James Ward enjoyed pouring out this list of eminently respectable names

Starting point is 03:37:52 to the utter astonishment of his father. Who? said the amazed man, apparently not daring to trust his ears over the last-mentioned name. Professor Monteth, sir, he is spending a year here, you know. There was no reply to this, whether the father was stunned or whether he was doubtful, did not appear. Joe chuckled a little. He was capable of seeing the ludicrous side of almost anything, and he rejoiced over his father's astonishment. In fact, much as he hated the circle,

Starting point is 03:38:26 he decided to volunteer some information. You might keep on, Jim, we have a good many names more stunning than the ones you have given. We've got the top of the heapser in our set this time. Still no answer from the father. James drank another couple of of coffee, helping himself, since the slovenly Nancy chose not to appear, and concluded that his plans were a failure. Then Mr. Ward said slowly, doubtfully, our house is hardly in condition to entertain company. We used to keep things in shape years ago, but we are far from having things like other people now. Then James, speaking eagerly, oh, it is not like company, they don't need entertaining, All we want is a room with lamps and a fire in it.

Starting point is 03:39:16 The parlor would do very well if Nancy were to sweep and dust it. I don't believe the chimney will draw. It is almost a dozen years, seems to me, since we had a fire in that stove. Still, the chimney might be cleaned, ought to be, I suppose. It will be a good thing to have the room dusted. I went in there the other day, and I raised such a cloud of dust that it set me to coughing. This from Joe. His father turned toward him, a puzzled look on his face.

Starting point is 03:39:47 Do you belong to this wonderful literary set, too? He asked. Yes and no, said Joe, laughing. I go because Jim does, and because Dr. Monteth invites me every time he sees me, and because Bob Fenton, for some reason, likes to have me come, and he's a plucky little chap, and I like to please him. But I don't plunge into the books as though my life depended on knowing just how many times the old Romans turned around, as Jim and the rest do. I don't think literature

Starting point is 03:40:18 is my forte, sir, but I give them my encouragement all the same. I'm a kind of honorary member, I guess. I hope they feel honored, was his father's sharp reply, but there was a little drawing at the corners of his mouth, as though if he had only been used to and enough to know how, he would have liked to laugh. Then he finished in silence his coffee, which James poured for him. At last he said, There ought to be two or three new lamps before anything of the kind is done. Nancy has about ruined the old ones. They were bought a good while ago, I suppose. And another sigh testified to his sense of the dreariness of the time since his home had fallen into decay. Well, tell Nancy what you want, and I'll see that she does it. As long as you bring respectable people into the house,

Starting point is 03:41:11 it can't hurt. But mind, I'll have no nonsense. None of the things that I forbade years ago must be done under this roof. A moment of hesitation, then a tremulous clearing of his throat, and the silence of years was broken. Your mother didn't believe in any of those things, and if I did myself, which I don't, I wouldn't have her memory dishonored. "'It never shall be, sir,' James Ward said in a low-moved tone, and Joe looked gravely down at his plate, and if the father had but known it, he had done more to draw his sons into the right road by that one sentence than by any words that he had spoken before in years. So the formal invitation for the Circle to hold its next meeting at Mr. Ward's was given,

Starting point is 03:42:03 to the amazement of some and the intense satisfaction of others. Indeed, Mrs. Fenton and Dr. Monteth shook hands over it, as a token that a long stride had been taken on the upward road. We must do everything that we can to make that meeting a success, Dr. Monteth said heartily. But it was very near being a failure. James Ward did his best. He mended the broken hinge of the stove door, and glued the broken ends of two wall brackets, and put new court on his mother's portrait, and finally pulled off his coat one morning, and gave the old stove such a coat of black, and then such a polish, as it had not known for years. The father on his part was mindful of the new order of things, and selected and sent up from the store, four of the finest lamps in stock, and himself

Starting point is 03:42:58 gave most careful directions to Nancy regarding their management. As for Nancy, she was much dazed. She had lived in the ward household for several years, and an innovation like this had never been seen. She grumbled not a little to herself over her extra work, and declared that these new doings were not at all to her mind. Whether it was for punishment, or whether she hailed it as a relief, I will not attempt to say, but on the very day before the important evening, what did Nancy do but let her two cheeks puff out like pillows, and her neck on either side swell even with her cheeks. An unmistakable case of mumps, and poor Nancy, unused a pain of any kind, rebelled at this, and believed that she was sick

Starting point is 03:43:46 unto death, and insisted on being bundled into a sleigh and carried home. And the parlor was still unswept, to say nothing of haul and stairs. Neither were the hundred little things done that crowd together calling for attention so sure as company is expected. What was to be done? James and Joe discussed the question with dismayed faces. Joe was sympathetic. He did not believe in the circle. Still, he desired that it should receive all honor in his father's house. There was a free-hearted hospitality naturally about Joe that would have made him a good host given the chance. We shall just have to give it up. James said at last, intense disappointment on his face.

Starting point is 03:44:33 Just then came Paul on his way to afternoon work. What's up? He asked, halting, seeing the look of dismay on the faces of both brothers. How could Paul Adams help them? Still feeling the need of sympathy from some quarter, they gave him a detailed account of Nancy's unfeeling behavior and the disaster that had followed. Paul stood first on one foot and then on the other,

Starting point is 03:44:59 to keep himself warm and whistled. Presently he spoke, There's mother. So confident did he seem of this fact that the wards looked around, expecting to see the small lean form of Mrs. Adams appearing in sight from around the corner. But Paul's eyes were cast meditatively on the ground, and after a brief silence from all parties, he continued. She knows how to sweep and dust and all that kind of thing, you know, and she isn't going to be very busy tomorrow because she was wishing this morning that she had some more shirts to make, and she is always ready to do things for folks so that if you wanted her, you know. Here Paul paused in doubt as to how to proceed.

Starting point is 03:45:44 It was entirely new business for him, this offering to accommodate people with the loan of his mother. Light began to dawn on James Ward's troubled face. He felt a sudden sense of respect for Paul, Nay, almost of envy, for had not Paul a mother? But he spoke eagerly. I begin to see daylight. You are pretty sure she would come, Paul for a little while and help us through? Paul nodded emphatically. She would if I wanted her to, he said, with a certain confident air in her in her willingness to gratify him, which made the hearts of the wards twinge again with a little touch of envy. They felt sure that their mother would have done things to gratify them. So it was agreed

Starting point is 03:46:30 that this new idea should be presented to the elder ward forthwith. He received the intelligence with that sort of ejaculation, which may mean almost anything, according as you are in the mood to interpret. But at the tea table, after a more silent meal than usual, he said precisely in the tone that he would have used, had the subject been up for discussion between them. Very well, one of you go around to the widow Adams this evening, and see if she will come tomorrow morning and spend the day and do what is to be done. I'll give her a dollar. And the ward boys knew enough of the widow Adam's condition, and of their father's habits,

Starting point is 03:47:10 to be aware that this was a good offer for her and benevolence in him. directly that dismal supper was concluded, and the family were each secretly astonished to discover how much more dismal it could be without Nancy than with her, James proceeded on his way. The widow Adams was not exactly adverse to the proceeding, but she was bewildered. She had by no means recovered from her bewilderment over Paul. Every added day that saw him go steadily to his work was an astonishment to her. For weeks she had believed that he was working to raise money to carry out some dark scheme, the details of which had been planned on that first memorable weekday evening

Starting point is 03:47:53 when he had insisted on having a clean shirt. For she was still in lamentable ignorance of the proceedings of that evening. She had no friends who could enlighten her. She had heard nothing further of the CLSC, so she brooded in silence. Dupal the Justice to understand that he had forgotten all about the mystery, and had no idea that he was daily ringing his mother's heart. Within a few days a wonderful thing had occurred. Paul had brought home and placed on the kitchen table a brand-new lamp, filled and trimmed, which, when lighted, shut a halo of brightness

Starting point is 03:48:33 over the dismal room, such as it had not seen for years. Over this present, the widow Adams had both laughed and wept, since which time she had gone around in an utterly dazed way. She did not know what she thought. Still, she looked upon this new departure with grave suspicion. What could the ward boys want of her? Likely they wanted her to come to their house and sweep and clear up. Why, they lived in that great square brick house on the corner. The boys were just playing a trick on her. They were hard boys, up to all sorts of pranks. It had to troubled her all her life that Paul would have anything to do with them. I don't care if their father is a rich man, she would say with great earnestness,

Starting point is 03:49:20 for to the widow Adam's vision, Mr. Ward was a rich man. I'd rather you would grow up poor as Job was after he lost everything and be respectable. Then would Paul good-naturedly assure her that he was poor enough, and that as to the respectability he would think about it. He gave over trying to enlist her sympathies in favor of the wards, since he could not make her understand what was wanted, and trusted to their own efforts to bring matters right. It proved not to be a very difficult thing to do.

Starting point is 03:49:54 Dollar bills were not so plenty in the widow Adams' experience that she could afford to lose this opportunity of earning one by spending a day at the wards, with nothing in life to do, as she expressed it in a bewildered way to Paul when he ate his early breakfast the next morning. Nothing in life to do but sweep and dust and get them poor creatures some dinner and supper.

Starting point is 03:50:18 Get them good ones, said Paul, taking huge bites of his Johnny cake. I don't believe they have good things very often, that Nancy looks as though she didn't know how to comb her hair, nor get dinner. What connection there was between the two occupations Paul did not explain. He looked his mother, over from head to foot, in her neat, straight, dark dress, without ruffle or pucker, her gray

Starting point is 03:50:44 hair combed plainly back under the meekest of widow's caps. Paul wouldn't have undertaken to have explained the difference, but in his estimation there were miles of distance between his mother and That Nancy. End of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 of The Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Enlarging the circle. Good land! This was the strongest form of emphasis of which the widow Adams was known to be guilty. Even this she used only on extreme occasions, that the present was a very extreme occasion, and that the exclamation was intended to show her dismay, not to say disgust, was apparent from her face. The occasion was when she first looked

Starting point is 03:51:41 into Nancy's kitchen. It really was a sight to drive a neat housekeeper wild. Greasy floor, greasy tables, sooty walls, gray ash-bistroon, grease-streaked stove, greasy tins and sticky tins, and dishes roughened by long months of mussy washing, setting in a sort of dreary confusion on sticky shelves. Plates of moldy bread and a jar of fat, moldy cucumber pickles, a plate of wilted baked potatoes, another of ends of meat, a bowl of very sour milk, another of moldy gravy. This was the furniture of the pantry. No wonder that Mrs. Adams, as she surveyed the scene with neat skirts gathered in a gingerly way about her spare form, an intense disgust on her face, said again, Good land! How anybody can be so nasty beats me!

Starting point is 03:52:36 Mrs. Adams was not a member of any literary society, had never been, and she did not know that the adjective that she used was an inelegant word. As for the dishcloth, which she found lying in an ill-smelling little heap, where the dismal Nancy had left it when the mumps got possession of her, with the aid of the tongs, she unceremoniously landed it in the stove. Then she tucked up her skirts, put on a large apron that covered her clean dress, pushed her sleeves above her. pushed her sleeves above her elbows and went to work. The hard-working little woman had spent many busy days, but perhaps none were ever busier than that in which she reorganized the ward homestead. She felt herself in honor-bound to begin in the parlor,

Starting point is 03:53:22 because of the mysterious performances, which she did not yet understand, that were to take place there in the evening. She still believed that the doings were to be more or less disreputable, But even in that case, there was no reason why they should be carried on in such a musty, dusty, ill-conditioned room as she found that parlor to be. So, though she sighed, she worked vigorously. The first move was to carry every article of movable furniture into the hall, then the systematic worker, with damp cloth and dustpan, carefully removed the dust that had accumulated on mantle and window seats, then spread the floor half an inch thick with cornmeal and used her broom vigorously.

Starting point is 03:54:07 Even the carpet must have been astonished over the treatment it received. When every washable article in that room had been washed and polished and arranged with a careful eye towards hiding faded spots and soiled spots and defects generally, even the widow Adams herself was astonished at the result of her handiwork. I'll be bound if it isn't a nice pleasant room as ever was, she said admiringly. When the fire gets made and the shades drawn, and them lamps get lighted, it will look as cheery as need be. I'm free to confess that my heart felt as heavy as lead at the idea of making it fit to sit down in. That Nancy must have been a lazy creature before she took the mumps.

Starting point is 03:54:52 But then maybe the poor thing didn't know how to do. With which charitable conclusion of her soliloquy, she closed the renovated room and trotted back to the kitchen, for it was time to vary her duties now and get the wards some dinner. Rapidly as she had worked, the short winter morning was going fast. Get us a bit of something, the head of the house had said to her, Joe will bring up a piece of steak, but I don't suppose you will have time to cook it, and it doesn't matter much. All this he had said with a sigh and a dreary face, as though life were in every sense a burden,

Starting point is 03:55:31 and the widow Adams, without doing much logical reasoning over causes and defects, still told herself that Mr. Ward was growing gray most dreadfully fast for a man of his age, and she would cook the nicest bit of steak for his dinner that he had had in many a day, poor man. Had she known Nancy better, she would have been even more sure of that. There was very little time for the dining-room. Mrs. Adam sighed over it, and shook her head at it, and assured it that it should have the hardest scrubbing that was ever heard of that afternoon, if she could but get around to it. Then she swept and dusted, and foraged for a clean tablecloth, and took brisk little runs from the pantry to the kitchen, and from the kitchen to the dining-room, and accomplished wonders in a short space, considering the fact that she stopped to wash every dish, she touched. It was just a small, common table, with a coarse-clean tablecloth put on very evenly, and with dishes set squarely, every one of them shining with cleanliness. It was just the simplest of dinners, a dish of baked potatoes, a platter of beefsteak, a plate of butter,

Starting point is 03:56:44 a plate of steaming Johnny cake, and a pot of tea. No pickles or fruits or relishes of any sort. Very little attention had Nancy paid to these unnecessary additions. But I find myself pausing in doubt over my ability to give you even a hint of the effect that it, the sum total, had on the wards. They did not take in a single detail. They only knew that the whole was something that they seemed to have lost way back in the past, and found again that day. It was just a little bit of home. The potatoes came out of the oven at just the right moment.

Starting point is 03:57:21 and their clean shining coats had been scientifically cracked, although Mrs. Adams had never even dreamed that any science was connected with the act, and the steak was broiled briskly over a bed of coals, turned and returned and slashed, and patted with skillful hand, seasoned just right, and came to the table smoking hot. The Johnny Cake had been dashed together in almost breathless haste, Mrs. Adams having put her skilled nose to the sole remaining loaf of bread, and uttered an emphatic, Bha! She regarded her effort with sour milk and egg and meal a little doubtfully. It was done in such an awful hurry, she said excusingly.

Starting point is 03:58:04 I couldn't blame it for not being good. But no one in his senses could have blamed the brown, flaky, dainty-looking loaf, which sent out such a delicate aroma. Certainly the wards did not. Mr. Ward Sr. took his second potato and his second bit of steak and his third bit of cornbread, and finally remarked in a grave way that for some reason he was uncommon hungry. He guessed he ate less breakfast than usual. Well, the widow Adams certainly performed wonders in that house that day. Hull and stairs testified to it, as well as parlor and dining room. These all in fine order, she had intended giving the whole force of her

Starting point is 03:58:47 being to that dreadful kitchen pantry. But it chanced that in her search for something needed, she penetrated to the boy's own room. Mr. Wards she had seen before and made up the bed, not without size and regrets that she must not take the time to sweep in dust and otherwise purify. But the dismal Nancy had done better for that room than anywhere else, and although her best was far below Mrs. Adams's worst, still, after all, there was a decided difference between this and the boys' room. This Mrs. Adams instantly recognized. She stood still in the middle of the floor, and placed both hands on her hips, said, good land, in her most expressive tone, turned her eyes in each dreary direction for a relieving glimpse, and finally her dismay having reached its climax,

Starting point is 03:59:39 she said, Why dear me, good land! Then she set to work, broom, dust-pan, duster, hot soap suds clean bed linen clean spread there were clean things enough piled away on the closet shelves but more than anything else did nancy hate to make use of them because then the soiled ones had to be washed but oh the transformation in that room what wonders a little sweeping and dusting and putting away can accomplish add to this a carefully kept bed with every sheet and cover straight and smooth the whole tucked scientifically in at the sides after being scientifically rolled down at the top, and you have changed a dreary waste into a home room. It would be a curious study to trace the laws of influence, and see in what remote quarters they touch, and how strangely unlike the starting point is the message which it brings to some.

Starting point is 04:00:37 Here were certain people apparently as far removed from the Chautauqua Literarian Scientific Circle as though they lived in a world where it had not reached, and yet it was a very influence was reaching out and touching them through unexpected and unintended processes. The small round table set carefully for supper, with its small white puffs of cream biscuit, its hard-shining pat of butter, its hot applesauce, its plate of soft ginger cake and its fragrant tea, each one of them so simple in itself, having apparently nothing whatever to do with science or literature. And yet it spoke to that weary father and those motherless sons. sons of the literature of home, as nothing for years had spoken. Mr. Ward went swiftly through

Starting point is 04:01:23 the cheery room to his own private bedroom to hide tears that started in his fading eyes. He did not know why they started. It was all such a surprise to him. He had not known before that he had no home. As for Joe, when he first entered his own room that evening to make ready for the unwanted scenes below, he stopped midway in the room, even as Mrs. Adams had done, and, surveying the transformation with an air of utter astonishment for a moment, suddenly made known his opinion. Upon my word, if the CLPXYZ is to be thanked for this whole performance, from the Johnny Cake and Biscuit and Gingerbread up to this sort of looking bed,

Starting point is 04:02:08 why I bow down to it, and from this time am its most devoted admirer. I say, Jim, Paul's mother is an institution, isn't she? So the four new lamps were lighted, and the shining stove glowed, and the fire snapped and sparkled, and the long-unused door-bell rang, and Mrs. Adams, her big apron laid aside, her dress unpinned and smoothed down, her face red, and her manner a trifle flurried, received the guests. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, the latter shaking hands with her cordially, the butlers, even Jack, who had condescended to come as the guest of young Beck. Bennett, Professor Monteth, whom she knew by sight, and who astonished her so by his appearance there that she had nearly dropped the lamp. What strange hallucination was this, that her boy Paul actually supposed himself to belong to this gathering!

Starting point is 04:03:04 Her heart began to tremble over him! What a dreadful mistake he must have made! And he actually intended to come here this evening! Could she prevail upon him to stay in the kitchen with her? was all some mean trick of those dreadful boys, and there she had made cream biscuit for their supper. For about one minute she regretted this act of motherliness. The next came Paul himself, came while she was putting a shade on the lamp, and Joe had opened the door to him, and behold, he walked into that parlor, his clean shirt in perfect order, his clothes brushed neatly,

Starting point is 04:03:41 his hair carefully combed, and behold Professor Monteth said, Ah, Adams, good evening! And then, could the widow Adams believe her eyes? She shaded them with her hand, and reached for her apron to rub away the mist, before she remembered that on this strange evening she wore no apron. Professor Monteth deliberately arose and gave his hand to her Paul, and shook it cordially. And Paul, in no wise discomposed thereby, bowed right and left, and said, Good evening, Mr. Bennett. How are you, Ward? and dropped into his seat as one who was at home and at ease. The porcelain shade slipped from the poor widow Adams's trembling hand,

Starting point is 04:04:24 and it was only her own Paul's quick spring and deft-handedness that saved it from crashing on the floor. Then she made a hasty retreat, and perhaps could that CLSC have peeped through the keyhole at her, and have seen the way in which she dropped on her knees, and have heard the tearful outpouring of Thanksgiving that her Paul, her darling, her one treasure, was actually sitting in that parlor, which her own hands had made neat, joining in conversation with those whom she had not hoped he would ever know,

Starting point is 04:04:56 they would surely have discovered that they were building better than they had known, that the circle of science was reaching farther than their most daring ambitions had dared to think, actually reaching to widow Adams herself, and warming her heart as it had not warmed in all the 17 years of her widowhood, Speaking of keyholes, I shall have to admit that widow Adams spent a good deal of her evening that she had meant to be a busy one, peeping through one. She could not hear a word that was said in the parlor, indeed she had no desire to. It was enough for her to see. It was such a sight as she had not expected to see in this world, her boy Paul, sitting among the aristocracy of Centerville, with Dr. Monteth's arm actually resting familiarly on her.

Starting point is 04:05:45 his shoulder, actually bending over him to point out a certain something in a book. She knew not what the something was, she cared not. She would never wade through Merivale. She might never hear his name, but such joy as he had given her mother heart he might well rejoice over in heaven. End of Chapter 12. Chapter 13 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the domain. The Circle and its Center. A quieter and yet perhaps a busier winter was never passed by certain of the dwellers in Centerville than that one in which had ushered in the Chautauqua literary and scientific circle. It was surprising even to the leaders thereof to

Starting point is 04:06:38 see how the circle widened. As the winter advanced and Maravale was conquered by some, endured by others, and laid on the shelf by all, another and less ponderance, another and less ponderance, volume taking its place, many of the townspeople who had been least expected roused to interest and looked in on the monthly gatherings. The organization, having no cast iron rules to hold it in check, smiled approvingly on what were known as honorary members, meaning a class of people, many of them young, and some older, who, not having leisure or inclination for the full course of actual study, yet liked to come when they could or would. You might use both words on occasion and be correct, and listen to the questions and answers, or essays, or lectures, or informal

Starting point is 04:07:29 conversation as the case might be, putting in a word of suggestion, or inquiry, or actual help sometimes, and who yet were not bound by any rules to come when there was any other place which they preferred, or any other method of spending the evening which chance to suit them better. Of this latter class were Jack Butler and his sisters, Irene and Effie. Jack had been led to come at first from curiosity. He found it too much for even his cultured brain to solve the problem how such representations of the antipodes as Professor Monteth and James Ward were held together by a common interest. So he came to see, and, being a really well-read youth, who had done at least a little hard studying while in college,

Starting point is 04:08:17 he became in a degree interested, and so came often. His sister Irene came because Mrs. Fenton constantly urged her to do so, being moved by a benevolent desire to set that lady's enthusiasm off in another channel, and so saved the world, or at least her father's house, from a flood of paintings. As for Effie, she complained that it was a wretchedly dull winter, and half the time there really wasn't any place to go to, unless one looked in on that stupid circle over which so many were going wild. For her part, she could not see what its attraction was. Meantime, the winter and early spring sped rapidly. Matters outside the circle had also prospered. Paul Adams, for instance, and the carpenter's shop in which he worked.

Starting point is 04:09:07 He had assured himself that he would stick, you will remember, and had been true to his word. Never had Mr. Tucker known a more faithful workman. Prompt as the sun, every morning and afternoon quiet, busy, persistent in his efforts to learn just what and how, this was the character that the boy had earned. So unlike that which was confidently expected of him, that his employer watched him at first with suspicious,

Starting point is 04:09:34 and then with puzzled eyes. What in all nature can have come over the boy I don't know! He would say in confidence to his wife, as they sat together in the pause between the day and the night, which the hard-working carpenter allotted to his own hearthstone. He was the laziest, loafingest fellow that ever lived and breathed in this town, and that's saying a good deal, for whether we get our member elected this time or not,

Starting point is 04:10:01 we've got our share of folks who have nothing else to do but loaf and talk it over. And I used to think that when Paul got old enough to vote, he'd join that set if he didn't do a good deal worse, and go on talking and loafing to the end of the chapter. But he's got to be the studious kind of a fellow, don't go nowhere of knights. I asked the widow particularly, and she says he is next to never out of knights at all,

Starting point is 04:10:28 and then to some kind of a society that he belongs. I don't like that. Societies for boys of that sort are apt to mean mischief, but his meets only once a month, and he gets back inside of ten o'clock every time, and I'm beat if I know what has come over him. Mrs. Tucker sewed away steadily on a pair of pants she was mending, fitted the patch neatly, gave a skillful twitch to it at the corner, and then rounded the corner like an engineer before she suggested a meek solution. Maybe he's got religion. Mr. Tucker poked the coals decisively and shook his head.

Starting point is 04:11:06 No, I thought of that and watched him, and hoped with all my might that was the thing, and he had got turned round for good and all. But it ain't nothing of that kind. He don't go to church more than he ever did. His mother sits there alone, you see, every Sunday, and he never comes inside the prayer meeting. No, it ain't anything of that kind, and I don't know what it is.

Starting point is 04:11:28 He doesn't waste his earnings, that's sure, spends them as fast as he gets them on the house and his mother. He's bought her a new lamp and a new chair, and made her a washbench, and got her a new dress, and I don't know what all. A dozen little things that don't take much money, but show which way his thoughts is going. The widow, she cries about every time I see her over some new thing he has got her. She cries for joy about half the time nowadays. It all looks well in the boy, but I'm puzzled to make it out. I watch him as close as a cat could watch a mouse.

Starting point is 04:12:05 The other day I caught him working away, planning aboard, and muttering to himself as if there was a dozen folks around him. Says I to myself, My fine fellow, you're mad at something at last. He's as good-natured you know as the day is long. Says I to myself, if I could catch what you was muttering about, I'd maybe be able to make out what wind is blowing you along, and where the harbor will be likely to be. I listened for quite a spell, and he kept on like

Starting point is 04:12:35 mad, and every time he got to the end of one lingo, he'd look back behind him a second, and then turn around and go to planing and muttering again. I couldn't make anything of it, and I didn't know, but the fellow was going crazy. At last I see that he had some kind of a book blocked open with two bits of board, and he kept looking at it in muttering, and planing and looking and muttering. "'Why don't you have a talk with him?' suggested the wife, who had by this time conquered her patch, and was hemming it down with neat stitches. "'About what? I don't know what to say to the boy. He does everything on the square,

Starting point is 04:13:14 and is by all odds the best boy I have had around for years, though to be sure that isn't saying much. I haven't got any fault to find. I'm just puzzled to know what has turned him around. I did ask him what he was muttering about, and he said, oh, he was running all over the dates for the next circle. Whatever that meant, and then he got off a lot of stuff, figures and names, regular jaw-breaking fellows. I couldn't make anything of it, and there's nothing in that that would turn a boy like Paul Adams around, and I'm beat. Equally felt, but more silent, was the astonishment of Mr. Ward over his son James. He was not quite so bewildered, it is true, for he plainly saw that the CLSC was the talisman

Starting point is 04:14:02 which had apparently charmed his son, and being a man who had a sincere respect for learning, he was gravely glad over not only the result, as shown in James's steady attention to business and quiet evenings, but the producing cause thereof. His chief bewilderment arose for from the fact that, having listened carefully to the essays and reviews that were read on a certain evening when the CLSC gave a general invitation to its friends to attend, he confessed to himself that what James saw in all those names and dates to interest him was more than he could imagine. From that time forth he was more bewildered, and had more respect for learning than ever. He believed in his honest, sad heart that James was becoming learned,

Starting point is 04:14:48 and there were whole evenings when he sat in silence behind the dining-room stove toasting his slippered feet, and pondering, not over the day's accounts, but as to whether it was possible that the boy's mother knew of the turn which he had taken and was glad. What about Joe? Well, that in some form was the question which this father often asked himself anxiously. Joe was not a member of the literary society, was not interested in their books, nor, their plans. He grumbled constantly over their infatuation, and apparently believed with all firmness that both his brother and Paul had been ruined. At the same time, apparently from the force of circumstances, he changed his course of life. With neither James nor Paul to help him go astray, it proved not to be so pleasant a path as he had trodden before. Casting about him for something

Starting point is 04:15:44 with which to while away the hours, he found that his father was entirely willing to furnish him with employment, so in a fitful and rather exasperating fashion, he also became a clerk in the store. True, he absented himself on the slightest provocation, and when present, oftener lounged on the counters and whistled than he did anything else. Yet even this was better than the life of entire lounging which he had hereto forefollowed, and his father recognized, it, was really trying very hard to be patient with him. Harder than Joe dreamed, and the other interested lookers on trembled, lest, after all, Joe should suddenly slip away from this slight hold and go hopelessly astray. We have caught the leader, Mrs. Fenton said anxiously

Starting point is 04:16:33 one evening, but the other seems bent on being his own leader, and going to destruction in spite of us. And she counseled young Robert to be more earnest in his efforts to win a hold on the young man who still thought him cuter than any of the older ones. Dr. Monteth made almost no reply to Mrs. Fenton's anxious remark, but carried a grave, thoughtful face and spent a longer time on his knees that evening than usual. Dr. Monteth had by no means given up Joseph Ward. Because the literary society had failed to reach him, it by no means followed that nothing would. What he earnestly wished was that he could have asked, that he could have asked every member of that CLSC to make a special subject of prayer of young Joseph Ward,

Starting point is 04:17:20 but some of them would hardly have understood what he meant. So he bided his time and said a few thoughtful words to Caroline and Mrs. Watson Bates and young Marshall. During the sunny days that ushered in the spring that season, there was a sensation among the members of the circle. Its first meeting was to be held at Dr. Montiefs, and behold, a day or two, before the appointed evening, each member received a little note from their president, stating that after the general exercises, he proposed a social reunion, during which time certain friends who were specially interested in the CLSC would be introduced and talk with them, and it would give him great pleasure if every member of the circle would take special pains

Starting point is 04:18:06 to be present. No further intimation was given in the note, but it got out, as such things will and fluttered through the membership that they were actually to meet the inspirer and instigator of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, for that matter, the instigator of Chautauqua itself. Moreover, it was by degrees discovered that the invitations had not been confined to the members of the circle, but were scattered quite generally through the community. It is nothing more or less than a large party, explained Mrs. Fenton to her husband, her eyes dancing with delight. A gathering of all the literary and most of the fashionable people in town to meet the members of our circle, among whom none are more prominent than Paul Adams and

Starting point is 04:18:54 Mrs. Chester's Caroline. I believe those two know more about Maravale than Dr. Monteth himself does. I do think that man is the sharpest and at the same time, wisest planner I ever knew. Why? questioned her graver, but equally satisfied husband, because he doesn't know so much about Meravail as they do? Among the invited guests was Mrs. Chester herself, and thereby occurred one of those curious incidents, which are liable to happen in a town where distinctly marked grades of society exist, and somebody succeeds in mixing them.

Starting point is 04:19:32 Mrs. Chester, by the way, was all unaware of the hold that the circle had gotten upon her second girl. She knew indeed that Caroline belonged to some sort of a society, and was dabbling with books that were much beyond her comprehension, and that Mrs. Chester, in her own world, among her chosen friends, did not fail to speak of, and deplore this as a thing that was likely to unsettle Caroline's wits, and give her false ambitions and vain aims. But she had no idea, how should she, who the persons were that were engaged in helping to unsettle her. She had heard indeed that Mrs. Fenton was interesting herself, and that the ward boys had reformed, or were at least much improved, but neither Mrs. Fenton

Starting point is 04:20:17 nor the ward boys came into her world very frequently. With the former, you will remember, she had only that sort of calling acquaintance, which resulted in an exchange of calls once in six months, perhaps, sometimes even more rarely than that. As for the ward boys, they occasionally brought home her purchases from their father's store. So when Mrs. Chester heard of the efforts toward literature, as associated with such as these young men and her Caroline, she smiled pityingly and said, Mrs. Fenton was a well-meaning little woman, but it was a pity she tried in such wild ways to do good. And then she dismissed the whole subject from her mind. An invitation to an evening's entertainment at Dr. Montice was, however, a matter that she could,

Starting point is 04:21:05 could appreciate, and she made preparation with evidence satisfaction. The professor's house was rarely opened for large gatherings. Caroline, she said to that maiden, you may leave the parlors until afternoon and finish that wrapper. Let the china closet go this week. I shall want your help elsewhere tomorrow. And I want Miss Celia's dress pressed out, and the ribbon run into the puffs again. You may do that this afternoon. I shall need a great many little things done tomorrow and shall want these other matters out of the way. Oh, by the by, tomorrow is your regular evening out, isn't it? You will have to make some different arrangement for this week. I am going out and shall want you to remain at home with the children. I don't like to trust them

Starting point is 04:21:51 with Hannah. She is growing so careless. Then did Caroline stand transfixed with a feeling very like dismay. Stay with the children. Was she not the one appointed to read the main paper of the evening? Yet at the same time, was she not Mrs. Chester's hired help? Had not that lady engaged and paid her for time, evenings included? Had she not a right to command even this evening of evenings if she would? Swift thinking did Caroline, and the conclusion was that she answered simply, yes, ma'am, in almost her usual composure of tone, and turned away without giving her mistress so much as a hint of the heavy cross that she had laid upon her. Yet the engagement upon which she had so heartily entered must not be left thus. It involved a brief, carefully worded note

Starting point is 04:22:45 which Caroline contrived during the morning to send to Dr. Montaiths. "'What an idea!' exclaimed that gentleman, after a hasty reading. "'Look here!' to his guest, with whom conversation had been suspended long enough to read the note. this is the young woman of whom i told you she thinks she cannot come to the circle to-morrow evening because her mistress has an engagement preposterous half of my idea is to get her here to read her essay before certain ones who need to hear it this thing must be arranged what is the way to do it one result of this talk was a morning call mrs chester heard the bell from her dressing-room and opened the door to say to caroline as she passed through the hall you may say that i am engaged this morning i cannot see any one So Caroline, flushing over Dr. Montief's cordial greeting, made haste to say that Mrs. Chester was specially engaged that morning, and—' "'But we haven't called to see Mrs. Chester,' interrupted the doctor.

Starting point is 04:23:49 Our call was, I may say, almost entirely on you. Whereupon he introduced to Caroline the name which was so associated with one of the dearest pleasures and the highest hopes of her life, that to see him and hear him speak and shake hands with him was a greater honor than she had actually even dreamed of. That she was intensely, almost painfully embarrassed for a moment, was evident. That she was quick-witted was equally so. For in an instant, though her cheeks were the color of the carnation pinks on the window, she said, with a quick deprecating look at her trim kitchen apron, throwing back the door of the

Starting point is 04:24:28 parlor as she spoke, well, if you have really called to see me, I will go and get on a clean apron. And she actually did slip away to donna trim white apron with pockets, and possibly to put a touch of cooling water on her glowing cheeks. Then she returned her quiet self, and sustained her share of the bright conversation which followed. Why, I don't know, she said thoughtfully in answer to their inquiry. I can hardly tell you how I get the time to do the regular amount of reading. I have to economize. There have been days when I was hard-pressed. and thought I was going to fail, but some fortunate lull in the round of work was almost sure to come in an unexpected way, and I would push through. Then there are certain duties which fall to my share

Starting point is 04:25:16 that I find can be attended to while I am actually engaged on something else. I've proved the falsity of the idea that the mind cannot be occupied by two opposite strains of thought at the same time, she added laughingly. For instance, I committed long passages of events condensed from Meravale while I was setting the table for dinner. I suppose I must have thought where the plates and the castor and the napkins were, for they came into line all right, and I know I thought about Coriolanus and Cincinnati and Claudius and all those, memorized those lists, you know. Sometimes, too, when I was drying the china or rubbing the silver, I would pin my little pink book open with a fork and make my brains keep my hands company. In that way I got through with

Starting point is 04:26:03 Augustus Caesar and Tiberius and Caligula. Thinking of it afterwards, Caroline was amazed to recall how many items she had given the callers concerning herself, how fully she had been betrayed into explaining her plans and hopes, yes, and fears. It was not her nature to be communicative with people in general. She could only attribute it to the delicate way in which the two gentlemen evidenced their interest in her progress. As Dr. Monteth arose to go, he asked if Mrs. Chester would see him later in the day as a matter of convenience to himself. He wished to consult her on an important subject.

Starting point is 04:26:44 When Caroline gave this message and awaited her answer, Mrs. Chester arose from her chair in astonishment. Dr. Monteth, is he in the house now? I will see him, of course. Why should I not? Why, Caroline, I heard no bell, who admitted him? I did, ma'am, you will remember that as I passed through the hall you directed me to say to whoever it was that you were engaged. But that was nearly, if not quite, half an hour ago. That ring of the bell surely could not have brought Dr. Monteth. Yesam, it was Dr. Monteth and his friend.

Starting point is 04:27:21 And pray, where have they been all this time? In the parlor, ma'am, I gave your message, and the doctor said he would like to see me a few moments, and just now he directed me to inquire if you would see him later. Well, declared Mrs. Chester, perplexity and annoyance, struggling together on her face, this is certainly most extraordinary. But she went downstairs immediately to confront Dr. Monteth.

Starting point is 04:27:48 If you had been in her parlor that afternoon, you might have heard her talking in a somewhat excited tone to her intimate and somewhat confidential friend, Mrs. Bacon. I never heard of anything more absurd in my life. Fancy me standing before Dr. Monteth, he declining to take a seat on the plea that he had already overstayed his time, and petitioning that my hired girl might be allowed to attend the social gathering at his house tomorrow evening. I was so amazed that I really did not know what to say. I believe I blushed and stammered and acted like a girl in her teens. My dear Mrs. Bacon, what are we coming to? What are

Starting point is 04:28:28 are those ridiculous people trying to do? And what am I to do? I couldn't, of course, refused Dr. Montief's request, but I wondered at his impudence in repeating his invitation to me. Does he suppose that I wish to mingle socially with my hired help? Oh, well, my dear friend, and Mrs. Bacon's voice was one of those soft, soothing ones, which remind you of the purring of a favorite kitten. It is a benevolent scheme of some sort which these good people have on hand. They really think they are helping the poor girls and boys who have had no other chances, and possibly they are, though it may be in a mistaken way. Still, I think the intention is good. I am told that they propose to greatly encourage the members of their little society by letting

Starting point is 04:29:16 them read some extracts or something of that sort, exhibiting their requirements, you know, after the fashion of the school exhibitions of the olden time. Dr. Monteth is peculiar, we are all aware. But then he can afford to be, for, with all his peculiarities, he is so grand a man. I don't think I would mind if I were you. Caroline is uncommonly bright, I think, for a girl in her sphere, and really, I don't wonder that a man like Dr. Monteth is tempted to interest himself in her a little. In her way, Mrs. Bacon, who was about as clear-brained as the aforesaid kitten, did a certain amount of good. She rarely stroked fur, either her own or others, the wrong way, and her claws, if she had any, were so effectually hidden in velvet as never to do any active damage. What

Starting point is 04:30:11 damage she did to society was of a passive nature. She succeeded in so quieting Mrs. Chester's nerves that her voice was almost pleasant as she said to Caroline the next morning, turning back as she was leaving the breakfast room as though it were an afterthought. By the way, Caroline, Dr. Monteth tells me he is interested in your literary aspirations, and proposes to give your reading class, or whatever it is, a lift this evening. I wasn't aware of anything of the kind. Of course, I would not deprive you of the pleasure of being present. I will make some other arrangement for the children. children. And Caroline, although her face flushed deeply, was able to express her thanks and felt them too. She sang over her work that morning. End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in

Starting point is 04:31:12 the public domain. The tables turned. In some respects, that was a unique gathering in Dr. Montief's handsome parlors. I am inclined to think, it was the first attempt Centerville had ever made to unite the actually intellectual with what had hitherto been purely social. A carefully prepared program was presented, which interested many and astonished all. Moreover, these persons who, like Mrs. Chester, came with a vague idea of seeing certain young people gathered, perhaps, on benches in the dining room, and put through the process of examination to the end that others might see what commendable progress they had made, and pat them on the cheek, metaphorically at least, saying,

Starting point is 04:31:57 Good children, you shall have a cake and an apple to take home. A little after the industrial school style you understand were greatly mistaken. There seemed to be no social lines drawn between the guests, nothing to distinguish the circle from the friends invited to mingle with them, unless, indeed, I accept a certain flash of intelligence passing between them as they met during the evening, a sort of indescribable look and tone indicating oneness of feeling and cordial sympathy in regard to some subjects at least. But these things were only noticed by the initiated. Outwardly, it was merely a gathering

Starting point is 04:32:37 of well-dressed, well-behaved people met to enjoy themselves. Caroline's appearance astonished no one but her mistress. She had indulged herself in a new dress this spring of some silvery gray material that fitted the light in her eyes and the color in her cheeks perfectly. It was made in so simple a style as to be almost striking, and yet was wonderfully becoming. She wore no ornament whatever, unless the mass of soft white lace about her throat could be called an ornament. Yes, I forget. There was a single white rose in her hair, and another at her throat, whose cool green leaves lay nestled among the folds of lace, and fitted the rest of the toilet well. As I said, Mrs. Chester was the only person whom this

Starting point is 04:33:24 young woman in her holiday attire astonished. It was too simple and plain, after all, beside most of the others, to invite special attention, and the members of the circle were used to seeing her in something that was always neat and becoming. But Mrs. Chester had not known before how she would look outside of the plain dark calicoes and carefully made house aprons in which she daily went her round of work. She actually gazed after Caroline as she crossed the room, even wondering, for a bewildered second, who that graceful girl was, and the next she said, well, really? And tossed her head, and hardly knew what she thought. It must be confessed that James Ward astonished more people than Mrs. Chester. The fact is, no one had ever seen him dressed as he

Starting point is 04:34:14 appeared that evening, nor had had an idea what a difference dress would make in him. His father, without seeming to be specially interested in what was going on, awoke one morning at the breakfast table to ask some questions. What was this party at Dr. Montice that he had heard talk about? Who were to be there, and what was to be done? James was posted. Dr. Montiast. Heath took care that he should be most thoroughly posted as to all that was planned and much that was hoped. He explained somewhat in detail, and with an eagerness that could not escape notice. "'And you were invited?' was the next somewhat abrupt question, whereupon Joe laughed good-naturedly. "'He invited! Why, father, he is Dr. Monteth's right-hand man. Nothing can be done without him at the

Starting point is 04:35:04 circle or anywhere. He and Paul will be running the whole thing before. He is Dr. Monteth's right-hand man. He is you know it. What nonsense, said James, not without a flush on his cheek. To his father, he only gave a brief answer in the affirmative. Are you invited to? This to Joe. Well, sir, I have that honor, but I've made up my mind to have a pressing engagement somewhere else that evening. The quality are all to be out in full force, and I don't stand high enough in the literary world just yet to be quite ready to show off, so I mean to make off. The father smiled grimly, a smile that closed with a sigh. He was much more troubled over Joe than that good-hearted, foolish young man had any idea of. Nothing more had been said about the entertainment, but in the course of the day,

Starting point is 04:35:57 Mr. Ward handed James an order on the best tailor in the town to make his son as good a suit of clothes as could be made, out of the best material in stock, and send the bill to him. What Taylor would not have done his best to make the clothes good and the bill large after that? The final result exceeded even the father's expectations, both as to the amount of the bill and the changed appearance of his son. The one balanced the other, according to his view of it. Had he known what a tender feeling there was in James Hart over the thoughtfulness of that note, they would have been more than balanced. As it was, not even Young Bennett himself came to the gathering in better attire, nor indeed carried himself better in it than did James Ward. Of course, Paul Adams had no father

Starting point is 04:36:48 to balance Taylor's bills, so he came in the clothes that he had worn for best until they were a trifle small in every way. Well, for Paul that he had not yet reached the point where he cared greatly about this, or indeed gave it much thought. Besides, he was of that happy temper to whom a word of ridicule, such as would have flushed James Ward's face with rage, would only provoke laughter. It was his mother who shed the tears for that family. If he had but known it, she wept copiously over his coat the evening before, while she darned a small break, because she could not replace it with a new one. Wept the next day as she starched and ironed. his best shirt because it was so old and so coarse, but the linen shone beautifully,

Starting point is 04:37:35 and Paul whistled while he dressed, and whistled when he went away to the party. He presented a striking contrast to most of the guests, but of this he did not think at all. He had an important part to sustain in the evening's exercises, and this absorbed his attention. A word about the literary portion of that entertainment. Dr. Montice's aim had been two-fold, to explain in a detailed and interesting manner what had been accomplished by the circle, and to increase its prospective size. To Caroline had been assigned the task of preparing and reading a paper, which should give her views of the lessons to be learned, and the errors to be avoided by studying the greatness and weakness, the splendor and the

Starting point is 04:38:21 meanness, the rise and downfall of the seven-hilled city. It had been discovered that this young woman possessed an accomplishment as rare as it was pleasant. She was a natural reader, clear-voiced, round-toned, sympathetic. Dr. Monteth had declared in confidence to his friend that it was a perfect rust to listen to her. As for Paul, the same watchful scholar had discovered that he had a peculiar talent for repeating striking and important events. He was able to forget the lapse of time and change of scene, since those events had a and give them as though it had been yesterday. He was able to forget something less easily forgotten, himself, and give the story as though he had been present and seen and heard. Therefore,

Starting point is 04:39:10 certain vivid scenes in the history of Rome had been selected for him to tell the audience. Tell them exactly as though you were the only person who saw the act or heard the words, and it was not possible that any of us had as yet heard of the event. This was Dr. Montese's direction, and he expected to have an entertainment worth listening to. All the more delightful possibly, because Paul was not in the least aware that his talent in that direction was unusual. Besides these two central appointments, another that caused much more heart-throbbing was in contemplation. A careful list of questions had been papyrographed, and a card containing them was to be given to each guest, with the understanding that any question in the list,

Starting point is 04:39:57 could be asked of any member of the circle, said member having expected to answer if he could. An effort had been made to ask such questions as would bring out striking events and interesting details. The list was long, not that it was supposed that one-half or even one-third of the questions would be asked, but for the purpose of allowing the guests to select that which most interested them, and also to prove that this was no prepared list of 20 or 30 questions, answers to which had been memorized in a few hours. Perhaps you can imagine what a Herculean task it had been to prepare this list of questions not only,

Starting point is 04:40:37 but to prepare to answer them. It was long before the circle would give its united vote to any such plan. It will be just horrid, one quite young member had declared. They will be absolutely certain to pick out the questions that we don't know. People always do. I might study up a few. but none of them would come to me, and I really think I am well enough known as a dunce now

Starting point is 04:41:02 without proclaiming my fame in that line abroad. Others less outspoken were yet inclined to be of like opinion, but after eager discussion, during which their president reminded them that the very fact of the list of questions being so long would make it the most probable thing in the world for all to fail on many of them, consent was at last obtained. Precisely at the hour named on the notes of invitation, the guests were called to order, and the exercises of the evening commenced. Another opportunity for Mrs. Chester's astonishment. Who would have supposed that she could read like that? This was the lady's bewildered thought as she listened to the clear, full voice. That the paper read was really one of marked strength, Mrs. Chester was not sufficiently

Starting point is 04:41:51 well read to know. But there were those in the audience who did, and who thanked God with full hearts that the Chautauqua literary and scientific circle had given this earnest soul a chance. I will not stop to tell you in detail how well Paul Adams fulfilled his trust. Suffice it to say that there were those listening to him who, knowing absolutely nothing about the early history of Rome, were moved to indignation, and then almost to tears, over his simple yet graphic way of giving the details of certain startling events. But the crowning act in the evening's exercises was yet to come. It so happened that the list of questions suggested to young Butler the idea of having what he was pleased to term a little fun. He had not forgotten

Starting point is 04:42:39 his own great, though foolish embarrassment, at being asked a question concerning the renowned old city, which at the time he was not ready to answer. Why should he not have the pleasure of witnessing the embarrassment of another? Paul Adams, he considered too far beneath him to make an effort in that line interesting. He had thought of asking Caroline a few questions, but listening to her paper, and overhearing certain whispered comments by a scholar whom he knew was a judge of brains, he determined to level all his forces on James Ward, being, if the humiliating truth must be told, moved thereto by a certain feeling of annoyance over the fact that Miss Amy Allison still bestowed bewitching bows upon him whenever they chanced to meet.

Starting point is 04:43:27 no sooner was the general exercise fairly opened and by the way the audience was interested in it from the first the questions having been selected and worded with such care as to provoke eager desire to know the answers Then Jack commenced his fire, leveled constantly at the head of James Ward. In vain did others, not in the circle, being able to see through his small design, tried to avert the stream of questions into other channels. From every diversion he came back to James. There was little chance for any of the other members to distinguish themselves, save as some of Mrs. Chester's friends in great curiosity, made several attempts on Caroline,

Starting point is 04:44:09 attempts to which she promptly responded. It gradually became apparent, even to the dullest perception, that young Butler was resolved to give James Ward a thorough examination. Now it so happened that James, having occupied a very quiet background at most of the circles, was supposed to be only in a very limited sense acquainted with Merivale, while the actual truth was that, next to Paul Adams, no one had worked harder or mastered more of the facts in that volume than James. He was incited there too first, because Paul Adams had taken hold of the book in such fierce fashion, resolved upon making its contents his own, and secondly, because his cheeks daily grew more ready to flush when he remembered the fact that it was the first book he had ever actually studied with all his heart.

Starting point is 04:45:01 The little that he really knew made him bend over Meravail with a dogged deterred. to know at least all that one book could tell him. He was aware that he had not the actual genius of Paul Adams, but he knew that he had a better literal memory, and he battled with and conquered dates and names in a way which presently gave him pride. Since the list of questions had been made out, he had found it a very satisfactory way of testing his own knowledge,

Starting point is 04:45:30 and he found, to his surprise and delight, delight, that the answers were as familiar to him as though he had actually been present at Rome's triumphs and defeats, as Paul Adams seemed to have been by the familiar way in which he talked about them. From sitting erect, with a bright red spot burning on each indignant cheek, as the storm of questions and answers went on, Dr. Monteth gradually settled back in his chair, a look of composed amusement on his face. Jack Butler's small scheme had already failed. Why had not the young man sense enough to know it? If James Ward missed every question that was asked him after this, he had already shown sufficient knowledge of the history of Rome

Starting point is 04:46:14 to stamp him as a student. Apparently, however, he had no idea of missing a question. His voice was steady, his face controlled, his whole manner assured and quiet, and Jack Butler, nettled exceedingly, beginning to wish that he had let this whole business alone and not brought himself into such conspicuous relations with this hero of history, yet was actually too much embarrassed to beat a retreat, but continued his questioning, helped only by an occasional voice that was bent on giving Caroline a chance to distinguish herself. Gradually all other voices died away,

Starting point is 04:46:52 and more than two-thirds of the list of questions had been composedly answered by Young Ward. This would be tormentor, who had actually become his helper, paused with flushed face and unquiet voice. I beg pardon, he said. I seem to be monopolizing the entertainment. Don't let my interest in the subject keep you all quiet. Dr. Montete's answer was prompt and decisive. By no means, my dear young friend,

Starting point is 04:47:22 with possibly a slightly marked emphasis on the word young. It is true we had in no sense designed this for an evening of special examination, and our friend Ward has not been working for a diploma. Still, since it has progressed thus far, I beg that the examiner will kindly continue, at least, until the student makes a break. That is, the way we used to do in the old-fashioned spelling school you will remember. I confess myself intensely interested in this very thoughtful and brilliant plan of yours, Mr. Butler.

Starting point is 04:47:54 What say our friends? Shall the few remaining questions be asked until there is a failure? My friend the doctor here has engaged to be our umpire for the evening, and will promptly announce the slightest mistake. Long before this, the greater number of the guests had entered into the spirit of the exercise, and the vote to continue was unanimous. Thus invited, there was nothing for the now exasperated examiner but to proceed, rushing at railroad speed over the remainder of the list, not one of which failed to receive an

Starting point is 04:48:27 assured answer by the young man whom he had set out to mortify. It was a schoolboy scheme, and deserved to meet with a real schoolboy defeat. Therefore was Dr. Monteth rejoiced over the whole, especially when, with the last question and answer, the entire audience, Circle included, broke into an involuntary burst of applause. "'Victory!' exclaimed Dr. Monteth, rising to his feet, and holding out his hand to James Ward. My dear friend, I congratulate you on knowing more about the history of Rome than I ever expect to. This frank statement produced bursts of laughter.

Starting point is 04:49:08 Formality and literature were alike at an end. Everybody was laughing and talking and shaking hands with young Ward, thus suddenly and most unexpectedly transformed into the hero of the evening. The dining-room doors were thrown open, Coffee and cakes and ices became the matters of special interest just then, and the pleased company broke into little groups to laugh and exclaim over the peculiarities of the entertainment. And it chanced that, entirely by his own planning, the only discomfited person in the company was our immaculate and unsuperficial friend, Jack Butler.

Starting point is 04:49:47 I shall have to confess that his discomforts were not even yet at an end. Dr. Montief, feeling confident that his greatest fault was an overpowering self-esteem, sought an early opportunity to congratulate him on his tact in having given them an unexpected entertainment, and then proposed that the company be invited to select from the same list questions that they would like Jack himself to answer in his own way, thus giving them a chance to compare the different shades of thought which would be presented by different minds. In the painfully eager negative that poor Butler felt constrained to press in answer to this flattering invitation,

Starting point is 04:50:27 every vestige of self-esteem vanished. End of Chapter 14. Chapter 15 of the Hull in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. A theological review. There was one other person at that unique gathering who was an object of special interest. This was Kent Monteith, the doctor's son.

Starting point is 04:50:57 None of the residents of Centerville were acquainted with him, except by reputation, which was that of a scholar and traveler like his father, added to which he was a not-unknown artist. Indeed, for one so young, he had achieved an enviable reputation even in Europe. This fact was well known to the Centerville public through the industrious tongue of Miss Irene Butler, who was never tired of quoting what was said of him in the art reviews. Proud was she to be even so remotely connected with an artist destined to be famous as to have a speaking acquaintance with the father, and be able to ask of him the latest news in art, as reported by his son. For days together had she looked forward to this eventful evening when she was actually to have the pleasure of meeting him face to face. Indeed, he was one whom almost any person might have been glad to meet.

Starting point is 04:51:53 "'He looks very like his father,' declared Mrs. Fenton, after an earnest searching of the Frank face. A younger edition of his handsome father, and I am sure that flattery can go no farther, for his father is really the handsomest man I ever saw. "'I hope he will be half as good a man as his father,' was Mr. Fenton's addition to this verdict? And when I tell you that even his own mother was satisfied in this respect, you will readily see that Kent Monteith was a man to admire, more than Irene had looked forward to meeting him on this occasion. Now it happened that among them all, only one young woman had been suggested to Kent as a person of interest. His father, after giving him a detailed account of the

Starting point is 04:52:41 CLSC as it had branched at Centerville, and a running commentary on most of the prominent characters belonging to it, had finished after this fashion. There is one person who will be here tomorrow evening, and who is a member of the circle, that if you can find it in your heart to pay even quite special attention to, you will succeed in pleasing me. Upon my word, father, Kent had answered, laughing, that is really a somewhat startling, and rather for it, an American way of managing things. Oh, well, the father answered, joining in the laugh, I am only planning for one evening you understand, with a purpose in view,

Starting point is 04:53:23 one with which you will sympathize when you hear her story. Her name is Caroline Raynor. Whereupon he began at the beginning of Caroline's story, as it had been detailed to him by Mrs. Fenton, and brought it down to the last meeting of the CLSC, when Jack Butler had distinguished himself by, giving her a cool stare and no other recognition, though Mrs. Fenton herself had undertaken to introduce them. Now you understand, explained Dr. Monteth, that I don't expect to revolutionize

Starting point is 04:53:56 society, neither do I have any particular desire to do so. Society, in one sense, will take care of itself, at least in this country, by which I mean that people reach their level in due time, fill the places that they are fitted by nature and taste to fill, and make a channel for their own lives, which is satisfying. But where a person occupies for a time a niche in the world to which she manifestly doesn't belong, and out of which she will assuredly move, to recognize the accident of position and ignore the mental and moral worth is despicable, is, I beg your pardon, Kent, intensely un-American. Which is one of your synonyms for wicketts, the son said, laughing heartily. Nevertheless, he asked many questions concerning Caroline,

Starting point is 04:54:46 evinced as deep an interest in her welfare as his father could desire, and promised, without any further clue, to try to single her out from the large number of ladies, who now, nominally at least, belonged to the circle. It was soon after Caroline's paper had been read that Kent bent forward to the chair in which his father was sitting, and set in a low voice, If I am not greatly mistaken, your protege adds to her other accomplishments that of being a very good reader, and Dr. Monteth, with pleased eyes, bowed assent. It was therefore with a deference that had a purpose, and that certainly was very marked, that Kent Monteth crossed the long parlor when the dining-room doors were thrown open and refreshments announced, and offered his arm to Caroline. I really think it was

Starting point is 04:55:36 at that time that Mrs. Chester's eyes became opened to what was going on. Before that, she had been dazed, had hardly gotten away from her industrial school idea, and kept vaguely expecting the apple and piece of cake era to commence. But to see her second girl walk out to supper with Kent Monteith, the rising young artist but recently home from Florence, was too much for ordinary flesh and blood. Mrs. Chester promptly expressed her mind to her next neighbor. I really think, Mrs. Howard, that these quixotic people have taken leave of their common sense. Do you, in utmost good humor? Well, it cannot be said that your second girl has taken leave of hers.

Starting point is 04:56:20 What a remarkable paper that was which she presented. I always thought there was something quite uncommon about her, but I did not suppose she had so cultured a mind. What an excellent thing this new society is for giving people a chance. After that outburst, Mrs. Chester turned away in dumb disgust. But the acquaintance begun in the refreshment room in utmost good nature, and in order to further his father's wishes, was carried on by Kent Monteith because he became interested.

Starting point is 04:56:53 She could converse that was evident, for he began at once to talk with her about the Rome which had been the topic of absorbing interest thus far, to controvert some of the ideas which she had advanced in her paper. But while she steadily and intelligently held her own, she yet questioned him as to his different views, in so keen a way, that he speedily saw he must be clear and logical in his reasons if he expected them to have some weight. She was not to be talked with like the average young lady whom he met in society. She knew almost nothing about society, but, without ever having

Starting point is 04:57:30 seen it as he had, she clearly knew a great deal about Rome. The question was, how much did she know about other things? Do you think the same ideas which you have just been advancing apply to France? He asked her suddenly, fixing a keen glance on her intelligent face the while. And if she could have seen his thoughts, they would have been somewhat after this fashion. Now, if her intelligence is all confined to one book, she will try to generalize, to say yes and no, and flounder hopelessly over that question. He was mistaken. Her knowledge of literature was chiefly confined to one book,

Starting point is 04:58:10 it is true, which she had very thoroughly studied. But she did not flounder. Instead, she fixed her calm, steady eyes upon him, and answered promptly, Oh, I don't know. I am not in a position to know, or even to have an intelligent opinion. I don't know anything to speak of about France, or indeed, about any other part of the world except Centerville in Rome. This with a little laugh. You must know that we have been working very hard over Rome half the winter, and of course I know a little and think a little about that country,

Starting point is 04:58:45 but I know nothing else. She is honest, he said to himself, then aloud, were you fascinated with Rome that you held so closely to it and excluded every other country? Not at all. I had one book that told me a great deal about Rome, and almost nothing about any other place, and I wanted to learn all I could from that book,

Starting point is 04:59:07 because books are scarce with me, as well as opportunities. This Chautauqua Society is the largest chance I ever had. Maraville's Rome could not have taught you to read, he could not help saying, with a marked emphasis on the last word. Her reading had pleased him because of its extreme naturalness. No, she said, the reddy color flushing into her cheek. I never was taught to read. I read aloud a great deal to an invalid lady with whom I lived when I was a young girl, and she used to correct my pronunciation, but I never have had any lessons in reading. May you never have, he said, speaking with more energy than the subject seemed to her to demand. He had been the victim of many professional readers.

Starting point is 04:59:56 Tell me about the circle, he said, as he helped her to an ice. I was at Chautauqua for a few days last summer, but I don't know about the actual practical working of this scheme. Did you give the winter entirely to Maravale? Oh no, we left him in the distance some time ago. Indeed, we are thoroughly interested in another book now. What author is being honored now? If you bring the same oneness of thought to bear on him that you must have done to Maravale,

Starting point is 05:00:27 he should be a happy author. We are studying the philosophy of the philosophy of the plan of salvation. Theology? A little startled. I don't know, is it theology? It is very interesting, and I don't know whether it would be called by that name. Do you like it as well as Rome?

Starting point is 05:00:47 Why, there is no comparison and no chance for one. Of course, it treats of topics a way in advance of Roman history. I don't suppose I am a judge as to whether it is as well written as the other, but of course it is more interesting. Why, of course. Caroline tried to steal a look at her questioner, a little in doubt as to what all this catechizing might mean, but he was giving careful attention to the pickled oysters before him,

Starting point is 05:01:14 and his grave quiet face told her nothing. Why, of course, she said unhesitatingly, whatever tells us of God and of our relations to him is of infinitely more importance than the books that tell us only of other people like ourselves, how they sinned and suffered and died. Is that your epitome of human history? But you forget that you have not explained to me anything about this latter book. I know Maravale's Rome quite well from having listened to you this evening.

Starting point is 05:01:46 Now what does this philosophy prove to you? Do you mean what view of the question does the book take? Isn't that equivalent to saying what view you take? Do not you in the book agree? But never mind that question. tell me what it says. I am not sure that I can. I should think in general

Starting point is 05:02:05 that the argument was the same as that used by other writers on the same subject. And what is that? You do not need that I should tell you, she said, speaking with gentle dignity. You are, of course, more thoroughly posted

Starting point is 05:02:20 in regard to this matter than I could possibly be. May I ask you on what ground you use that authoritative, of course, in this connection? What leads you, to suppose that I am better acquainted with the subject in question than yourself. Because you are a scholar. You have had opportunities to study books and men, and have been

Starting point is 05:02:40 at work in that direction all your life, while I have had almost no chances at all. I cannot even compare this book with any other book of the kind, because it is the only one I have ever read. Suppose for the sake of the argument, I admit the first part of your statement. You will remember that there are many books to study. and many phases of opinion to choose from. How do you know that I have yet had opportunity to take up this subject? I do not know it. I suppose I judged from the supposition that students selected the most important topics first, letting secondary matters take a secondary place. And this topic is first in importance? I should think that there could not be two

Starting point is 05:03:24 opinions about that. Would you mind giving me the steps by which you reached such a conclusion? They are almost self-evident, I think, she said quietly, though with flushing cheeks. What has to do with my life in a world that will never end would seem to me to be of greater importance than what simply concerns the few days that I am to live on earth? Ah, but I don't accept your proposition. I believe that the knowledge we acquire here is not to be thrown away in a future existence. If I am to live at all in another world, I expect to keep growing wiser there, and not to begin at the alphabet either, but where I stopped when the soul was called upon to change homes. I suppose that is true, she said, looking frankly at him after a

Starting point is 05:04:12 moment of thoughtful silence. It is a somewhat new thought to me and a very pleasant one, but I think it increases the importance of the one's subject, because I want to be very particular about the place where I continue my studies. I see, he said so. I see, he said smiling, now you are ready, I hope, to enlighten me as to this particular book. Well, she said, trying not to be carefully literal in her reply, I cannot do justice to the book, but I think I can introduce you to it. In the first place, it states three facts to be considered, that we are so made as to want to worship something or someone,

Starting point is 05:04:53 that we grow like the person or object which we worship, and that no human means could have cured the world of the soul, sin of idol worship. Do you believe the first two statements? Why, I suppose so, she said wonderingly. My own heart experience, as well as all history, confirms the first, and the second is common sense. Her companion laughed. That is certainly a brief and comprehensive way of stating your reasons, he said. Go on. Go on with what? Why, with the book, haven't you engaged to give me a review, of it? Suppose these statements are correct, what then? Or rather, in the first place, how does your author prove that we couldn't help ourselves? By showing that we didn't,

Starting point is 05:05:41 that the idolatry of the world grew worse and worse with every succeeding generation. Well, and the remedy? The remedy was to give us a perfect object to worship, and to furnish a power that should turn our hearts toward that object. Yes, well, I think I see the scope, of the argument. What point does your author take up next? Oh, we went to Egypt next, learned why so many years of bondage were necessary to give the nation a bond of union in sympathy. A bond of union? Is Egyptian bondage a necessity in the formation of such a bond? Perhaps not a necessity, at least I suppose some other way could have been devised had God chosen to do it. But I should think it would help. If you and I, for instance,

Starting point is 05:06:29 were slaves in a foreign land, far away from our mutual home, suffering the same trials, looking forward to the same release, having the same plans, I fancy we might grow daily more alienated from those who did not and could not understand us, and sympathize with each other more closely every day. I am inclined to think that that is a very good argument, he said, looking down on her with curious eyes, which look, however, she lost. She was engaged in earnest,

Starting point is 05:06:59 calling to her aid the arguments of the book which she was seriously trying to review. Her intense earnestness had a strange fascination for him. I'm all attention, he said at last. Why don't you proceed? Then she looked at him again, puzzled to know how much he meant. You don't expect me to give you the entire book this evening. I don't know. You seem to be doing well. I'm guessing at the filling in, you see. You are only supplying out. lines. What next? Next, I became greatly interested in the miracles of Egypt. I presume it is an old story to you, but I had never heard before how perfectly the ten plagues were suited to the needs of that idolatrous nation, and how wonderfully they showed the wisdom of God. You give me credit for too

Starting point is 05:07:50 much research. I don't at this moment remember a single argument in that line. Won't you give me a hint of how it was managed? The plagues used to astonish my boyhood, and I doubt whether I am much wiser in many respects than I was then. I never realized the necessity for miracles, until this writer proved to my satisfaction, that if the true religion, when first revealed, had been accompanied by no exhibition of power beyond that which human beings could exert, men would not have believed it. He declares that every leader of a false religion has recognized the necessity of producing miracles, and has tried to claim that power. Then, too, he reminded us that the Israelites seemed to believe the Egyptian jugglers capable, in the name of their

Starting point is 05:08:38 gods, of performing miracles, so that the true God would need to show them that he not only could perform miracles, but that his power was not to be compared with that of the magicians. I had never known that serpents were worshipped by the Egyptians, and that when Moses's rod swallowed up the serpent which the magicians had seemed to make, it actually had swallowed what the lookers-on considered a God. Neither did I know that they considered the Nile a sacred river, and that when Moses turned its water into blood, he proved the folly of their worship. Sometimes it has seemed to me so strange that the great God would descend to showing his power in so small a way as to send swarms of flies upon his enemies. Now I know that it was my

Starting point is 05:09:24 ignorance which made the miracle into smallness, for I did not know that those wretched idolaters had a special God who was supposed to be able to deliver them from flies. In what a terrible way they discovered their idol's powerlessness. What does he do with the plague of boils? When I was a youngster, that seemed to me queerer than anything else that happened to that idiotic people. That is another miracle, the explanation of which gave me a humiliating sense of my own ignorance. Caroline said eagerly, You must remember that I knew nothing about Egyptian history. I did not know about the altars for human sacrifice,

Starting point is 05:10:06 nor about the awful custom of gathering the ashes of the victims and throwing them upward in the belief that wherever they touched, evil would be turned aside. Think of what an object lesson it was for Moses to take a handful of ashes, perhaps from the very furnace where these human sacrifices had been burned, and throwing them into the air, let terrible disease and pain follow their touch. They had left the refreshment room long before the talk had progressed thus far, and had joined the promenaders who were refreshing themselves in strolls through the long parlors.

Starting point is 05:10:42 They were entirely engrossed in their subject, Caroline, at least, being utterly unconscious of the fact that Mrs. Chester was surveying her with astonished eyes, and Miss Irene Butler was almost overpowered with her impatience to talk with a real artist who had studied in Florence. She interrupted them at last ruthlessly. I beg your pardon, Mr. Montief, but it does seem to me you have been unselfish long enough. You ought to be rewarded with a little pleasure on your own account now. Besides, some of us are longing to know about your experiences in Italy, and I, at least, have been looking forward to a feast when I might have opportunity to converse with you, and about our beloved profession. She had kidnapped the promenaders just as they were about to pass

Starting point is 05:11:30 into the library. The rich blood mounted to Caroline's very forehead, and she made an attempt to drop her companion's arm, but he held hers firmly as he answered Miss Irene. You have entirely mistaken my character. I never felt more selfish in my life. I am hearing about a book which interests me intensely, from one who has evidently made its contents her own. And if there is any one subject more than another, for which I have an unconquerable horror this evening, it is my profession. I've been working hard and have come home to rest. Miss Butler, are you a member of this literary society which seems to be creating such a sensation in your midst? Miss Irene gave a very positive shake to her head, with uplifted eyebrows.

Starting point is 05:12:19 Oh, dear, no, my pursuits and aims in life are so entirely removed. from this line of study, that I have felt very little interest in the enterprise. Besides, I suppose the design of the circle is to give an idea of what is going on in the world of books to those who have had no other opportunities. Isn't that the special aim, Caroline? It was the first time she had hinted that she even saw Caroline. Before that young woman could collect her startled thoughts to answer, Mr. Montief saved her the trouble. Oh, I think the aim of the circle is far wider than that. I happen to know that it is considered a very valuable review of work, even for thorough students. My father, for instance, expresses himself as

Starting point is 05:13:06 richly repaid in personal advantage for the amount of time which he has given to the scheme. Scholars, gifted with very keen brains, planned the course of study, with a view to benefiting a great variety of people. I'm inclined to think I shall find a circle somewhere to join next year, if for nothing else but the comfort of belonging to the round table. Do you know about the round table, Miss Raynor? No. Then you have never been to Chautauqua? There is a special delight in store for you. I have never been anywhere, said Caroline simply, and I have almost as much hope of going to Europe as to Chautauqua. She positively will not. pretend to have any advantages that she has not had. This was the mental comment of the young man

Starting point is 05:13:54 who had set out to study her. Miss Irene held her ground firmly, resolved upon pressing the celebrated artist into communicativeness regarding his profession, but it was all to no purpose. Whether he detected the ring of affectation in her questions, or the utter meagerness of her knowledge, or whether he was really too weary of the subject to want to talk about it, it, Caroline could not tell. In any case, he gaily resisted her efforts, and would try to make her talk about the Chautauqua Circle, which subject she could not even pretend to understand, having kept herself until recently far above it. "'How do you do again?' said a fourth voice at their elbow. It was the special guest

Starting point is 05:14:42 whom all the others had been invited to meet. It was to Caroline that he offered his hand, as he said in hearty tones, You gave us as fine a condensation of history tonight, as is often put into a few pages. Monteth, how many people do you think study Maravale as this circle evidently has this winter? Very few, said young Monteth, and added, I have been telling Miss Raynor that there is a delight in store for her,

Starting point is 05:15:10 such as she can hardly imagine. She tells me that she has never been to Chautauqua, and that she has no idea of being, being there, at least for years to come." Caroline said, much confused over her position in the central doorway, held a prisoner by Kent Monteth and talking with the most prominent personage in the company. "'I think I must go,' she said in undertone to Mr. Monteth. Mrs. Fenton is waiting to speak to me.

Starting point is 05:15:38 "'Is she? Which is Mrs. Fenton? I used to know her when I was a very small boy, and came with my father and mother to the old homestead. As long ago as that, Miss Raynor, this house was the old homestead. Just introduce me again to Mrs. Fenton, will you? And with a parting bout the lady and gentleman, he passed on with Caroline, she more embarrassed than before.

Starting point is 05:16:03 She had meant to slip quietly away to Mrs. Fenton's side. That was the truth and nothing but the truth, her companion said gaily when they were alone. But about its being the whole truth, I am more doubtful. I think I wanted to get away from that indefatigable lady who wanted to talk ought to me. Did you ever chance to hear the way the imitation article pronounces that word, Miss Raynor? Then, as seemed to be his custom, without waiting for a reply to the question, he dashed into another subject. I can't tell you how sorry I am that our review of that book was interrupted. I wanted to hear the logical progression of the argument.

Starting point is 05:16:45 I'll tell you what, Miss Raynor, let me see you. you safely home this evening, then you can finish the review for me, will you?' Then was Caroline's embarrassment intense. She had supposed it to be a sort of accident that had given her the company of this distinguished gentleman at the refreshment table, and the gratifying of a scholarly whim to see how well one book had been studied that had prompted his persistent questioning since. But to receive still more attention from him, without acquainting him with her place in society, seemed to this painfully honest girl in impropriety.

Starting point is 05:17:21 What if Professor Montief's son should take the long walk from his father's house to Mrs. Chester's door, in company with Mrs. Chester's hired help? Caroline was sufficiently versed in the style of gossip rampant in the little town to know that it would be a painful experiment to the young man if he were sensitive.

Starting point is 05:17:40 At the same time, she appreciated his kindness and his conversation, and disliked to decline his courtesy with apparent rudeness. As often before in her life, she resolved on the alternative of entire honesty. The parlor was long, and their progress slow, surrounded as they were by other promenators. Besides, Mrs. Fenton, eager little woman that she was, flitted twice from the station where they expected to meet her, so there was time for explanation. Caroline's voice was as quiet and self-sustained as it had been when she was reviewing Walker for his benefit. I thank you, Mr. Monteth, but it is not right that I should accept your

Starting point is 05:18:23 kindness. You mistake my position. I am not in society. Not? repeated Mr. Monteth with a purposely puzzled tone. I supposed you were. I have been absent from my native land for a number of years. What has that term come to mean in this region? I thought you were my father's guest. I beg your pardon. Caroline did not want to laugh, but she could not help it. I mean that I was never in society before, and do not expect to be again. It was your father's great kindness.

Starting point is 05:18:57 I am not in the same circle with his other guests. You have met Mrs. Chester here this evening? I am her hired help, have been for two years, and expect to be as long as I say, succeed in suiting her. I know Mrs. Chester. She belonged to one of the old families that my grandfather used to tell about

Starting point is 05:19:16 when I was a tow-headed boy. I remember I used to think she did not look so very old, and I could not understand why that term was always applied to her. They live in the old homestead, my father told me, or in the grand mansion that they have built in its place.

Starting point is 05:19:33 Not half so fascinating a place I'll venture as the rambling old house was. But nearly a mile from here is it not? Unless your author was a decidedly prosy old fellow, you will just have time to finish the review. May I walk home with you, Miss Raynor? She did not want to laugh. Her cheeks were the color of the scarlet fuchsias they were just passing,

Starting point is 05:19:56 but there was such a sparkle of mischief in his eyes and such suppressed fun in his voice that she could not help it. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Questions and answers There was one pair of ears that evening, eagerly listening for every crumb which fell from anyone's lips concerning Chautauqua. This was none other than young Robert Fenton.

Starting point is 05:20:33 You will remember that he was the inspirer of this special branch, and certainly was as much interested in its success as any human being. could be. Were not his father and mother both members, and had he not had nicer evenings with them since this circle came into existence, talking up Roman history, than he ever remembered before in his life? I will even admit that it added spice to his enjoyment to discover that he was an authority when controverted points were being discussed, and that his mother had once said to Caroline and young Charlie Mathers in his hearing, I think you must be mistaken in your date, for my Robert says thus and so,

Starting point is 05:21:15 and he is generally very correct. Oh, yes, Robert Fenton was an intense believer in the CLSC, and had an intense longing to visit Chautauqua. He drew near when he heard the name, and presently made a bold petition. Won't you tell us all about Chautauqua? I mean to go there this summer if I can, and I think I can. Now anybody who knows the man that has made Chautauqua what it is,

Starting point is 05:21:43 knows that the keen questioning eyes and eager smiles of a wide-awake boy fascinate him instantly. He turned quickly at the sound of the fresh young voice. All about Chautauqua, yes, sir, with pleasure, where shall I begin? So it transpired that there was another catechetical exercise that evening. One by one, the promenators halted in his vicinity. Little by little, the circle widened, until fully one-third of the guests had arranged themselves within hearing, to listen in question, while the one best posted told them about the place which had such a charmed life to some of them. You ought to go this season every one of you. Dr. Montief said, suddenly, breaking away from the listening group and joining a company who were trying to listen,

Starting point is 05:22:34 and yet we're too far away to hear much. I hope for a very large delegation from our circle. Mr. Fenton, have you decided to take your family? Yes, sir, was that gentleman's prompt answer? If nothing prevents, I hope to spend about six weeks there this summer. If Robert were within hearing, he would applaud. Mrs. Fenton said, laughing. He has never been able to bring his father to so outspoken a decision as that. The group around Dr. Monteth were eager to question, and finding him well posted, they poured out their queries. Several of them had already arrived at definite decisions. Even pretty little Amy Allison declared she could go if she wanted to, and she believed she wanted to. She had intended to go to Long Branch,

Starting point is 05:23:27 some way it seemed to her that this would be nicer. There were those who were gravely silent about the matter. James Ward had canvassed the subject somewhat thoroughly in his own mind, and decided that it would be foolish to expect his father to expend so much money for what would look to him like a mere entertainment. Caroline, as she had said, had as much expectation of going to Europe as to Chautauqua, and as for Paul, he had not even given the matter a thought beyond the one involved in a very positive statement made not long before to Robert Fenton. One of these days I mean to go there, but it won't be for several years yet. So these three, while they listened interestedly, did not give such listening as those who

Starting point is 05:24:13 said, I'm going. But many were listening and questioning, evidently with a view to future plans. What about the teacher's retreat? questioned Mr. Fenton, any better in that to people who never expect to be teachers? Decidedly, yes. The very best educators in the country are to be there to exhibit what they consider the best ways of presenting thought to young minds. Aside from the personal benefit to be obtained through those lectures, conversations, and the like, no parent can afford to do without the knowledge and the stimulus which they present. What is the expense of living at Chautauqua?

Starting point is 05:24:55 from another side of the room? Now that question is almost as difficult to answer as it would be for you to tell me what is the expense of living in Centerville, their victim said, smiling. The truth is, it depends on the sort of living which you are pleased to want. If you keep house, it will depend on the number of rooms

Starting point is 05:25:15 in your house, the size of your party, the brains of your clerk, and the economy of your cook, as well as on several other things. If you board, it, It will depend on the size and style of the room you require, and the number and variety of the delicacies which you are willing to pay for. There is a hotel with good accommodations. There are any number of private boarding houses, with prices varying according to location

Starting point is 05:25:41 and accommodations. There are cottages to rent where you can, as I said, set up an establishment of your own. There are restaurants where you can buy almost any necessary that can be thought of. There are tents which you can rent for a trifle, and roll yourself in a blanket at night, and buy a pitcher of milk in some rolls at the bakers in the morning, and live as cheaply as you can anywhere on earth. Somebody told my Fred that there was a school of languages, or something of that sort, said Mr. Morris. Is there any special advantage in that line? Six weeks of thorough drill in whatever language you choose, or as many of them as you choose, the teachers being the best.

Starting point is 05:26:24 Some go so far as to say the best that can be found in this country or any other. Such work as that is worth a great deal to any scholar. Thus the questions and answers continued, Dr. Montese-Click, seeming as deeply interested as the circle in the front parlor, and I'll attempt to introduce any other topic, having been suspended, it is safe to say that certain ones at least were wiser when they went home that evening than they had been when they came. This matter of going home deserves a little attention.

Starting point is 05:26:59 It marked an important era in the lives of some. James Ward, by the merest chance, had been standing near to pretty little Amy when supper was announced, or it is probable his courage would not have been equal to waiting on her to the table. But the bright little efforts at conversation in which they two had indulged had had all the charm of novelty to him, And besides, was not Jack Butler exactly opposite, bestowing an occasional supercilious glance in their direction?

Starting point is 05:27:30 What if he should ask to see Miss Amy home, and what if Jack Butler proposed to do the same thing, and he should be in advance of Jack, and Miss Amy should not refuse him? Would not that be a delightful triumph? It was a bold undertaking. How bold it appeared to him you will hardly be able to imagine, unless you are a young man who have been entirely isolated from the society of young misses until the very thought of attempting any of the most ordinary courtesies towards them flushes your face and sets your heart to throbbing. It was a miserable motive. I regret that he had not a better one.

Starting point is 05:28:10 But truth compels me to state that every time James Ward thought of his enemy, Jack Butler, and of his possible intentions toward the pretty Amy, the desire grew upon him to attempt at least to discomfort him. Now it happened, strangely enough, that the head of the pretty Amy was somewhat troubled with a like thought. Since Young Ward had been under the ban of her father's command, she had not even talked with him at the circle. Not that she had avoided this entertainment, but he had been so absorbed in his work there as to have given her no opportunity. But on this evening, when he, having canvassed the subject, boldly invited her to the dining-room, she had been standing beside her mother, and, receiving that mother's smiling nod of assent,

Starting point is 05:29:00 little Amy had accompanied with a light heart, the one who was certainly the hero of the evening. Half an hour afterwards, she twitched her mother's sleeve with an important question. Say, Mama, suppose Mr. Ward should ask to walk home with me, what am I? to say. Well, said the mother, looking with admiring and yet half-troubled eyes on her pretty daughter, I don't know, he appears like a very nice young man, and her eyes wandered over to where he stood and bestowed a swift glance of appreciation on his new and finally fitting suit. He has made a most creditable appearance this evening in every way, and Dr. Monteth tells me he thinks very well of him indeed. I don't think Papa would object Amy for this one evening. I don't believe he will ask me,

Starting point is 05:29:53 Amy said with a foolish little laugh. She referred to Young Ward, not to her father. But he did ask her, and had the intense satisfaction of hearing her soft pretty voice say to Jack Butler, I am engaged, thank you, when he asked the same question soon afterwards. Much ado was made in one way and another about that matter of going home. I suppose, Mrs. Chester said to her husband, as she met him in the hall, herself wrapped for the walk, I suppose we ought to have Caroline go along with us. It seems a very singular idea,

Starting point is 05:30:30 but I really don't see how she is to get home unless we see to it. Would you send a servant down to tell her to get ready? I don't believe it will be necessary for you to take that trouble, Mr. Chester said with twinkling eyes. I saw her disappearing through the front door in company with young Montief just before we came upstairs. Well, really?

Starting point is 05:30:54 declared Mrs. Chester. I never heard anything to equal that in all my life. There had never been anything in Caroline's experience quite like that pleasant walk home in the moonlight. You will remember that she had no girlish memories to look back upon of walks with companions. of her own age, who talked with her about things in which she was interested, or cared particularly

Starting point is 05:31:18 to hear her talk about anything. As for Kent Monteth, his real or pretended interest in the book that she had been studying had not subsided. Tell me the rest, he had said, almost as soon as they were fairly on their way. I think your author is clear-brained at least. Let me hear more of him. The rest, Caroline said laughing. I cannot think that you expect me to give you a history of our last month's work in one short evening. Well, not each word in detail, I presume. I will be contented if you give me an idea of its effect on you. What new ideas beyond those which you mentioned has it given you?

Starting point is 05:32:00 Or, in other words, what good has it done you? What good? repeated Caroline thoughtfully. I think that is a question not easily answered. I cannot tell what great. great good it may do me in the future. I feel as if a great many weapons had been put into my hands that I had not before. How I am to use them, or with whom, my father in heaven knows, and I thank him for giving me this opportunity to arm my mind. Then you accept all the ideas

Starting point is 05:32:32 and suggestions found in the book? Oh, I long ago accepted the facts about which the book treats. I found them in the Bible and took them for my own, but what is very pleasant to me is being helped to show others, some others who have had even less opportunity than I, the reasonableness of it all. That is just what I want. Show it to me, please. You do not come in my list, she said gently. And why not? Because you have had abundant opportunities, and I cannot but think that you have availed yourself of some of them. It would be so exceedingly foolish to suppose that you had not. Well, suppose I have, and suppose that I find myself not helped as you have been. Suppose I feel utterly unable to see the reasonableness of it all. Suppose, for instance,

Starting point is 05:33:25 I were to confess to a belief that the evangelical idea of prayer was entirely inconsistent with the idea that God knows everything, has planned everything, has settled everything, has settled everything, and therefore it cannot be changed, not even if the whole created universe were to pray that it might be. What have you learned from your book that can help me?' "'Nothing,' said Caroline promptly. "'I suppose there may be arguments for that class of persons, although this writer did not take up that phase of the subject. But I should think there was only one that would be perfectly satisfactory and unanswerable.'

Starting point is 05:34:04 "'Well, now, if there is one which answerable.' such a description, it is clearly your duty to give it to me, for I tell you frankly that I have never found it. I know it, was her quiet and to him surprising answer. May I be permitted to ask just what that quiet little sentence means? You know that I have never met this one-answerable argument, do you mean? I know you have never given it a fair and careful study, or you would not now be questioning the fact. You are very positive. He said, laughing a little. All minds do not work alike you remember. Possibly it would not be so perfectly convincing to me as it has been to you. In his heart, he said, what an opinionated little

Starting point is 05:34:51 thing it is after all. I fancied I had found a curiosity, a woman who did not suppose that she had scaled the heights of all wisdom, because she knew a little about two or three things. The absurdity of her supposing that she has alighted upon an argument which I have not studied and could not answer if I chose. Then, carefully hiding all this undertone of thought, he added, I am all attention, and really almost overwhelmed with curiosity as to this unanswerable argument which has been hidden from me for so many years. I should think it would be an unanswerable argument as to the power of prayer, for a person to pray daily, sometimes hourly, and receive unmistakable answers to prayer. All the combined wisdom of the world, though it was poured into my ears in the form of

Starting point is 05:35:42 arguments to which I could make no answer in words, would not convince me that God does not hear my prayer and answer, because I have daily proof from himself that he does just that thing. As to how he can do it, or why he chose to do it, or how the seeming contradictions, between that and his foreknowledge is reconciled, while it would be very pleasant for me to know, as it is pleasant for me to know so many of the things which I have learned in this book, after all, it is not essential to my belief in the fact.

Starting point is 05:36:14 And I really should think, as I said, that the personal knowledge of the fact would be the only unanswerable argument to some minds. What is perfectly unaccountable to me is the fact that honest questioners do not apply this simple test to the themselves and settle all doubts. Now was the scholarly young artist astounded. He had studied carefully. He was gifted an argument for one so young. He believed himself to be thoroughly posted, yet there was undeniable truth in the fact that he had never personally tested the power of prayer.

Starting point is 05:36:52 It is a test which it is impossible to apply. He said at last, speaking shortly, all his gay courtesy apparently gone. An honest man could not kneel down and pray when he did not believe that there was any such thing as an answer to prayer. An honest man could kneel down and ask God to give him a belief in the doctrine of answered prayer, and if I were an honest unbeliever, I would ask God for that, on my knees day after day, until I was convinced that I had come to him with all the sincerity I possessed, and laid the fact of my unbelief before him, and, and he had to be given, and and asked for help and had not received it. I have often thought that if all honest unbelievers

Starting point is 05:37:35 would but stop their reasoning, trying to plan out God's work for him, and go to him with the whole story, how quickly it would silence all doubt, for faith is the gift of God. What proportion of them do you suppose really put that test, Mr. Monteth? I don't know, he answered briefly.

Starting point is 05:37:55 Then after a moment, you say Walker does not discuss this faith, of the subject? Not at any length, indeed I should hardly say that he touched upon it. He takes certain truths for granted, among them the power of prayer. Where do you find the unanswerable argument which you have been presenting so skillfully? In the Bible, if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine. Have you studied that book carefully, Mr. Monteth? cross-examined I declare, exclaimed that gentleman, but the sentence was mental. To the questioner he gave a somewhat evasive answer, and then most skillfully changed the subject.

Starting point is 05:38:39 He had had enough of both Walker and theology for one evening. End of Chapter 16 Chapter 17 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Yes, I like it. He went home in a somewhat thoughtful mood, the quiet, clear-eyed girl who was, not in society, and whom he had thought to honor by his attention for one evening, partly to honor his father's whim, partly from mischief because of the undoubted sensation that he knew he could create

Starting point is 05:39:19 and thus transgressing all the society people's sense of propriety, and partly out of pure good nature, because he judged that it would be a new world to her, which he, knowing no one, and caring to know no one in this region, could afford her as well as not. This same unimportant being had given him food for thought. It was a curious fact that the argument which she had presented had been, in a sense, unanswerable. What was a man to say to a person who calmly asserted that she had received not one but many direct and emphatic answers to prayer? That she was mistaken?

Starting point is 05:39:58 but then no argument lay therein, and you had by no means succeeded in convincing the person that such was the case. In fact, when one reduced the matter to actual logic, was not the weight of testimony against his side of the question? Here stood arrayed an army of scholars, among whom was to be found his honored father, calmly declaring, all other proofs aside, we know this to be true, that God has heard and answered us. Could he, in reply, say, I know this to be true, that God has not answered me? No, he couldn't, because the first part of the statement was lacking. God had not heard him, therefore how could he be expected to answer him? He actually was not a petitioner at all, had never tried to obtain audience with the king,

Starting point is 05:40:51 and yet was presuming to declare in the face of those who had tried and been admitted that he knew no such thing was possible. In this clearly unanswerable light did the folly present itself, having been called to mind by Caroline's few quiet words, and yet, I grieve to tell you that, gentlemen though he was, a reasoning being, with more than usual brainpower,

Starting point is 05:41:17 he yet dismissed the whole subject with a careless, nonsense, the idea of my plunging into theology when I came home on purpose to rest, I wonder why that tiresome Chautauqua circle, which is aiming to circle the world, I verily believe, had to put that into its list. Why couldn't it have been content with Rome and other tangible matters? She is a sharp girl, rather, for one in her position. Well, I've done my duty, and given the sleepy old aristocratic town a nine-day's sensation,

Starting point is 05:41:47 and she has done hers and given me a lecture on what is evidently her favorite topic, so we can both sleep with easy consciences tonight. But they didn't. The cultured young artist tossed for hours on a restless pillow. It is plain language, a word not often used in polite society, a word that he by no means allowed himself to use to himself, and yet he knew as well as though he had said it aloud that he was a fool. Mr. Fenton went home chuckling.

Starting point is 05:42:21 He was very much amused with his wife. I don't care, said that little woman, setting her lips firmly. I don't like it. Don't like what? This, any of it. I won't have Caroline made sport of. I don't believe he has the least idea of making sport of her. He is a good-natured young fellow,

Starting point is 05:42:42 and his father has given him a hint, quite likely, of the way that Jack Butler and a few other apes of his stamp have treated her, and he thinks he will teach them all a lesson, and give her a pleasant time in the bargain. I don't see why it wasn't a nice thing to do, a great deal better than letting her walk home alone or trot on after the Chester's. Oh, well now, Robert, I know young men, and so do you.

Starting point is 05:43:08 If Kent Monteith were a grand Christian man like his father, and did such things with a purpose, it would be different. But he is just the sort of man to make the whole thing into a burlesque to entertain his artist friends with when he goes back to the city. They will shout over his caricature of Caroline, and he will think he is witty, and they will think he is jolly, and a nice time they will have of it,

Starting point is 05:43:34 tossing her name about among them. I thought Caroline had more sense. I wonder she didn't decline his attentions on the spot. All this set Mr. Fentinoff into another laugh. You women are queer, he said when he could speak, It isn't two hours since you were admiring young Monteth because he was so fine a copy of his father, and now you are in a rage with him because he has treated your particular pet like a gentleman, instead of making a monkey of himself and pretending to be above her.

Starting point is 05:44:07 How is a man to go to work to please you? I don't quite know what I mean, confessed Mrs. Fenton presently. Only I know I am very much attached to Caroline, and I can't like to think of anybody laughing or talking about her, as so many will now. He has made her conspicuous, don't you see? And no woman ought to be made conspicuous. Still, if I thought he showed her attention from real kindness of heart, and not for the fun that was to be gotten out of it, I should feel differently. In fact, if I was sure it wouldn't injure Caroline herself, I wouldn't mind the rest. Injure Caroline? How? What do you mean?

Starting point is 05:44:50 Oh, it isn't easy to tell what I mean. Give her ideas, you know. Kent Monteth is in the very first society in the city, rich and talented and admired and all that, and he has sort of singled her out from all our young people and given her special attention. It would be no more than natural, if she should, on the strength of that, get some foolish ideas, and go fancying that he was struck with her appearance, you know, and all that nonsense, and get dissatisfying, and get dissatisfying. with her position and, oh, well, I tell you, I don't know how to express it. In fact, I hardly know what I think myself. This whole question is such a muddle to me. But I know I think a great deal of Caroline, and I don't want her spoiled nor hurt, and I am afraid of such things as we have had tonight. I should think it was a muddle, declared Mr. Fenton, still in utmost good humor? You are mad at people who slight Caroline, and you are twice as mad at people who show her attention, so I don't know how you are to be pleased. Mrs. Fenton laughed over this picture of her own inconsistency, yet was troubled and perplexed. It was true, as she said, that she didn't

Starting point is 05:46:06 know what she thought, only that she wanted to shield Caroline from gossip and from every possible harm. Mr. Fenton is said to help her or to think aloud. Women are queer, they do it. Do what? Why, make distinctions in society, of which men would never dream, and when they get them made, they don't know what they mean by them. Did you see young Bennett walking away with Miss Harper tonight? This question seemed an entirely irrelevant one to Mrs. Fenton, so she answered wonderingly, why, yes, what of that? She is nothing but a music teacher. Why don't you exclaim over that as mischievous? Robert Fenton, what do you mean? I mean, he said, laughing at her astonished, not to say, indignant face, that she affords a good illustration of the distinctions about which I was talking.

Starting point is 05:47:02 It is all right to receive her into good society, though I do hire her to give my boy music lessons. That is, we receive her into our society. We must remember that there is a society here in America, too, that would look down on her with contempt because she earned her living. We have none of that nonsense. But because Mrs. Chester pays Caroline for sweeping her rooms, she mustn't be introduced to our friends. Now, isn't that queer? Oh, well, Robert, you know as well as I do that it isn't the mere difference in the kinds of work. Whether it is our fault or not, it is a fact that, as a rule, the girls who work in our kitchens

Starting point is 05:47:44 are not fitted, either by education or taste, to associate with us. They wouldn't enjoy it any better than we. But you don't think Caroline one of the ordinary sort. Isn't she well-fitted by education and taste as most of us? Of course she is. I think she is better fitted than half the girls in town. Then why not accept that fact and not worry about her, or act as though the accident of her position as a hired helper to Mrs. Chester had anything to do with it? People won't, said Mrs. Fenton, laughing, yet vexed. As for Mrs. Chester, she grumbled a little the next morning before she left her dressing room. I suppose my lady will be too lofty to wait on the table this morning. I am really afraid I shall feel.

Starting point is 05:48:34 embarrassed at the idea of soliciting her help. And she set the hairbrush down with a little bang and looked annoyed. She believed her comfort with her rare help was gone. Yet nothing about Caroline contributed toward this conclusion. Her dress was as neat and as severely plain as ever. Her manner as quietly respectful and her forethought for the comfort of the household as strongly marked as heretofore. Watching her with wide open, jealous

Starting point is 05:49:04 eyes during the day, seeing her go about her many duties with quiet care and usual success, Mrs. Chester gradually changed her mind. She really is an unusual girl, she told herself. I don't think I ever even read of one like her before, and yet in English novels one is always reading about those rare maids who are more like friends of the family than hired help. I declare I believe Caroline is superior to any of them. thenceforward mrs chester adorned herself with a new character she became the patron of her second girl talked with her as to her hopes and plans for the future aided and abetted them as well as she could arranged that the hours when she was off duty should be absolutely her own and not interrupted as heretofore by her mistress's whims and in many ways showed herself a friend well for caroline that she had the rare sense to take this help for what it was worth and appreciate it. She did not resent the evident air of patronage that hovered about

Starting point is 05:50:10 it all. She ignored the constant reminder that her sphere in life was low, and, realizing that special kindness was meant, showed her gratitude in a hundred nameless ways. In short, mistress and maid grew nearer to each other with each passing day, nearer than Caroline at least had ever supposed it possible for her to come. As for Mrs. Chester, she grew daily so satisfied with herself and her experiment that she was in danger of becoming a reformer along the very line in which she had hitherto especially failed. But all this is looking ahead. I am glad for Caroline's sake that she could not hear the conversation which passed between Mr. and Mrs. Fenton on that evening, especially Mrs. Fenton's share in it. She would have known then that, that,

Starting point is 05:50:59 that, staunch as that little woman was in her friendship, she underrated the girl she was befriending. Not a thought of silliness connected with Kent Monteth entered our Caroline's mind. There was just this outgrowth from the evening's experience. He was very kind, she said musingly, very kind indeed. It is his father's kindness, of course, handed down to me through him, but it was thoughtful. It made the evening what it could not have been to me but for him. his forethought. Then after a moment of serious thought, poor young man, with all his advantages, his superior education in high culture, not to have even tasted of the true wisdom. And she added his name to the list of those whom she daily brought before God in prayer. And really,

Starting point is 05:51:50 if they had all but known it, this was precisely what Professor Monteth had hoped that the rare girl would do for his son. Before the next day's sun had set, one member of the Centerville Circle had what was to him a marvelous experience. Paul Adams, the next afternoon between three and four o'clock, was driving his plane vigorously over a rough board, when he was interrupted by a question from his employer, suddenly put, yet having that indescribable air about it, which lets one see that it introduces an idea that has been industriously turned over in the mind for some day. time. What you're going to do all summer, Paul? Work, said Paul, sending the plane skillfully on its way, yet bestowing a shrewd glance on Mr. Tucker.

Starting point is 05:52:41 What did the man mean? Wasn't he going to employ him? Then silence lasted for some time, Mr. Tucker seeming to have exhausted his resources for conversation with that one question. Presently, however, he jerked out another. How would you like to take a little trip with me." A trip! The plane stopped now for a full half-minute, while Paul took time to look amazed. He had never been twenty miles away from home in his life. I, a trip! And the reflective, irresolute look on the face of the carpenter settled into one of determination. I've about made up my mind to do it. I don't object to going just for the sake of going. I've never had no opportunities of that kind, and I've about made up my mind to give you the chance to go along. There's others that have

Starting point is 05:53:33 worked for me longer, and know more about work than you do, of course, and perhaps could help more. But I always had a liking for your father, and I don't mind saying that, though I'm kind of astonished at myself about it, I've taken an unaccountable liking to you. The long and short of it is, you can go along if you want to. And the carpenter tossed down the bit of board that he had been whittling, with an air of satisfaction that at least so much was settled. Where, too, was all the astonished boy could say? Well, I ain't too sure that I know myself. The bit of board was picked up, and the whittling went on again.

Starting point is 05:54:13 Do you happen to have heard ever of a kind of place in the woods, or near the woods, called Chatequay or something like that? Indian kind of name, I guess. If he had not been whittling, he would have noticed, the sudden gleam of light in Paul's eyes. Chautauqua! He flashed the word out as if it might have been a talisman. Yes, I guess that is the way he pronounced it.

Starting point is 05:54:38 You see, there is a kind of settlement there in the woods. I don't understand much about it, and it don't make no difference. Mr. Monteth, the professor, you know, has got interested in it, and he wants a house built, two of them, in fact, and he says he wants to put the work into the hands of somebody that he knows he can trust. and not have to think anything about it. And he has made me a good offer, and I'm going to do it. He put it into my head to take help along with me from here.

Starting point is 05:55:08 He thinks it will pay if it is a long journey, and I don't mind telling you that I said to him at once, I'd rather have you at my heels to do just what I told you than any other hand I had. By this time Mr. Tucker looked up from his whittling and caught the gleam in the young workman's eyes. It was so bright that he felt almost startled. You like it, I guess, he said wonderingly.

Starting point is 05:55:34 Yes, said Paul, catching his breath and trying to speak in a natural tone. I like it. End of Chapter 17. Chapter 18 of The Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. This way to the hall. And so it came to pass that is the newest steamer on Chautauqua Lake, shining with paint and cleanliness, slipped softly into harbor one July

Starting point is 05:56:07 afternoon, freighted with the Centerville delegation, to say nothing of several hundred other people, it was Paul Adams in his neat business suit and thoroughly business air who stood on the dock waiting to receive them. He had been at Chautauqua for four weeks, and was prepared to do the honors. Various things had combined to make the Centerville representation much larger than had been anticipated. The Fentons were there, of course. They had looked forward to the treat for so long, and planned so systematically, that no trifling intervention could have kept them away. Young Bennett was there, not because he had at first intended, but because he discovered at a late hour that a certain professor, whom he had long been anxious to see and hear,

Starting point is 05:56:56 was to be at Chautauqua during the teacher's retreat. Therefore he came. Miss Amy Allison was there because there seemed no reason in the world why she should not come. Mrs. Fenton had been so kind as to promise to take care of her, and it was such lovely weather, and they said the boating on the lake was just splendid, and the bathing ditto, why shouldn't she go? So she went. Caroline Raynor was there, because the Chester's had suddenly determined on a trip to the mountains, which did not include her. therefore her time was at her own disposal, and because Mrs. Fenton, planning day and night, ways of bringing it about,

Starting point is 05:57:38 had finally hit upon a plan of cooperative housekeeping with Caroline for Commander-in-Chief, meeting her share of the expenses by assuming the care of the household, and because, oh, rare and blessed experience, Mr. Chester had, after days of hard work bestowed by Caroline, to aid the family preparations for departure, placed in her hand, a roll of bills and said, Now go to Chautauqua or somewhere and enjoy yourself you deserve to if anybody does. On examination, there proved to be bills enough

Starting point is 05:58:11 to give her the round trip. So all these unexpected events combining to make her way clear, she came. The word boys were there because, well, I find on consideration that it is very difficult to tell you why they came. They did not know themselves. no one could be more astonished than themselves

Starting point is 05:58:31 over the fact that they were actually on the steamer. Certain consultations between their father and Dr. Monteth undoubtedly had much to do with it. Of this the young men were sure. Only what arguments could the doctor have brought to bear on the father to cause him to be the prime mover in the matter of their going? Actually suggesting it, indeed I may say urging it. not only for one, but emphatically for both sons, entering into the details of plans,

Starting point is 05:59:04 furnishing the money, and in every way pushing the enterprise. The boys did not understand it. They had not said much about it to each other, but both had lain awake of nights revolving the matter. Possibly, had they heard certain words of Dr. Monteth's one morning, as he stood in Mr. Ward's store door and talked with that gentleman, they might have been wiser, and yet so little did they understand their father that I am not sure about this being the case. I look to Chautauqua as a means of helping your son James to a discovery of what place he was made to fill in life. That is one reason why I hope you will conclude to send him there this summer. It is a good place in which to develop to a young man his own powers and the line in which he ought to cultivate them.

Starting point is 05:59:54 James has reached the point where this discovery is of the highest importance to him. I think there are grand possibilities about the young man. As for Joseph, I think you will pardon the suggestion, knowing how thoroughly interested I am in both the boys for their mother's sake. I knew their mother, you remember, when she and I were young. I should like to isolate Joseph for a time from all his old companions not only, but his old haunts, and surround him by such influence. as his mother would have liked. I know of no better field than Chautauqua in which to experiment.

Starting point is 06:00:32 This in substance is what Dr. Monteth said about it. I think he understood Mr. Ward better than the sons did. Whether from that or from other causes, the boys were of the Chautauqua party. Of course, it is unnecessary to state that the Monteths were of the party, also the Wheelers and the McChesneys, and the stewards to say nothing of certain men and women not so prominent in society or culture, but who were thoroughly interested by this time in Chautauqua. It is a curious thing how impossible it is, as a rule, to convey to people a correct impression of any place by merely telling them about it. As a matter of fact, every member, at least of the Centerville delegation,

Starting point is 06:01:18 had heard of Chautauqua as a place where were many cottages, some fine ones, boarding houses, hotels, stores, telegraph office, post office, and other indications of civilized life. Yet not one of those who were nearing the grounds for the first time, but realized afterwards that he had believed himself about to land in the woods and camp out in very rural style for a few weeks, a taste of pioneer life, with many discomforts, and a fair chance to immortalize himself by being good-natured under difficult To each of this number, there came a sensation of bewilderment, as the boat fairly touched the broad wharf, and the stream of human life began to pour off. How do you all do? was the characteristic American greeting of Paul Adams as he stepped briskly forward to meet them.

Starting point is 06:02:11 Claim your baggage at the other entrance, Mr. Fenton. One at a time, Mr. Parsons, the wheel won't register in couples. Mr. McChesney, the expressman, will attend to your login. You are booked for 279 Forest Avenue. Mr. Bennett, I secured number 20 for you at the Palace Hotel. Here is a gentleman who will show you the way. Just give your checks to him, and it will be all right. Oh, Mr. Stewart, there is a telegram awaiting you. You will find it at the office, 2nd Avenue, to the right.

Starting point is 06:02:43 Now, Mrs. Fenton, if your party is ready, we will move on to your house. You are on Jane's Avenue. Just pass around the park to your left, It is a short walk. How fast Paul Adams could talk! This was the only clear sensation some of that party had, for a few minutes at least. Where were they? Where were the woods and the camping out and the uncivilized surroundings and the chance to be heroic?

Starting point is 06:03:11 Palace Hotel and Forest Avenue and Jane's Avenue and telegrams and the park? Were they set down in the midst of a whirling city? To be sure, there stretched the woods green and cool, but the lovely park on one side, so carefully laid out, the broad winding avenues reaching away into the distance, the rush and bustle of business on every hand, the shout of newsboys with evening papers, the band of music in the distance, the immense piles of luggage that were being systematically disposed of by trained officials, all these things gave them a curious mixed sense of being in the woods and yet in the world, that was as unique as it was interesting. Arrived at the house which the Fentons and their

Starting point is 06:03:56 party had secured for the season, the effect was no less bewildering. Here, in place of the barest log cabin surroundings, they found a neat frame building, modern French windows, reaching to broad piazza floors, carpets, curtains, and in short, all the needful belongings of a tasteful summer home. Tinted walls and lace curtains, I declare, exclaimed Mrs. Fenton, standing in the center of one of the pretty rooms to make a general survey. Why, Caroline, this isn't the woods. Yes, it is, returned that young woman with a happy little laugh. See that row of trees just at the side door, and those in front, and that pretty little group across the way, and hear those birds. This one.

Starting point is 06:04:44 was really all the time that she bestowed on the outdoor world. Her mind was intent on getting everything within the small bright house reduced to home-like order. This, as every housekeeper knows, is no easy task, especially when you have stepped into an abode already furnished to remain only a few weeks, and do not feel justified in sending to the store or the wear rooms for every little article that has been overlooked. Steadily did the presiding genius of the house in the woods betake herself to her task. The others worked spasmodically, leaving off in the midst of a task to go to the dock when the afternoon boats came in, or to go to the office for a walk, or to rove through the ever-fascinating avenues just to see where they would lead, or to follow

Starting point is 06:05:33 the sound of martial music and get a glimpse of the picnic excursionists on parade. It would be impossible to give even a hint of the numerous devices which nature planned during the next few days to allure the dwellers in that cottage. Only Caroline worked on, insisting on planning until each thing was just where she wanted it to be, said in just such a way as would contribute most to the comfort of the inhabitants. I believe you like it, declared Mrs. Fenton to her as she arranged and rearranged the dishes in the tiny china closet with a view to economizing space. Here you are working away and the rest of us are just wild to get out. You haven't even seen the auditorium yet, nor the hall, nor anything. What do you mean? I'm saving them,

Starting point is 06:06:25 said Caroline, laughing. They'll keep, but my yeast won't unless I use it tonight. I'm going to bake some bread. It will seem ever so much more like home than that which we buy. Truth to tell, she did like it, this pretty new house, small enough to be home-like, simple enough, so that she might let the wings of her imagination soar into realms that would make of it her very own. What if it were, and she had the entire control of its management, surrounded always by people with whom she would like to be? In that case, how would she arrange this closet and that sitting room and that front chamber. These were endless sources of innocent pleasure to the lonely, homeless girl. Almost from childhood, her only home had been that of a hired helper in houses of wealth and

Starting point is 06:07:16 elegance. Perhaps this is the reason why such houses never meant home to her. They are too large and grand and cold, she said to herself with a shiver. I could never think of cuddling down in any corner of them and being just myself. I don't know what is the matter with them, but this little cottage is perfect. I wonder if the man who planned it has a wife and talked with her about these corner cupboards. He could never have thought them out himself without her help. How much obliged I am to her for them. Caroline Raynor enjoyed a great deal that summer at Chautauqua. If you should ever see her and talk with her about it, she will undonella have much to tell you about the lectures and the concerts and the rare and highly appreciated

Starting point is 06:08:04 opportunities on every hand. But so queer our human hearts that I doubt if she says a single word to you about those corner cupboards over which she worked with such quiet pleasure, and with such a sense of making the most of a convenient little home as she had never felt before. There came an evening, when the after-sepper dishes safely stored, and the room in order, Caroline washed her hands, unbuttoned and hung away the trim house apron behind a convenient door, that looked as though it had been hung with a special view to hiding away work aprons when work was done, and gave a satisfied little sigh as she told herself that now they might begin their meetings as soon as they pleased. She was quite ready to listen and enjoy. She knew

Starting point is 06:08:53 just what she was going to have for breakfast, and in just how little time it could be made ready. There was no occasion to give another thought to the house that evening. She resolved upon a walk. It was just at the fascinating hour when the soft gray mist of the departing day was hovering over all things, and yet when the sky was aglow with stars. Had she planned it all, she could not have chosen a better hour in which to get first impressions of the beauty that overhung Chautauqua. The question was, whom could she secure for a companion? The large family had scattered itself after tea as if by magic, irresistibly drawn in the ways of their various fascinations.

Starting point is 06:09:36 Mrs. Vinton, having been the last to go, half-provoked at Caroline meantime, because she would not be prevailed upon to leave some household task until the morrow, and come and see how lovely the lake looked in the twilight. "'Robert,' she said suddenly, discovering a gray-coated figure sitting out on a bit of log under one of the tallest trees, gazing steadily up into the sky. Suppose you come and show me a little piece of Chautauqua. Whereupon Robert Fenton jumped up from the log with great alacrity and came towards her. Are you really ready? he said eagerly. I shall be delighted to go with you. Caroline, do you know anything about astronomy? Not a thing, said Caroline, smiling over the earnestness of his tone. Well, I wish I did. I

Starting point is 06:10:26 I wonder why they don't have boys study it more. It seems strange to know almost nothing of a lot of worlds that we can look right up at. Think of Europe, for instance. I know a good deal about that part of the world, though I never saw it, and perhaps I never shall, though I think I shall. But anyhow, I've not seen it yet,

Starting point is 06:10:47 and I know pretty well what is going on over there. But what do I know about that star, that largest one looking right straight down on us? But then people can can travel through Europe and learn the languages and make the acquaintance of the inhabitants, and after you have learned all there is to know about that star, how much will you know of the people who live there, if there are any? That's true, said Robert thoughtfully, but that's no reason why a boy should not learn all

Starting point is 06:11:16 that he can about the star itself. To this Caroline heartily assented, and Robert, with increased earnestness, began to tell her of a certain lecture that was to be delivered soon at Chautauqua by one Dr. Warren. All about astronomy and just as fascinating as any storybook, Mr. Montief says so. Not Professor Monteth, but the young man. He says it's just splendid. Stopping himself in the midst of this tide of explanation, as they reached a turn in the avenue with the question, now which way do you want to go? Whichever way you are pleased to take me, I have not.

Starting point is 06:11:56 seen anything save what I couldn't help looking at when we arrived. Then I'm just going to take you to the hall. The rest rushed to the auditorium first and rave over that. It is splendid, I suppose, large you know, and makes one think of crowds and grand things. But I can't imagine people enough here to fill it, not to begin. With the hall now it is different. Just a nice audience would fill that, and it is so white and so, oh, well, I can't explain, only it's nice and you will like it. Some people don't care about it much, but I know you will. Thank you, said Caroline, and her heart was smiling as well as her eyes. She understood the boy, imagined something of what he would have said if he could have

Starting point is 06:12:44 expressed his feelings, and she understood and appreciated the delicately sincere compliment. This is a lovely avenue that leads to your favorite building, she said, as she turned back to look at the straight, wide road they had traversed, lying clear-cut amid the shadows of the overhanging trees. Isn't it? declared Robert, with ever-increasing enthusiasm. This is another thing I like so much, this avenue. I'll tell you, Caroline, when it must be just grand. And that is in full moonlight. Ha, there it is!

Starting point is 06:13:19 It is impossible to describe for you the delight that was in the boy's tones as the gleaming pillars of the hall of philosophy rose up before him. Something in the purity and strength and quaintness seemed to have gotten possession of him. Whether it was a shadowy link between him and some ancient scholar or worshipper, I cannot say, but certain it is that Robert Fenton, boy though he was, treading the Chautauquine avenues for the first time, felt his young heart thrill with a hope and a determination, neither of which he understood, every time he saw those gleaming pillars. Oh, said Caroline. Now what a foolishly insignificant word that appears on paper,

Starting point is 06:14:05 and yet you are no student of language if you do not, to some extent, realize the shades of feeling which it is capable of expressing. Let it but explode from living lips, able to give it just the right, intonation, and it becomes eloquent, pathetic, sarcastic, according to the mood of the speaker, but always effective. It satisfied Robert. There, he said in triumph, what did I tell you? They walked with quiet feet up and down the echoing floor. They walked to the outer edge and looked down on the hillside below them, over toward the lake, spanned by gleaming lights,

Starting point is 06:14:46 and up at the ever-increasing stars. They walked back and stood in front of the platform and gave free play to their almost equally vivid imaginations. They were really beginning life, these two, although counting by years one was nearly a decade ahead of the other. Robert's opportunities had been by far the greater, and this bridged the difference in years and made them companionable. Robert liked her.

Starting point is 06:15:14 He was not fond of most young, ladies, he had arrived at the age when a certain type of free and fearless boy needs to struggle hard with the temptation to look down upon all feminine natures, except perhaps his mothers and grandmothers, with something very like scorn. They were as a class so hopelessly weak and feeble, so afraid of a fence or a stream of water to cross. They screamed at bugs and worms, and shrank from dogs and even cows as terrible creations. They were, in short, so lacking in those elements which a real boy cannot help at a certain time in his life,

Starting point is 06:15:53 putting foremost among the virtues, that Robert at least knew few beside his mother that he cared to like, always putting Caroline first among the few. The quiet poise of her nature seemed to tone and rest his impetuous one. She was so calmly brave, where, many drew back and shrieked, that in Robert's eyes she was a model. He stepped on to the platform at last and said, Now I will be Professor de Profundus, and deliver a lecture on the biological construction of the,

Starting point is 06:16:26 well, the Gauls say, I know as little about them as any people. Will you be audience? Yes, she said, laughing. I will, if you will have a conversacion instead of a lecture, and explain to you. to me the meaning of the words which compose your topic. Whereupon he shrugged his shoulders and declared conversazione in his opinion to be dangerous things. Suppose every lecturer were called upon to explain the meaning of the words he used. What would become of the lecturer? Thus they, like two happy children, gave themselves up to the pleasure of the hour.

Starting point is 06:17:06 Robert, after indulging in a strain of bombastic eloquence for a few minutes, suddenly broke away to look after a passing squirrel, and Caroline moved toward one of the busts which adorned the hall, wondering much whose face it was, and finally growing so interested in the dim outline of feature that she set about learning. Robert, she called as she heard his step approaching. A what? I beg your pardon, ma'am. This was the answer in a strange voice to her call, and turning, somewhat startled, she saw that the hall had another occupant. End of Chapter 18. Chapter 19 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy.

Starting point is 06:17:57 This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Simple addition. A young man, tall, strongly built, leaning against one of the columns, roused apparently and suddenly from complete absorption in a book, which in the waning light he was still trying to read. I beg your pardon, he said again, as Caroline turned. I heard my name and imagined myself wanted. I suppose there are other Roberts in the world, though just at that moment I was ignorant of it. How do you do again? This was the other Robert's voice, and, with the unceremoniousness of boyhood, he proceeded to introduce his friends after a fashion of his own. This is Mr. Masters, Caroline.

Starting point is 06:18:44 Mr. Monteth introduced me to him this morning, and said he was a friend of his. This is our friend, Miss Raynor, Mr. Masters. There was something so entirely boyish, and at the same time courteous, in this presentation, that the two strangers could not help smiling at each other, I am not sure that your friend will like to make acquaintances in so unceremonious a manner, the gentleman said, yet he lifted his hat. I am glad to meet you again, this to Robert. I think you have a young man in your party, who I am anxious to meet.

Starting point is 06:19:20 Mr. Monteth told me I would be likely to find him at your cottage, Mr. James Ward. Robert promptly assured him that he knew of James Ward's whereabouts, and if he would join them on their homeward walk, he could probably see the young man that evening. Caroline, seeing the stranger hesitate and look inquiringly toward her, could not do other than assent to so simple a way of piloting him, nor was she sorry. Keen interest in James Ward, and intense anxiety to have Chautauqua in every sense a blessing and not a bane to him, made her a life to the importance of the companions which he, he chose. Who was this young man expressing such anxiety to seek him out? What would be his influence?

Starting point is 06:20:08 Almost unconsciously, while these thoughts passed rapidly through her mind, she gave him careful scrutiny. He had a frank, kind face. It seemed impossible not to trust it. Yet after all, could one really be sure of faces? What sort of a book was he so intent over? Her eyes lighted with pleasure as she recognized it. This at least was an old friend. Philosophy of the plan of salvation. She did not need to read the letters on the title page to make sure that the book, so like her own, bore that name. CLSC, she said, hardly realizing that she said it, and yet feeling pleased that the circle was widening. Possibly this was but the beginning of her hope to come in contact with people who were interested about the same things as herself.

Starting point is 06:21:01 Yes, indeed, he said with energy. I'm a CLSC and a CSL and a CFM, and anything else that Chautauqua offers for people like me who have a reasonable amount of brains and not much chance to cultivate them. I'm an enthusiast, Miss Raynor, a hobbyist, any name you like that will shadow forth something of the love and gratitude and reverence

Starting point is 06:21:25 that I have for Chautauqua. Her eyes sparkled over this. She was enough of a hobbyist about Chautauqua to admire enthusiasm in another. "'Have you been here before then?' she said. "'Indeed I have. I was here when Chautauqua was picked up out of its original woodseiness, and developed step by step into the city that it is. To appreciate the contrast, you should have seen it as I did,

Starting point is 06:21:52 an unbroken wilderness of trees and underbrush, inhabited by birds and squirrels in summer and snow and silence in winter. I saw it in both aspects. I could not have shut my eyes and dreamed out the contrast much faster, it seems to me, than it has grown upon me. Still, I'm good at dreaming. I have royal hours roving over these grounds, looking at things with prophetic eyes, as they shall be but a few years hence. Why? Caroline asked, with a mused yet interested face. He was so eager she could not but be interested. What do you expect in the future?

Starting point is 06:22:32 Oh, I don't know, anything that can be wrought out of my brain. In one sense, I may be said to expect it all, actual marble here perhaps instead of this white paint imitation, statuary worthy of the spot, one figure possibly to the memory of the great founder of this Parthenon, and one it may be to the memory of the one who helped to lay this floor, and build this platform. That's myself, you see. His tone had changed from an eager to a merry one. He was recognizing the folly of his rhapsody, addressed to this a perfect stranger,

Starting point is 06:23:09 who perhaps did not sympathize in the least with his love for the place. The sentence closed with a gay laugh. But young Robert did not laugh. His whole face was eager and his eyes bright. and marble steps leading down towards the lake and a marble roadway to the Pnecks, he said eagerly. It is like the Pnex, isn't it? I never thought of it before. Go ahead, declared the young man with a happy-hearted laugh. You are as good at dreaming as I am.

Starting point is 06:23:41 Between us, we will make Chautauqua famous. They had started for home, but paused for a last look at the hall in the twilight. It gave their new companion a chance to be able to make Chautauqua famous. It gave their new companion a chance to see Caroline's unsmiling, wistful face. Did you ever see such a building as that before? He asked her suddenly. She shook her head. No, and have no knowledge of the names which you gave it.

Starting point is 06:24:06 Why do you call it the Parthenon, for instance? Well, you know about the original Parthenon? Nothing at all. It was a wonderful marble building in Athens on the Acropolis. Do you know what that is? And again her only answer was a slow shake of the head and a wistful smile. It was the name given to the strongholds of cities, the highest points you know, where the great monuments were placed

Starting point is 06:24:33 and where the finest public buildings were. Athens had the finest acropolis in the world, so fine that when we say the acropolis nowadays, we mean Athens, though there were others. One of the most wonderful buildings on this acropolis was the Parthenon or the Atheneum or the Temple of Minerva, whichever name you please. It was built of white marble in the Doric style of architecture. What is the Doric style of architecture?

Starting point is 06:25:01 His eager listener interrupted him to ask. Well, looking up at the many-columed hall of philosophy, it is this style, an imitation on a small scale and in wood, of one of the grandest works of art to be found in the world. I don't like that it is patterned after a temple of Minerva. She said, looking up nevertheless, with a new interest, at the gleaming columns, which, in the brilliant starlight, one could readily imagine, were hewn from marble.

Starting point is 06:25:33 I do, he said promptly, intense earnestness in voice and manner. I like it exceedingly. Let the beautiful white temple be rescued from its heathen desecration, and dedicated to the service of the good and true God our Father, and his son, Jesus Christ. He lifted his hat reverently as he spoke, and Caroline felt her heart thrill with gladness, as she recognized in this a fellowship beyond that of any literary and social bond,

Starting point is 06:26:03 strong as these may be, even a relationship through Jesus Christ. You belong to his circle, then? She said inquiringly. I, I do. I was admitted into fellowship with him on these very grounds. He found me here, or rather it was here that he opened my stupid eyes to see him. I plainly realized now that he had followed me for many a year before that day, only I did not know it.

Starting point is 06:26:31 Oh, I told you I owed everything to Chautauqua. They had left the Parthenon in the distance now, and were rapidly nearing the cottage. Caroline had lost her anxiety about this newcomers seeking James Ward. Rather, she was anxious that she was. just such companionship as she already believed this would be, should be thrown around him. She liked this clear-eyed, frank-spoken man, and a curious feeling that she had known him a long time, and could talk with him as a friend, took possession of her. Something of this took shape in the form of a question which she suddenly asked. Out of the immense program that is offered here,

Starting point is 06:27:12 what can be selected to the best advantage by a person who has only a portion of the time at her disposal, and who wants to make the most of the opportunity so offered." "'That is an immense question,' he said, laughing. "'You see, it depends on so many things, whether you have already a special line of study and need help, or whether you need a start in a certain line which you desire to undertake, or whether you are after general information. The fact is, a person can get just about what he or she wants out of Chautauqua now. do you want? Everything, said Caroline, with perhaps a startling amount of energy. Then she laughed.

Starting point is 06:27:56 That is too literally true to be altogether a pleasant admission, she said. I am having my second good opportunity for learning anything. My first was in our local CLSC. Her companion turned and regarded her with an earnest look. Then you are a special friend of this scheme, he said with feeling, I am glad. I like to meet those who are indebted to the movement started here. I believe there are already thousands of them, and I believe there will be millions. There are people who call the enterprise superficial. He continued with increasing energy. I never knew anything that was less so.

Starting point is 06:28:36 It begins at the roots of things, prepares the soil, drops the seed, tends and waters it, and says to it, Now grow, become an oak if you can, or an elm, or a fruit tree, anything that God intended you for. You are started. I have heard that argument urged against it, Caroline said, laughing and thinking of Jack Butler. Of course, there is nothing better for brainless people to urge against it. And there is nothing more foolish. Superficial indeed. Is an oak tree superficial, I wonder, because it started from an acorn? Chautauqua never pretended to give men and women finished educations. It only starts them or gives a vigorous push to those who are started.

Starting point is 06:29:22 Brains will do the rest. I like it too because it does start people. I mean it doesn't begin too high for men and women who had to work during the period of their boyhood and girlhood. I, for instance, who had to leave school when I was a boy of less than 15 and earn my living from day to day, found that I could come come here and have my bits of knowledge gleaned from various sources, spread out for me until I could see what I really did know, and then push on.

Starting point is 06:29:53 I'm a mechanic, a builder, he said, dropping suddenly into quieter tone. A bit of an enthusiast on that subject, too, I suspect, as you will surely conclude I am about Chautauqua. Is this your house, Fenton? Why, I designed this. It is one of my pet houses. Caroline laughed again over her own thoughts. She remembered the corner cupboards.

Starting point is 06:30:18 She wondered if his wife had planned them. I am not sure that I can explain to you in what a happy mood she went to her neat kitchen and looked after the sponge for her next morning's baking. The evening had been such a pleasant one to her. The change was so great and so restful, this quiet woods and lovely lake and the gleaming many-pillared building, and the new acquaintance who had started a conversation

Starting point is 06:30:43 simply from a platform of good sense, and given her so much information and inspiration. That, after all, was the key to her happy feelings. She had added to her stock of valuables. She knew just so much more than she did an hour before. Certain names which she had met in her reading, and wistfully peered at as strangers, were known to her now. When she heard her, heard them again, she would be sure what they meant. Robert, she said a little later, as Robert, having found an introduced young ward to his new acquaintance, wandered out to the kitchen in search of companionship. What did you mean tonight by the Pinnix? Isn't that the name you called it? Yes, said Robert, eager to impart information. Why, you know the Pinnix. It wasn't more than a

Starting point is 06:31:35 quarter of a mile from the Acropolis. It was a semi-circle and had a platform carved out of the rocks. More than 6,000 people could be seated there, and it was there they used to have the great speeches. You wait until you see the amphitheater, and you will understand it. I understand now, said Caroline. Thank you. And she added the pinnicks to her little store of wealth. She had reached the stage where each new item of information could be labeled as so much added property. End of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibervok's recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 06:32:23 Gifts differing I really don't know, but that girl's coming to Chautauqua just counts as a waste of so many more muslin dresses and kid boots and fancy neckties. I don't believe she has secured a single idea since she has been here. And, what is worse, I'm afraid the ideas are set too high for her to reach, especially as she has no notion of trying. This was Mrs. Fenton's grim sentence as she stood on the South Piazza one morning and watched pretty Amy Allison step daintily over the dewy grass, skillfully raising her fresh lawn to shield it from a baptism of dew.

Starting point is 06:33:02 She made as pretty a picture on the exquisite landscape of the summer morning as one need care to see. Yet Mrs. Fenton's face was grim as she watched her. Truth to tell, that motherly woman founded a difficult task to mother the pretty butterfly. She flitted so airily and carelessly from flower to flower in the Chautauqua bed, and so sweetly refused to do anything but flit and flutter, that the earnest woman knew not what to do with her. her. Chautauqua ought to help her, yet how could it help the hummingbirds that hovered over the vine-wreathed window? Miss Amy seemed to have about the stability of the hummingbird.

Starting point is 06:33:45 There was another trouble if she had owned it to her own heart. Half of the gloom on the matron's face this morning, as she watched the pretty girl, was owing to the fact that her special protege, James Ward, went far too often over the lawns and down the avenues by the sight of this fair butterfly. At least so Mrs. Fenton thought, why would not James see that now was his opportunity for cultivating other society than this brainless girls? Good, earnest girls all about him. He met them every day and had opportunities enough to form acquaintances not only, but friendships such as would help him. Why couldn't he realize and appreciate his opportunities? Instead, he seemed to like nothing so well as the taking of morning walks with this giddy, brainless girl.

Starting point is 06:34:38 Such was the severe name which Mrs. Fenton gave her on this summer morning, as she watched her step carefully over the underbrush from a recently hewn tree, James Ward, meantime, carrying her parasol and her fan and her camp chair, as though he had nothing else in life to think of. What can such a pretty little piece of pink and white flesh get out of the intellectual table spread here? I don't like her influence over James. He is just at the age to be fascinated with a pretty face

Starting point is 06:35:09 without regard to brains. Caroline, why don't you help me growl? You don't seem to need help in that direction, laughed Caroline as she came through the room with a regiment of fresh towels in her arms, which she was prepared to distribute. Besides, I think you are rather hard on poor Amy. She may secure an idea or two in spite of her pretty muslins.

Starting point is 06:35:34 I don't believe it, was Mrs. Fenton's still grim response? But Mrs. Fenton was mistaken. At that very moment, the pretty Amy paused in the midst of a sentence that was interesting to James Ward, and stood on tiptoe to catch a glimpse of something within a large, airy room in the children's temple. It was a pretty sight. The room was cheerful looking, was comfortably seated, was decorated on one side with innumerable bright-colored somethings, was filled with a pretty buzz of life. Girls like herself, many of them young and pretty, seated before tables, with here and there a young gentleman, seeming like themselves merrily absorbed in some work.

Starting point is 06:36:18 What in the world are they all doing? questioned Amy, stretching her neck for a better view. They have pieces of bright silks, red and blue and all colors. No, they are not silks. I declare, I believe they are paper. What can they be doing? How pleasant it looks in there. Do you suppose we could go in?

Starting point is 06:36:40 Why certainly, her companion said with alacrity. Our tickets admit us to whatever is taking place on these grounds. And being in the mood just then to do whatever his fair companion suggested, whether it was to climb a tree or join a Latin class, he immediately led the way to the side door, which stood invitingly open, and they were promptly shown to seats among the eager workers. Straightway, a watching assistant laid before them the bright-colored papers arranged in squares. What am I to do with these?

Starting point is 06:37:14 Whispered Amy, smiling and blushing, addressing her neighbor on the left, a serious-faced girl. Why, follow the motions of the leader, if you can. With a strong emphasis on the last three words, I can't. And she looked up at the newcomer. Her face was serious, but her eyes were laughing. She held in her hand, the rose-colored paper, partly folded in a curious shape. But what is it for? What are they trying to make?

Starting point is 06:37:45 I don't know. And hear her whole face laughed. This is a kindergarten you. see, and we are supposed to be taking lessons in paper folding. It looks simple enough until you undertake to do it, and then a problem in geometry is nothing to it. Still, by this time, the most of the workers had succeeded in finishing something, which they held up before each other's admiring eyes, a curious little bird's nest, looking intricate enough to have required hours of care and skill in the making, yet having been made almost in a second by the deft

Starting point is 06:38:20 fingers of Madame Krause-Bolte, the skilled leader. "'Isn't it pretty?' declared the admiring Amy. "'I wish I knew how to make it.' Whereupon she seized upon a square of pink paper that matched the ribbon at her throat, for the lady on the platform had taken one up and was evidently about to launch out into something new. How pretty Amy looked now! Her lips parted slightly in their eagerness to hear and to see and to do.

Starting point is 06:38:50 for small shapely fingers moving deftly, following the innumerable twists and turns, which the teacher suggested, until, with a little cry of triumph, she made the last fold and produced a star-shaped treasure that delighted her eyes. I see how to do it. I can make those. How pretty they are! They would make lovely trimming for paper baskets. Oh, can't you get it?

Starting point is 06:39:15 Let me show you. See, you made the wrong turn back here. This is the way. this to her companion on the left, and in a moment more she had reconstructed the blue paper star, and set it on the table in triumph. "'How quickly you learn,' said the owner, admiringly. "'Perhaps you understand kindergarten work?' "'No, indeed, but I wish I did. What pretty work it is! What are all these ladies learning for?'

Starting point is 06:39:42 "'Well, you see, they are teachers, some of them, and others want to be, and Mrs. Krause-Boltie is considered by many the finest kindergarten teacher in this country. It really is wonderful how skillful her little scholars become. All those lovely designs hanging over the blackboard were made, she says, by little fingers. Is it possible? said Amy. What fascinating work it must be to teach little children how to do all those things. Do you think so? laughed the other. I'm afraid I should never be able to do it.

Starting point is 06:40:19 I should have to be taught myself first, and that seems impossible. Look, what is she making now? I don't know what it is going to be, but I can do what she has just done, said Amy, seizing a fresh bit of paper and working with speed and skill. Lo, it proved to be a boat. Her own finished, she gave help to her neighbor, then to a lady in front of her, and finally, right and left from all around the table,

Starting point is 06:40:47 they reached forward their papers in various stages of unrepair and begged assistance. You are so skillful, said one and another, admiringly, and Amy, bright, pleased to be of a veil, and to exhibit a gift that was prized, smiled and bowed and worked with a will, eager and happy. The young lady in Buff is very skillful with her fingers, she should join the class, said in tones of admiring approval, the sweet voice and foreign accent of the teacher,

Starting point is 06:41:20 and Amy blushed and laughed, as all eyes were thus turned upon her. As for James Ward, he admired her exceedingly. He liked to see her shine, to have her discover to others how bright and quick and altogether admirable she was. As for Amy, she had never been so pleased with anything in her life, and I will not deny to you that her pleasure was greatly increased because she was presently called upon to extricate James Ward from a maze of confusion into which he fell in attempting to manipulate the bright papers. She blushed and laughed a great deal, but worked deftly at the same time, and quickly constructed for him a little boat. "'I don't see how you do it!' exclaimed she with a serious face and laughing eyes,

Starting point is 06:42:09 watching the fingers half enviously. I can't do anything with the little wretches. I think it is a great deal worse than Maravale. Oh, are you a CLSC? asked Amy, looking at her with a new interest, as one with whom she had several ideas in common. Oh, yes, I am in my second year. Are you a member? Whereupon Amy gave proud assent

Starting point is 06:42:34 and held her pretty head high and made boats, stars, and birds' nest with astonishing celerity, and felt literary and happy. You ought to join the class, the new friend said, watching the swift moving fingers. They make lovely things ever so many of them. I don't belong to the regular class because I am so unskilful it isn't worthwhile, but I come in occasionally to see what is going on

Starting point is 06:43:02 and secure ideas that I can adapt to the Sabbath teaching of the little ones. I'm a primary teacher. That is my forte if I have one. Are you also? Oh, no, said Amy quickly, and the flush on her face deepened. The idea of her being a teacher of any kind was embarrassing. I should think you ought to be. I am sure you are talented in that direction. It is such a fascinating work. The little ones are so bright and catch real deep, solid thoughts so quickly. My children are pretty good theologians.

Starting point is 06:43:38 though they never heard that word in their lives, I presume. I think they could talk about all the essential doctrines of the church in a way that would be plain to others. Do you try to teach such things to little children? asked Amy, much astonished, and wondering greatly what her new friend would say if she could know how impossible it would be for her to pass examination on theological doctrines.

Starting point is 06:44:03 I shouldn't think they would be able to comprehend such puzzling subjects. Oh, indeed, they have much better capabilities than is generally supposed. If they hadn't, do you suppose they could do all these puzzling things that I find so difficult to see into? Yesterday, Mrs. Boltey taught us the use of the cubes, and explained to us how skillful the little people were with the different forms in which the blocks can be arranged. I thought then that at least a kindergarten teacher would find no difficulty in understanding how readily little children grasp large subjects, if they are only presented to them in a childlike way. I get ever so much help here for my Sunday work. Not that I can bring the toys into the Sunday school,

Starting point is 06:44:49 of course, but I am constantly saying to myself, yes, that idea could be worked out on the blackboard in a sort of picture, and it would illustrate such a thing. You ought to study this subject. I can't help fancying you would make a grand primary teacher. Are you interested in little children? I don't know, said Amy thoughtfully. I have no little brothers and sisters, and I don't often come in contact with little people. Still, when I do, I enjoy them ever so much,

Starting point is 06:45:22 and I'm always stopping on the street to kiss the sweet babies and cunning toddlers whom I meet. Yes, I think on the whole I must be interested in children. I know you are, and I'm sure you would be just fascinated with a primary class. We get such good help here in that direction. Last year, Mrs. Seymour gave receptions every other day for our benefit, and we learned ever so many things. Did you come to take up any special line of study this year? I came for fun, said Amy, with a sudden sparkle in her eyes. A large party from our circle was coming, and I could come as well as not, so I did. I have never

Starting point is 06:46:03 been here before. Oh, then you are just the one to take up the kindergarten and primary work. I'm sure you will like to study in that line. It is a great deal more profitable to settle on a certain line of work to carry out here, and when once it is settled, you will be surprised to see how many lectures and talks and the like that are not on the subject you have chosen can still be made helpful in that direction. Look at this obstinate paper of mine. It will not bend in the right way. You have given it a wrong twist on that last fold, laughed Amy, and she reached forward nimble fingers and righted it. All this talk had not flowed on uninterruptedly, but had come in bits between the paper foldings and the words of the leader. During another pause in the sort of

Starting point is 06:46:52 familiar lecture on kindergarten work in general that was being given from the platform, Amy's new acquaintance found opportunity to say, there is one thing that makes a little bit of my work among the children fascinating and hopeful. They are so fresh and innocent, so childlike in their ways of dealing with truths. They find it so easy to trust, so natural a thing to pray. When they are taught that they may pray to Jesus about everything, they seem able to realize that it means just exactly that. Their faith is beautiful. I have a great many earnest little Christians in my class. I confidently expect to see them strong men and women in the church, if they live. Don't you like to work where you can see results? Pretty little Amy laughed,

Starting point is 06:47:40 not lightly. If it were not a strange use of language, I might almost say she laughed gravely. To be talked to about working anywhere, impressed her as a singular, almost an amusing, and yet with all a startling thought. She glanced over at James Ward. He was giving attention just then to what a new acquaintance was saying, and his face was grave, thoughtful. Amy could see that he knew how to be in earnest. There flashed over her an impression that one of these days this young man would know how to work in many ways, and there came to her a wistful feeling that she would like to be numbered among the workers. Don't you think little bits of people can be Christians? Question the young lady, watching the

Starting point is 06:48:30 shadow of thought grow on Amy's face and mistaking the cause. Oh, I don't know. I am not a proper person to judge. The truth is, I don't quite know what you are talking about. You see, I am not a Christian myself. By this time there was the little bustle of breaking up going on all over the room. The two-hour's lesson was concluded. There was little time for further conversation. Yet she with a serious face and eyes that had now grown gravely tender, had a last word to say. Oh, I am sorry to hear that. You have a very important question to settle first then. Won't you give it immediate thought and then consecrate yourself to the work of teaching little children? I cannot help thinking that you

Starting point is 06:49:17 have a marvelous talent undeveloped in that direction. She smiled brightly, held out her hand, and grasped the others cordially, then mingled with the crowd, and Amy, feeling a strange new sensation of companionship looked after her wistfully. Very few of the people who could have helped her had ever cultivated Amy. She turned toward the platform now, listening with eagerness to the after-meeting chat that was being enjoyed, wherein choice bits of kindergarten knowledge were being scattered. The leader recognized the pretty face as belonging to the skillful fingers and turned toward her. The child should be a teacher. She said kindly, should fit herself for service.

Starting point is 06:50:03 The good God has given her a talent that she ought to cultivate. This time Amy had much ado to keep back a rush of tears. There was something strangely sweet and tender to her in this being singled out as one who should occupy a place in the world of workers. There had been times in her life when this fair butterfly felt in her secret heart, a touch of sorrow, that she should be always and only, reckoned among the butterflies. She went home across the fields. It was well that all the morning dew had dried away, for she was reckless as to her fresh muslin, and let it trail over the

Starting point is 06:50:42 long grass, her hands full of bright-colored papers, her face full of pleasure, and her voice so triumphant as she told her story of acquired knowledge at the dinner-table, that the lady of the house at the head of the table, and the housekeeper at the foot, exchanged significant glances, the one saying almost as plainly as words could have done, is it possible that she is at last interested in something besides her ribbons and laces? And the other a sort of half-triumphant, I told you so. But neither of them knew, nor did Amy for that matter, how the serious-faced girl went home thinking about the bright new face and deft fingers, and coveted that soul to shine as a jewel in her crown.

Starting point is 06:51:29 End of chapter 20. Chapter 21 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Flats and Sharps It was curious to see how the different elements which composed the family in the Fenton Cottage gravitated towards their respective attractions. Individuality showed plainly here, perhaps in no one more plainly than an Irene Butler.

Starting point is 06:52:01 I think I have neglected to herald the arrival of the butler girls, sent thither by the unweed Jack, who declared Long Branch stupid and Saratoga insufferably hot, and avowed his determination to see what that camp meeting was like before he was a year older. Miss Irene was nothing loath. She had heard recently of so many things that were specialties at Chautauqua, it did not seem probable that high art would be ignored. She had not found just what she sought, it is true, and a blessed thing it was for her that she had not. But she had found a new absorption.

Starting point is 06:52:40 Not a day was she in the vicinity of the clay modeling department, before she became enamored of the work, joined the class, and was thenceforth to be seen, morning, noon, and night, with little vicious-looking lumps of clay in hand, padding and pinching into shape. And what shapes? mind, laughed Mrs. Fenton, when her husband was maliciously displaying an unfinished dog that Miss Irene had left on the window seat. I am rejoiced. I feel like writing her father a congratulatory letter. He will live to bless the day that Irene ever heard of Chautauqua. Bless your heart, clay is cheap, and ducks and cats and puppies can sit around on mantles and take up much less

Starting point is 06:53:24 space than one of her oil paintings. If you knew how the Butler Mansion groaned under its weight of paintings, you would rejoice with them over this respite in the shape of lumps of clay. But what a bore it must be to the teacher, protested Mr. Fenton. Think of his having to sit there hour after hour and watch this burlesque of his divine art. Don't you suppose Miss Irene's cats and puppies are positive trials to him? No, I don't suppose any such thing. He is a man of sense. He knows as well as you and I do, a great deal better, probably, that the men and women who come here to play with Clay are not geniuses, in that line at least. The majority of them,

Starting point is 06:54:09 I suppose, haven't even a streak of talent for modeling. Then what is the use in his spending his valuable time from day to day over a set of commonplace people who will never accomplish what they are trying for? Asked matter of fact, Mr. Fenton. They were sitting on one of the side piazzas in the cool of the day. Mr. Masters was one of the group. He was the first to answer Mr. Fenton's question. The grand thing about it is that here and there is one who touches the lump of clay in such a fashion that the artist's skilled eye detects genius.

Starting point is 06:54:46 There is a power that must be cultivated, he says to himself, and though the embryo-modelor doesn't know it, the eye of the teacher is on him or her during the entire class, directing, guiding, offering just such suggestions as shall help that one, and that one you and I will hear from in the future, Mr. Fenton. The night dismissed the bunglers and give my time exclusively to the genius, I believe, declared Mr. Fenton, laughing. And you would thereby defeat one of the pet schemes of the Chautauqua platform, that of discovering

Starting point is 06:55:22 to people their own power. Once let it be understood that none but geniuses would be admitted to the modeling classes and none would apply. Power in this line, as in every other line, lies dormant in many a brain, and you have to popularize a study, bring it in the form of almost play, before you will discover to the individuals what nerve in them responds to touch. Well, then, at best, all the rest of us, when we go in the to make clay sheep and puppies, are but another sort of clay for the teacher to manipulate for the benefit of his undiscovered genius. This was Mr. Fenton's merry reply, but a chorus of voices protested. It isn't possible to learn ever so little a thing about ever so obscure a study

Starting point is 06:56:13 without getting actual benefit therefrom, Mr. Masters said positively, and Caroline added that she believed she had demonstrated that in her own experience several times. "'Well, now,' persisted Mr. Fenton, "'prove your own theory. Take me for an illustration. I've been for two days puttering in there on a piece of clay, and I'd like to have you tell me what good it has done me.' "'Why, father!' exclaimed young Robert. "'I should think you could prove that for yourself.

Starting point is 06:56:45 Don't you know how you told the man yesterday about the sloping roof and the end window, and how pleased he was, and how you told me afterwards that you had never thought of that way of planning, until you were busy making your clay house? Amid the general laugh that followed at the father's expense, he tried to sustain his position by lamely hinting that it was the house-builder and not himself who reaped that benefit. Miss Effie's tastes were no less distinctly marked than her sisters. If the pretty Amy was fond of fresh muslins in bright ribbons and morning walks, what could be said of Effie Butler? As usual, she apparently lived and moved for the purpose of displaying fresh and elaborate

Starting point is 06:57:30 and altogether inappropriate toilets, and wandering through the more closely-peopled avenues, or going boating on the lake. And yet she had made not even a pretense of being interested in anything that had to do with the distinctive features of Chautauqua. I know why that lake was created, declared Mrs. Fenton, it was for the purpose of keeping Effie Butler out of other mischief, while the rest of us are busy with our work. Had she and Joseph Ward only been congenial spirits, they might have lounged through the world together to their mutual comfort. As yet, Joseph was as little interested in Chautauqua proper, as was Miss Effie herself, the main difference between them being that he lounged through the world in most under-exha-exha-reacted.

Starting point is 06:58:19 becoming attire, and with startling disregard to the finer properties of life, while with Miss Effie, every separate attitude of negligence and ennui seemed to have its appropriate costume in grace. During these days, James Ward was undeniably restless, happy by spasms that were apt to leave him with a restlessness upon him that amounted at times almost to irritability. Certain questions of grave import were pressing themselves upon him for settlement, and he seemed not ready to settle them. Paul Adams went as systematically about his work, as though he had months before this, determined on just what to do, and mapped out not only his present, but his future. He worked hard at the new buildings which were springing up as if by magic, and he worked harder, if possible,

Starting point is 06:59:13 over his book. He had bought two hours of time, out of the new buildings, which were springing up as if by magic, and he worked harder, out of the midst of the day from Mr. Tucker, that gentleman it must be admitted, showing an unusual willingness to grant such a favor, and watching with curious eyes to see what would be done with the extra time. Others were no less astonished than he with the disposal that was made of it.

Starting point is 06:59:36 Joseph Ward chuckled over it at intervals during one entire evening. What do you suppose he has done now? He said, beginning to his brother the talk about Paul, as though there were no other person to bestow that pronoun upon. That James understood to whom he referred was evident by the half-impatient movement with which he threw aside the book he was reading and said,

Starting point is 07:00:01 I'm sure I don't know, how should I? Well, sir, he has joined the class beginning Latin, pitched into it exactly as he did into Rome, means to drive right through the book. I never saw such a queer fellow since I was born. What does he want with Latin? I asked him if he expected to be a college professor like Dr. Monteth, and he stopped his everlasting saw and stared at me as if I had given him another idea, and said, Well, who knows, I'm sure I don't. It's a chance, you see, and it came right to me without any looking of mine.

Starting point is 07:00:39 Dr. Monteth gave me a ticket, just to be kind, I guess. Jack Butler said he might better have given me a boarding-house ticket, I don't agree with him there," says Paul, because I can earn my own board. But I made up my mind to go in and learn all the Latin I could this summer, just to show the doctor that I was grateful, you know. I can't tell what I may want to do with it. It won't do me any harm." So added he goes like a madman. Did you ever see a fellow act like him?"

Starting point is 07:01:11 No, said James Tustily, but I wish I could see a few. Meantime, he, James, attended lectures steadily, seeming to choose them by accident instead of design, seeming to have no settled purpose other than could be said to fill Caroline's life, that of picking up from every available source whatever she could. As for Robert Fenton, his mother laughingly called him the assistant superintendent of instruction. So eager was he over every branch of study or entertainment offered on the, the grounds. I do not know that young Robert will ever be aware of the fact that he was the first originator of the Centerville branch of the CLSC, but certain it was that he steadily

Starting point is 07:01:58 did what he could to bring it into prominence. His eager face and earnest eyes and keen questions were known already to many habituays of the grounds, and more than one in authority had singled him out as one of whom Chautauqua would one day be proud. As for his mother, she was already almost proud enough of him and so grateful to him for opening this wonderful avenue of culture, not only to her but to his father, that she could not, day or night, forget her joy. Yet there was at this time creeping over her heart a shadow of anxiety for this same Robert. While they sat on the piazza during this summer evening of which I write, discussing the value of the clay modeling department, there occurred a diversion. Some one of the many neighbors who lived in tents near the fentons was indulging in a private musical rehearsal, striking solitary notes on the organ, prolonging the sound until it faded into distance and silence. That is a very sweet-toned instrument for a small one.

Starting point is 07:03:07 said Mr. Masters, arrested as he always was, by the first breath of music. I wonder whose make it is. I wonder who is making the music and is so fond of E-flat, said young Robert. He or she keeps running back to that. No, there comes F-sharp. Now she has jumped to A-flat. Whereupon Mr. Masters turned toward him with wondering eyes. How do you know?

Starting point is 07:03:35 He questioned, great astonishment in his, voice. How do I know? Why, by my ears, can't I hear? There she goes back to E-flat again. That is a pretty tone. She must be trying cords. There's Upper C. That's too sharp, my friend, for a quiet night like this. Robert, said Mr. Masters, wheeling his chair in front of that young man. Do you mean to tell me that you distinguish these notes by name as they are struck at random? Why, of Of course I do, why shouldn't I? If you were in the other tent there yelling A at the top of your lungs, would I have any trouble in knowing that you said A instead of B or some other letter?

Starting point is 07:04:19 And you can tell musical notes as readily as you can letters of the alphabet? Why not? They have a sound of their own, as much as the letters of the alphabet have. After I have learned them, why shouldn't I be able to tell them? I can't, said Mrs. Fenton. Mrs. Fenton, and I am quite familiar with the scale, or used to be when I was a girl. Oh, well, Mother, you have never learned. If there was a fellow in there going through with the Chinese alphabet, I shouldn't be able to tell one sound from another, because I don't know the sounds.

Starting point is 07:04:54 After you learn them, of course you can tell them. How long have you been able to do this, Robert? It was still Mr. Masters' voice questioning, and he was evidently very much roused and in earnest. Ever since I learned how, of course, laughed Robert. I was bewitched with it for a few days, couldn't let the notes alone. Every time I passed the children's temple when it was vacant, and sometimes when it wasn't, I went in and practiced, shut my eyes, you know, and touched the keys, and then opened them,

Starting point is 07:05:29 and found out whether my thought of the sound was right. Then there is a fellow as interested in it as I am, young Brown, You know him, Father. He found out I was practicing, and we tried it together, went off in the woods and yelled ourselves whores. But we have got, so now we can tell with our eyes shut and our ears too almost. Why, Mr. Masters, is there anything strange about it? Rather strange, I should say.

Starting point is 07:05:57 How long have you been taking lessons, Robert? Why, ever since we came, I began the first morning, and I haven't missed a lesson. Do you mean that you never took music lessons before? Not a lesson, unless what I've taken of the birds in the woods can be counted in. They are rare little chaps to teach music, I think. Mr. Masters turned toward Caroline a puzzled face. Doesn't that strike you as extraordinary? he asked. Just what are you referring to?

Starting point is 07:06:30 Why, this young man's ability to tell off the notes in that fashion as they are touched. She shook her head, smiling. I didn't know it was an unusual thing. I think I can do it, though perhaps not so correctly always as Robert. Isn't that F. Sharp, Robert? She asked, turning to him as the practicing in the tent continued. Yes, um, said Robert, without an instant of hesitation. I shouldn't wonder if someone was practicing on that very thing.

Starting point is 07:07:02 Professor Seward wants us to give a good deal of attention to it. This is some of his class at work I'll venture. Mr. Master's bewildered look in no sense changed. Do you read music? he asked of Caroline. Why, no, I suppose not, she answered, laughing. That is, I am learning. Like Robert, I took my first lesson the day after we reached here. I like it.

Starting point is 07:07:29 There is a perfect fascination about the system to me. I went to singing school a few times when I was a young girl, but I fell into a perfect slew of despond over what they called the transposition of the scale. It seemed as intricate and as hopeless as Latin looked to me then, and I fell into the idea that a special gift was required to know what they were talking about, so I turned back in despair. "'Caroline,' said Mrs. Fenton, "'I am astonished. I didn't know you ever gave up anything.'

Starting point is 07:08:03 "'I don't think I am very fond of giving a thing up. after I once undertake it. But, as I tell you, that awful transposition of the scale was too much for my faith. Yes, said Robert, with a burst of laughter. I asked a fellow in the graduating music class once to tell me what it was, and you never heard anything like the bungling, bewildering lingo he got off. I haven't the least idea that he knew what he meant, but I have discovered what it means, and that Professor Seward is Professor Seward still if he does climb a chair, whereupon both he and Caroline indulged in a hearty burst of laughter, and the rest looked mystified.

Starting point is 07:08:47 "'What are you talking about?' asked his mother. "'Why, mother, if you understood music, I could explain. There is some awful jargon about steps and half-steps and chromatic tones, and, oh, I don't know what, regular Greek, you know. Just as you got a lot of notes learned, fixed in one place, off they went and changed their names and their places of residence thirteen different times. A fellow would have to make up his mind to give a lifetime to get acquainted with them.

Starting point is 07:09:19 Well, Professor Seward told us how he illustrated to the children in Boston the change of key. He said to them, Children, who am I? What is my name? They piped out, of course, that he was Mr. Seward, and they giggled over it ever so much you may be sure. Then he mounted a chair and he said, Well, children, who am I now?

Starting point is 07:09:41 Why, you're Mr. Seaword, they chuckled. What, am I Mr. Seward still? But I am ever so much higher than I was before. But they insisted on it that he was Mr. Seward anyhow, high or low. Very well, he said, here is Doe, but I want this tune to be sung higher than our last. was. Suppose I put this note up here. What is it now? And of course the bright little things understood that it was dough still, and they had transposed the scale. A lightning flash of

Starting point is 07:10:15 intelligence passed over Mr. Master's face. This is all very extraordinary to me, he said earnestly. I haven't looked into the tonic sulfa system. In fact, I may as well admit that I rather obstinately refused to look into it. I said the old system was good enough, couldn't be improved, but I've read music at sight pretty respectably for years. I can sing rather difficult music with a little study, but I can't distinguish isolated notes when I hear them, and give them their proper names. Professor Seward says, declared young Robert, with eagerness, that half the musical people in the country are no better off, and they always seem to him as queer as though he should ask a man what a certain word was in a sentence, and he should say,

Starting point is 07:11:05 "'Excuse me, I can read the sentence, but I don't know the individual words.' The evening bell, peeling out at the moment, interrupted this conversation, and suddenly dispersed the talkers. End of Chapter 21. The Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. It's in the atmosphere. In one of the pauses between the many meetings that mark a Chautauqua Sabbath, just as the twilight was falling softly on Hill and Grove, the pretty Amy, in her fairest of muslin creations, went out for a restful walk along the lake shore, James Ward at her side. This last item marks a

Starting point is 07:11:57 continued affliction to Mrs. Fenton. She had laid many plans to keep James more under her influence and lessened sympathy with Amy. As yet, these plans were failures. The Sabbath evening walk was a disappointment to Caroline. She, too, gave much thought to James Ward. She believed that he was near certain decisions that would influence all his future. The thought that disturbed her was, what attention was he giving to the most momentous of all questions? How much was Chautauqua going to help him in this matter? Oh, Amy, where are you going? She had called after the girl, with a vain hope of recalling her

Starting point is 07:12:39 and holding her companion from this frivolous influence. He had been grave during most of the day. Only for a little walk by the lake, it is so lovely there. Amy had returned sweetly. She had long since given over the folly of refusing to recognize Caroline as among her friends. To rest her brain after the heavy strain there has been on it all day, said Mrs. Fenton with a curling lip. She was losing all patience with Amy. True, the child had become absorbed in kindergarten work and was very skillful, but what did Mrs. Fenton care for this, so long as she constantly beguiled her

Starting point is 07:13:19 protege into tete-a-tete-tete walks, and so filled his mind that he could come to no-resolute position regarding anything. Caroline did not respond with her usual happy laugh. She, too, looked grave and troubled. Mr. Masters had stopped on his way to his tent with a book for Robert. He sat down now on the lower step of the piazza, where Caroline was, and said inquiringly, Anything going very wrong in your world, Miss Raynor? Your face looks worn with responsibility. I'm trying to carry responsibilities that I don't know how to manage, she said, smiling a little. It is a special fault of mine.

Starting point is 07:14:00 We are most of us good at that, I suspect, shouldering burdens not meant for us to carry. Is that what you mean? I don't know, she said with a troubled face. How far ought we to reach after responsibilities? I think I am a little discouraged tonight. There are certain of our party in whom I have a peculiar interest. That young man who has just passed out of sight is one, and our Robert is another. Sometimes I am afraid that they are not going to get at Chautauqua what I specially desired for them.

Starting point is 07:14:33 Indeed, there are hours when I see hindrances instead of help growing out of this visit here. For what sort of help are you hoping? Oh, the highest that can be had, of course. And as I said, I see hindrances. The very lavishness with which other attractions are presented tends, perhaps, to ward away the mind from matters of higher importance. He shook his head. False idea, he said emphatically. Proves too much, you see. If we abuse advantages, we may turn them into hindrances, it is true, but that is not a necessity of the advantages. There is nothing in the beauty spread around us with such a lavish hand that should lead the honest soul to forget God. What is your special anxiety concerning Robert? Why? said Caroline, glancing in his mother's direction and lowering her voice. I am afraid he is being led astray.

Starting point is 07:15:31 You know what an eager, quick-brained young fellow he is, so ready to catch ideas and so anxious to learn? Well, his father and mother are not Christians, and he has not that safeguard, and just now he is deeply interested, indeed I may say fascinated, with young Mr. Monteth. You know him? Mr. Masters bowed assent. Then you know just how fascinating he can be if he chooses to a boy like our Robert. He takes Robert with him out boating and fishing and rambling through these woods, and chats with him by the hour. Mr. Masters, do you know how dangerous a companion he can be

Starting point is 07:16:10 to a young boy if he chooses?" Just in what way do you mean, intentionally? Perhaps not so much as heedlessly, to give himself the pleasure of seeing how quick-witted a boy can be, or how well he can explain abstract falsehoods. He insinuates, rather than plainly speaks false ideas, doubts, apparent absurdities of old standard theological doctrines, puts questions that are easy enough to ask, but quite difficult for a boy to answer, and, in short, without really intending to do so, unsettles the faith in which Robert was reared. And he is so fascinating in his manner, you know, and so exceedingly well-informed.

Starting point is 07:16:53 He can tell just the thing that a boy like Robert is keenest to hear, and astonish him so much with his great wisdom, that I do not think it's strange that Robert should speedily acquire a habit of quoting him on all occasions, and grow into believing that what he thinks is true, and what he discards false. An excellent argument in favor of the widest culture, her companion said, regarding her with a meaning smile. To present solid foundation truths of science and art and theology in the most fascinating style is exactly what Chautauqua aims at.

Starting point is 07:17:29 Oh, I know, she said an eager assent, but Chautauqua presents foundation truths in an attractive manner. I am talking about one who presents false, falsehoods in an attractive manner. Give the boy a few years of such lectures, lessons, conversations, etc., as Chautauqua affords, and he will be proof against such a pretty glossing over of the false. That may be, but in the meantime,

Starting point is 07:17:55 he is not proof against it today. In the meantime, we must unite our forces and meet error with truth as wisely and fascinatingly as we may be able able, and surround him with such a circle of prayer as his soul may not be able to escape from. I wish he had a praying mother. What about Young Ward? The shadow on Caroline's face deepened rather than lifted. Oh, James, she said, tries my patience greatly. It is not that I fear for his moral or intellectual progress now. I believe him to be fairly started. I think he will, without doubt, be a scholar and an efficient worker in some branch of honorable industry.

Starting point is 07:18:39 But what I fear greatly is that he will fritter away the leisure in which he might attend to the all-important question until he suddenly wakens a man of the world, with a man's burdens to bear, and with an idea that there is no time for such questions. That is what Satan seems to succeed in putting into the minds of most busy men, the impression that there is no time for the most important interest of all. I know that James is troubled.

Starting point is 07:19:06 I know that Dr. Monteth is anxious for him, thinks about and prays about him a great deal. I know that he has said some earnest words that James finds it difficult to ignore, and I think you have stirred his conscience more than once. Yet here he persistently takes these quiet hours that he might have in which to settle the great matter and fritters them away on that pretty young girl

Starting point is 07:19:30 who will laugh and chat with him as aimlessly as a bird might in bird language, and forget him as readily. How would it do to try to influence him through the young lady? In other words, set our whole battery of influence and effort in her direction, looking to her to attract him in the same line. Oh, Amy! And Caroline shrugged her shoulders in a manner worthy of Mrs. Chester herself, her tone not only hopeless, but almost scornful.

Starting point is 07:20:00 There is not enough to that poor child to influence anybody, much less a person of strong will such as James has. Mr. Masters laughed. It was so evident that Caroline was strongly prejudiced in favor of James and against the pretty Amy. She seems to have sufficient influence just at present to be a source of anxiety to his friends, he said significantly. "'Anything will do to create a diversion,' said Caroline wearily. "'I am so disappointed in regard to that young man. I expected almost nothing for his brother, but I had great hope for him. You are speaking in the past tense. Do you mean that he is in your feeling beyond hope? No, not that, still speaking wearily as one discouraged, but nothing works quite as I plan it.

Starting point is 07:20:54 Ah, that is bad for planners. It is better to give over planning the side that your arm is too weak to reach and learn to trust. Meantime, all unconscious of this discouraged tone concerning them, Young Ward and his fair companion pursued their somewhat aimless walk among the trees, winding in and out of avenues, according as the shade or beauty lured them. They came presently upon the amphitheater, with its bewildering rows of seats stretching up and up the hillside. The path from which they emerged was on a level with the great platform,

Starting point is 07:21:29 and thither they went, stopping together in front of the desk. How big it is, said Amy impressively, looking back and back over the intervening space to the last line of seats away on the hilltop. Why did they make so immense a place? Didn't it give you a sense of loneliness this morning? So much worse than empty seats at home. There were so many of them stretching all the way up those queer aisles.

Starting point is 07:21:57 Do you think there will ever compete? enough here to make this place look filled up?" Extremely doubtful, quoth James Ward, looking ahead and around him with the eye of a prophet. They had two large ideas, I think, when they laid this whole thing out. The children's temple is about the right size, holding a fine audience and handsomely filled every evening. But they must have had more faith in the future growth of the enterprise than I have when they built the amphitheater and laid out the auditorium. them. People don't rush to such places in the wholesale way in which they seem to have expected.

Starting point is 07:22:35 People ought to come, said Amy with a touch of energy and a sort of wistful look in her blue eyes. I wish they would. I wish all Centerville were here and everybody whom I know or have to talk with. Her companion laughed slightly, looking at her curiously. Just why do you wish that? Oh, I don't know. with a little nervous movement, as of one unused to analyzing and explaining her own feelings. It makes me feel different from any other place I was ever in. All the people seem different, seem in earnest. They act as though they had something to do and liked to do it,

Starting point is 07:23:15 and it makes living seem nicer some way, more important. I don't know how to express it. She had expressed it better than she knew. The young man understood her. It was the stirring of the immortal soul within her. Contact with earnest life and high-toned culture at Chautauqua had awakened her. The immortality, so long prisoned and deadened, was fluttering. She would not be satisfied with life as she had been.

Starting point is 07:23:44 Young Ward realized it with a queer mixture of satisfaction and pain. How far would this new impulse lead her? If he advanced, as he believed himself capable of doing, would he have to leave her in the background? On the contrary, if he stood still or floated along, just making effort enough to keep the rest in sight, would she someday lift her wings and soar out of his sight? What was Chautauqua going to do for her anyway? And also, what was it going to do for him? She went on, presently, in the same tone of suppressed eagerness. The meeting here this morning made me feel so.

Starting point is 07:24:25 were so many grand-looking men on the platform, and they said such great things. They seemed miles away from us, from me, and I almost didn't like it. I wanted to get ahead and be nearer them. I never thought about missionary work before. It never seemed to me it would make much difference, whether the heathen learned anything or not. But it didn't seem so this morning while I listened to that missionary sermon. I felt as though I should like to be in that work, too.

Starting point is 07:24:54 I am not fit, of course. But I just wanted to be counted in everywhere, to know about things and understand grand men when they talk together, as those men did after the meeting. I don't think I feel contented with life as it has been. I'm getting discontented with people, too. I used to enjoy walking and chatting with Ollie Chester so much. Every year, when she went away to Long Branch or somewhere, I used to look forward to receiving her letters, and I thought they were so much. splendid. And when she came home, she had so many things to tell me. Yesterday I received a letter from her, and I don't know what was the matter with it. It just seemed to me too silly for anything. Whole pages of it I skipped. I don't like to think of going home and hearing her talk

Starting point is 07:25:43 all the nonsense that she will. How fast little Amy's wings were growing! Young Ward looked down at her with a fancy that in a new and altogether unexpected sense, he would need soon to look up to her. It is in the atmosphere, he said, with a short laugh that was meant to have a note of sarcasm in it. She did not detect it. I think it is, she said earnestly. At least I never felt in this way before, and I have been to a great many places. The people seem so unlike those to whom I have been accustomed. As I told you, they seem a way.

Starting point is 07:26:21 way up. This morning I wished that I was a faded old woman and had been a missionary to somewhere for forty years. My, ejaculated James Ward. Well, I did. It was silly, too, and I know it, but I did want to be counted in, to feel as though it was worthwhile to take up room in the world. They went on now, walking down the long platform, out at the little gate, down the hill into the valley below, on through the winding avenues, bending their course toward the lake, but they came out presently in line with the long stretch of seats under the great trees that marked the auditorium. This platform, too, they mounted, and looked back and back up the hill. It is so big, said Amy again, with the same sense of suppressed energy in her tone.

Starting point is 07:27:14 Too big, said James Ward, and he spoke testily. The silly world will never fill it. They would rather go to Long Branch or somewhere where brains are not a consideration. Perhaps they are wise. I don't feel sure, but they are. What is the use in bothering one's brains about all these things? Why not take life easily?

Starting point is 07:27:36 Have as good a time as you can and let the rest go. Knowledge of all kinds just increases one's responsibilities. Makes life harder, and it is hard enough for most people at best. Yes, she said with exceeding gravity. I thought that, too. I have thought of so many things since I came to Chautauqua. And yet, I don't know. Haven't we just as much responsibility as we can manage anyhow?

Starting point is 07:28:03 And aren't all these things just so many helps to carry on the work with? Oh, I don't know. You say yourself that you never thought of these things before, never realized any responsibilities until you came here where everybody one meets is so wide away. Why wasn't the other life the pleasanter?" "'I don't believe I can explain it,' she said doubtfully. "'But I think that the work was there for me, even though I didn't see it, just as that path up the hill would be there all the same if I shut my eyes ever so tight.'

Starting point is 07:28:38 Now he looked upon her in undisguised admiration. She was a logician, though she didn't know it. She arose suddenly from one of the chairs on the stand and ran down the steps. I will take a seat in the audience, she said, and you may be the speaker. It is Sunday, so you must preach a sermon or deliver a missionary address or something of that sort. I have a fancy that you may someday be one of the speakers here when this place is all filled up with people, perhaps, so you may as well practice on me. What an utterly wild idea, worthy of Paul Adams!

Starting point is 07:29:15 He said with flushing face, yet he liked it. He felt the blood tingling to his finger's ends with the thought of the power that might be in him and that possibly might someday be drawn out. It isn't wild at all, she said with pretty obstinacy. It is one of the most sensible ideas I have, and I really expect it. But he would make no demonstration for his small audience that day,

Starting point is 07:29:42 so presently they strolled away again, still moving toward the lake. His fair-faced companion had been quiet and serious for several minutes. Then she spoke, exactly as though the subject left in the background some time ago, was still present with the thoughts of both. You know, Mr. Ward! It was one of this girl's rare, and to James Ward fascinating ways, this persisting in addressing him as Mr. Ward,

Starting point is 07:30:09 though according to the free and easy customs which obtain an ordinary American society, she was on sufficiently familiar terms to say James. You know, Mr. Ward, that this life is only a little piece of the circle about which we heard this morning. A circle has no end, you see, and if it is true that we are only getting ready here to live afterwards, don't you think it may be a great difference with our work there, what we do toward getting ready here?

Starting point is 07:30:38 He gave her another of those surprised looks. You didn't get that thought from the missionary story, sermon this morning? Yes, I did, not in just so many words, but it was all through the sermon. I don't belong to that kingdom which is going to increase so fast, and which is gathering in from all nations, but I wish I did. I do truly wish I did, and was helping it on. I think it will make a great difference with my future, how soon I commence my work, as well as what kind of work I take. One of those missionary speakers this afternoon said something that I will remember. Death doesn't interrupt some people's work, he said. They have been working for the dear

Starting point is 07:31:21 Lord for years, and when they get into his presence, they can go right on. I've thought about that ever since. It is a foolish feeling, I suppose, but I cannot help thinking that the only thing I could go on with, if I were in heaven, suppose I could get there right now, would be to fold those bright-colored papers. It is really the only work I ever did in my life with a feeling behind it that perhaps sometime, if I learned how, I would like to try to use it to help little children, and while teaching them about the papers, I would try to teach them about the way to heaven. But I should have to learn the way, you see, before I could do it, and that I haven't learned. Her voice was very low, very full of feeling. It would have been impossible for even Jack Butler,

Starting point is 07:32:09 to have sneered at the tremulous tones. James Ward felt not the slightest inclination to sneer. Instead, he was strangely moved. Not all the earnest words that had been spoken to him, from many sources seemed to have the power over him that lay in this low, timid voice. They walked on and on,

Starting point is 07:32:29 unmindful of the lake spreading like a sea of glass before them, unmindful of the quiet plains of the Holy Land, through which their feet were treading. They wound around Palestine Avenue, walked on toward the south, thence onward to Lake Avenue, and finally, just as many stars were gathering in the evening sky, came out in view of the gleaming pillars of the Hall of Philosophy. All quiet there, the sunset meeting which had been held in that white still place, was closed some time since, and their feet, as they stepped on the floor, resounded through the vacant hall.

Starting point is 07:33:06 It is lovely here, said Amy. I like this building. I can't tell why. I feel all full of little thrills when I come down here and sit and look around. Sometimes I have sat here. You didn't know I ever came alone, did you? I came early, oh, real early this very morning, just as the sun was getting ready to rise. It was so beautiful here. Still and grand and solemn. I had silly fancies, yet I liked them, as if the trees all about were full of spirits whispering, looking at me, poor little me, and wondering and watching what I would do, planning perhaps what people would say here in this hall to help me. You needn't laugh, I'm of a great deal of importance. Don't you know that man in his morning prayer on the platform said that one human soul was going to live long enough

Starting point is 07:33:58 to be worth more than all the wealth of a million worlds like ours? I never felt less like laughing in my life, said James Ward solemnly. Doesn't it make you want to laugh at me? Then I'll tell you the rest. I thought, what if the air all around us were full of spirits planning for us all, for a great many more than us, planning wonderful things, just carrying on their work, you know, doing what God has given them, having been told so much more about us

Starting point is 07:34:28 than we know about ourselves, that they can see ahead and know who will stand over there tomorrow, and what he will say and what that will do for you or for me, and what we will do in consequence, and what others will do because of us, and then on and on. Oh, do you see what I mean? It makes me dizzy, and I never had such feelings before. It's in the atmosphere, said James Ward, and his face was without a sneer.

Starting point is 07:34:58 Still, said Amy timidly, I don't half like any of it. These feelings will not last. I shall go home, and Ali will come home, and she will come to see me, and we will walk and talk and be just as silly as ever. I don't like any of it. I wish I had somebody to help me. Nothing had ever gone to James Ward's heart like that pitiful little cry for help. He was intended by nature to be a strong-willed, self-reliant man. It was part of his fight with himself during these days that his proud nature struggled against the sense of need of help from a stronger one than himself. He desired to be sufficient to his own needs, and he knew that he was not, and it chafed him. Now here was one who shrank from self-reliance, who longed for needed help and looked for it, called pitifully after it. If, indeed, he should settle this question for himself, how easily he could lead her with him! What a simple thing it would be

Starting point is 07:36:01 to smooth the path for her feet, and he should like the work. His manhood asserted itself, it was man's business to reach after and aid those who were weaker. It was not beneath any man's dignity to seek his own aid from God. Suddenly the question which he had thought so far from being settled resolved itself into clearness before him. The war which he had waged with his fierce nature for so many days was over, and once more, all unwittingly, had Amy Allison's shy little voice come in to break an evil spell.

Starting point is 07:36:37 "'Amy,' he said, "'it was the first time he had ever called her by that familiar name. "'I will tell you just what you and I both need. "'I have known it for several days and have struggled against it. "'We need the power of God to help us. "'We need to belong to his kingdom. "'I have been thinking about this matter ever since that evening on the book, When Dr. Bonteith asked me how many important questions I was going to settle at Chautauqua, and what my conscience put first in importance.

Starting point is 07:37:08 The fact is, Amy, my mother made plain to me in my childhood before she died, what was the most important question in life, but I have never felt willing to settle it until tonight. Shall we go together, Amy? Shall we kneel down under this roof, with the stars looking in on us, and give ourselves to God in an everlasting cover? covenant? Yes, said Amy, simply and quietly, and together they knelt on the floor of the Hall of Philosophy. Oh, White-pillared Hall, devoted to Christian progress as you are, dedicated, not to the

Starting point is 07:37:43 unknown, but to the true God, who is the recognized center of every Chautauqua Circle, many an honored name in the world of Christian culture shall, in future years, love to look back to, and do you honor, as the spot where grand resolves were taken and needed help secured. Yet never in the history of the yet unwritten years shall a fairer, holier, grander scene be given to your story than that in which those two, in early manhood and womanhood, bowed in that consecrated spot and pledged themselves henceforth and forever to be the lords. The missionary meeting held in the amphitheater was well underway when a slight rustling near one of the side entrances proclaimed some tardy arrivals, and those who were sufficiently disturbed or sufficiently heedless to look around saw two young people slip quietly into a vacant seat.

Starting point is 07:38:40 Two silly young things who have been out walking, said a grave-faced woman to herself. What a pity they could not find a better way in which to spend Sabbath evening! That is one of the drawbacks to Chautauqua. It lets down the bars and gives young people a chance to do unwise things. I am afraid that young man is not advancing, said Dr. Monteth with a sigh, and he leaned his head on his hand and forgot to listen to the sermon while he tried to plan ways of reaching James Ward. I wonder if there is really any hope of trying to influence that pretty little simpleton,

Starting point is 07:39:17 murmured Caroline, as with disapproving eyes, she watched the two late ones slip into seats. I wonder if I ought to try. It seems so hopeless. Then she sighed. Strike all your harps in glory! Called to one another, the watching angels. The ringing call went up and down and across the celestial fields. Strike the golden harps. Two more from among the children of men are redeemed. And the missionary sermon went on, and the thoughts of a few heart-troubled ones went on, and, all unknown to them, the song went on in heaven. We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art and wast an art to come, because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Starting point is 07:40:07 End of Chapter 23 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. wonderful meeting. All day long, throughout the streets and avenues of Chautauqua, there had been the bustle of preparation. The very air was full of something unusual. People went and came with important faces and hurried manner, as if now, indeed, the hour had arrived for which they had long been waiting. The Sunday School Assembly must be an important affair, Effie Butler said, laughing. Everybody one meets today is full of it. Who has heard the Chautauqua bells? Is there anything very wonderful about them?

Starting point is 07:40:57 I think I must have heard it remarked at least a dozen times today that they were going to ring tonight. It chanced that Mr. Masters was present when this question was asked. He had come in to see Robert Fenton about some scheme dear to that young fellow's heart, and now turned from him laughing. Yes, he said, they are wonderful bells. There are none like them, I think, in all this country. What is their peculiar about them?

Starting point is 07:41:26 Their power. They can be heard so far. I am not quite certain, but I think they sound now in every state of the union, and their volume is increasing all the time. Oh, Mr. Masters, how can that possibly be? And while the others could not help laughing at her puzzled face, she said with pretty indignation, I believe you are making sport of me. You needn't think I believe a story is that.

Starting point is 07:41:52 This was too much for Mr. Master's gravity, and he went away laughing, leaving the puzzled Effie wondering over what he could possibly mean, and the bustle of preparation went on. Boats came and went all day, landing their burdens quietly, with less parade and music than on other days, because in more haste. The evening drew on, the early teas in tent and cottage were disposed of, everywhere people were making ready to go to. to the opening of the assembly. When, just as clocks and watches, pointed to seven, the Chautauqua bells pealed forth on the quiet air, old Chautauquins, and indeed many new Chautauquins, who had heard their echo from afar, paused for a moment in their hurried preparations, and exchanged delighted glances, or clasped hands in token of their joy in hearing the glad sounds. Still, there were those who, like Effie Butler, wondered what in the world people could

Starting point is 07:42:52 mean. There was certainly nothing extraordinary about those bells. In the Fenton cottage it was Caroline, strange to say, who was tardy. Mrs. Fenton nearly lost patience. "'Do hurry, Caroline,' she said from the foot of the stairs. "'We are the last ones. Even Amy has gone.' "'I can't think why you are in such haste,' Caroline said, appearing at last with composed face. The first bell rang only a few minutes ago. There is nearly half an hour yet. Yes, but we wanted to get near the platform, you know, and the meeting is away down at the auditorium.

Starting point is 07:43:31 At this point, Mr. Masters passed the door. What, not gone yet, he said, halting and lifting his hat. I thought I was the last one. Then, Miss Raynor, I'll carry your camp chair. Shall we take camp chairs? Asked Mrs. Fenton, halting doubtfully, while her husband folded the evening paper. Why, there will be plenty of room!

Starting point is 07:43:56 What is the use in carrying chairs such a long distance? More comfortable, said Mr. Masters, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, as he shouldered the article in question and took rapid strides forward. The avenues were nearly deserted. The night was somewhat cloudy, and a slight rain had been falling. What a pity, it seems, that the night is not clear. said Caroline as they hurried on. A first meeting always starts off so much better with a good attendance. I suppose people will be afraid of rain tonight. Possibly, was her companion's brief reply?

Starting point is 07:44:34 And Caroline looked at him inquiringly, wondering why his answers were so brief and his tone so peculiar tonight. On they hurried, striking at last into Simpson Avenue, Caroline came to a sudden halt and gave an exclamation of delight. A way down the avenue as far as her eye could reach, on either side was one blaze of light. Illuminated mottoes, flags, Chinese lanterns, flowers, ribbons, anything that could lend a glow of color to the bright scene had been displayed, and the whole effect was such as she will remember all her life.

Starting point is 07:45:10 Her taciturn companion stopped but a moment, however, for her to enjoy the scene, then hurried her on. They had lost sight of the Fentons, Mr. Masters having followed his own fancy in the way that he was leading Caroline, and Mr. Fenton having gone sturdily forward by the path he had first chosen. The result was that when they had reached the point from whence the great glowing auditorium was visible, they were quite alone. Here they stopped again, Caroline involuntarily, with an exclamation almost like dismay, stretching before them away down the long line of seats that had always been,

Starting point is 07:45:47 before been empty when she looked at them, were heads, heads, heads, heads, a perfect sea of heads. Chairs in the aisles, chairs at the sides, chairs even a way back behind the last row of seats. People, people! Caroline had never in her life seen such a gathering. For a full minute, she stood transfixed, looking down that hill on the throng. Then suddenly she said, it is full, the auditorium is actually full. "'Rather,' said Mr. Masters, "'that is a fact.'

Starting point is 07:46:22 Then the comical side of the whole matter rushed over him. Her composed and assured manner, her certainty that there was no need for haste, her pity bestowed on account of the weather and the supposed spareness of the company, her amazed eyes as she gazed on the people. All were too much for one who was continually tempted toward the merry side of things.

Starting point is 07:46:43 He threw back his head and indulged in a ringing laugh. It was suddenly hushed, however, for Caroline did not smile, and when he looked closely, he discovered that her eyes were full of tears. "'You are used to crowds, I suppose,' she said apologetically, smiling now through her tears. "'But I never saw so many people together before, and I can hardly tell you how strangely this moves me. I know it will sound like a strange mixture of thoughts to your mind, but I can only think of these words. after this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number.

Starting point is 07:47:22 A great company of people is a wonderful sight, he said gently. If he did not understand, at least he respected her tears. They made their way now as rapidly and silently as possible down the hill on the outskirts of the great throng. I am so sorry to have delayed Mrs. Fenton, Caroline said remorsefully, I did not dream of such a scene as this. Where can we go?

Starting point is 07:47:48 We might as well stand still as advance. There is no room anywhere. Yes, there is, he said, pushing forward. Come around to the back of the platform. I have some choir tickets. They will admit us to the stand, and we can crowd this chair into some knot-hole in the trees. The first part of this plan, at least,

Starting point is 07:48:09 by dint of systematic and persistent crowding, was carried out, Last Caroline was seated on the right wing of the great platform, with leisure to look over the wonderful sea of heads stretching before her. Not long to look either, for the moment of commencing had arrived, and directly those bells, whose sweetness had stolen into her heart, ceased peeling. Dr. Vincent appeared at the front of the platform and announced the formal opening of the seventh Sunday school assembly.

Starting point is 07:48:40 I could appreciate your tears now, Mr. Masters said, leaning towards her suddenly, and his eyes were moist. It was during the rendering of the Vesper service, that wonderful Vesper service, so dear it is to the hearts of Chautauquins, that, as the majestic verses roll out from thousands of voices, like the sound of many waters, there are those who cannot keep back the rush of tears. Think of the perfected twilight, the brightly lighted grove,

Starting point is 07:49:10 the inspiration that is always found in the sound of many voices, and then in imagination listen to words like these. Leader, the day goeth away. Congregation, the shadows of the evening are stretched out. Leader, praise waiteth for thee, O God in Zion. Congregation, and unto thee shall the vow be performed. Leader, thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Congregation, evening and morning and at noon will be.

Starting point is 07:49:44 I pray and cry aloud. Then there steals, like a benediction, the united voice of song, hushed to a melody that fits the words. Softly now the light of day fades upon our side away, free from care from labor free, Lord we would commune with thee. I heard it first in 74, murmured Mr. Masters during one of the organ interludes, and I have joined in it each year since. The verses grow on me. They stretch out their powerful arms in every direction as I join this multitude of voices. At that moment the leader's grand voice rang out, The Lord bless thee and keep thee. Then the congregation with full hearts responded, The Lord make his face shine upon me and be gracious unto thee.

Starting point is 07:50:44 And the beautiful answer came, The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. By this time the great assembly were ready to sing with heart and voice. Thus when life's toil some day is o'er, may its departing ray, Be calm in this impressive hour, And lead to endless day. Mr. Masters had no need to apologize to Caroline for his, his peculiar and tender interest in the Vesper service. He needed not to apologize to Caroline for his

Starting point is 07:51:20 emotion. She was a new Chautauqua and it is true, but the place had already been so much to her, and promised so much in the future, and was so dear, that she felt her heart thrill strangely, almost wildly, with every mention of the name and every reference to those connected with it. It is different with you, she had said to Mrs. Fenton once, in talking about her enthusiastic love for the circle. Your heart has a great many homes. You are rich. Chautauqua to you is only something to take its appropriate place and receive its share of interest. But I feel like a little beggar girl who has just been adopted. Stronger and stronger grew this feeling on the evening of the seventh opening assembly, until it was a relief to her

Starting point is 07:52:09 excited nerves to join with the crowd in laughter over the speaker who had just said, Last night Frank Beard told me if I spoke tonight, I must begin by saying what he said last year here. He began, another year has rolled away. Said he, if you will only say that, you get the confidence of your audience at the outset by telling facts. But I am more than half suspect that I have stolen that dear brother's thunder, for I know he meant to begin that way himself. Isn't that Professor Holmes? whispered Caroline, amid the outbursts of laughter. Yes, did you think teaching Latin was the extent of his abilities? said her companion, answering her look as well as her words. The fact is, a man who can teach Latin as well as he can,

Starting point is 07:52:59 can do most anything else well. I'll tell you another thing that he can teach. When normal class is open, you must join his. If he doesn't make Bible history, or anything else that he undertakes to teach, clearer than it ever was before, I shall be disappointed." "'Isn't he a very unusual Latin teacher?' whispered Caroline again, going back to the subject during the musical interlude. "'He is a very unusual teacher,' Mr. Masters said, with a strong emphasis on the last word. He has the rare faculty of being able to make clear to others what he understands himself,

Starting point is 07:53:39 and I believe he has in a high degree the still rarer virtue of not attempting to teach anything that he does not thoroughly understand. Then the whispering ceased, for the magnificent choir on the platform, was leading off in the Chautauqua song for 1877, and neither Caroline nor Mr. Masters could hold their voices from joining. When the day is high and clear, Labor for the night is near, When the evening shadows fall,

Starting point is 07:54:16 Rest God watcheth overall, When the morning's on thee shine, Bend to hear the voice divine, Hear thy Lord with heart of praise, I am with you all the days. All the days thy strength to be, all the days to comfort thee. Lead thee on and lift thee up,

Starting point is 07:54:55 bear thy burden, share thy cup, all the days to bless thine eyes with some glad and sweet surprise all the days from morn till eve all the days of earth and hound this is the man we heard preach yesterday said mr masters as dr pott's was introduced and caroline bobbed her head this way and that to try to get glimpses of the man whose words of the sabbath before still rang in her heart but dr pott's in the pulpit on sabbath and dr pott's at a social reunion in the woods of a week-day evening were two different persons his address provoked bursts of laughter at every sentence "'What was that, he said, about examinations which set everybody into a roar?' "'Mr. Masters asked, when there was a moment's breathing space, and a chance for another whisper. "'That fellow behind me had the ill grace just then to whisper to me to reach a singing book for him, "'and I lost it all.'

Starting point is 07:56:08 "'Why,' said Caroline, he said he had an idea that Chautauqua was such an alarmingly intellectual spot, that for a long time he was afraid to come. He thought that when he sat down at a hotel table and ordered his breakfast, the waiter would say, I cannot serve you, sir, unless you can show me a certificate that you passed a good examination in philosophy this morning. Then they had the laugh over again between themselves. That is a hit at the eight o'clock lecture lessons on philosophy, said Mr. Masters, but they are grand, and for a man like me, who is accustomed to beginning a day's work at six o'clock, they are not too early. But wasn't his closing sentence a grand one?

Starting point is 07:56:51 That is like Dr. Potts. I've heard him before, heard him last summer at the Thousand Island Park in the St. Lawrence. It is characteristic of him that however witty and sparkling he may be, and you see he can sparkle well, he never forgets to put in a touch of the one great thing. That is grand. What was his closing sentence? asked Caroline. I cannot recall it. Why, that about the flags? Wait, I copied it in

Starting point is 07:57:20 shorthand. And he read from his notebook, and while you, as Americans, rejoice in your flag of stars and stripes, and while with a loyalty that knows no faltering, I rejoice in the flag that has braved for more than a hundred years, the battle in the breeze, there is another flag, better than England's flag, better than America's flag, and that is the banner of our Lord. Lord Jesus Christ. I remember, said Caroline, her eyes shining with appreciation of the sentiment. Oh, look! Well, she might exclaim.

Starting point is 07:57:54 To one like her who had never seen it before, the sight was simply glorious. And to one who has never seen it at all, the effect is indescribable. Yet the cause was simple enough, a flutter of what looked like millions and millions of white handkerchiefs. The Chautauqua salute, said Mr. Tocque. Mr. Masters composedly, his eyes shining with satisfaction. Isn't it a singular scene? A summer snowstorm down among the flowers and the grasses

Starting point is 07:58:22 and the full-leaved forest trees, said Caroline. Look for whom it is in honor, said Mr. Masters. Chautauqua salutes the nations that sit in darkness through their representative. Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. Caroline looked, in some way the tears that seemed so strangely near the surface tonight were ready to overflow again. It was so wonderful and so good a sight to see Ramshandra Bose, once a heathen, now a cultured Christian gentleman, standing before that cultured audience, bowing his thanks to their salutation, and addressing them in smooth-flowing English. It needed his last sentence about their being but one place on earth better,

Starting point is 07:59:09 than Chautauqua and that place Lucknow, India, where he hoped to see the assembly convened next year, to let some of his hearers down from their high pitch of excitement to the common ground of laughter and applause. When the Chautauqua salute to greet Bishop Warren was called for, it fitted the call which Dr. Vincent had made, that it should be of the whitest, purest, intensest kind. It looks as though ten million more handkerchiefs had been made and added since the last salute, said Caroline, laughing and brushing the tears away with hers. They were ready for him this time, said Mr. Masters. He took them by surprise when he called before. Hark, what is Bishop Warren saying? Oh, it makes me think of the place where they all walk

Starting point is 07:59:57 in white. Those were the words he said, and Mr. Masters leaning forward to catch them, turned suddenly to Caroline and quoted the old proverb about great minds thinking alike. As the bishop proceeded to refer to the reign of the early morning, and to his fear that it would keep people at home so that the unusual assembly crowd would be missed, Mr. Masters' significant look was too much for Caroline's gravity. But there was little opportunity for a side-whispers during the address that followed. How grand it was! Almost every sentence in it rang with the spirit of religious fervor. Bishop Warren was something more than a bishop. something more than an astronomer, something more than an eloquent speaker, something more than a preacher.

Starting point is 08:00:45 He was an intense lover of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we have that, said he, speaking of the love of Christ, shed abroad in the heart, then we shall have but one, and the blessed banner, whether English or American, the real stain of the blood of Christ, the actual color by which we conquer. This Chautauqua, if I understand it, simply means a glorification of love, so that it takes the ordinary workman in the ordinary range of life, and instead of leaving us to be busy-handed only, lifts us up into the highest thoughts, and lets us walk through the world, reading all that God's pen has ever written. I wonder how many hearts there were in that great audience to thrill in response to such a sentiment. little Mrs. Fenton, wedged in among the crowding heads so that she could scarcely breathe, only by continual bobbing of her head being able to secure transient glimpses of the speaker,

Starting point is 08:01:45 yet let pass at that moment a good opportunity for a full view of his face, and stretched her neck in the other direction, to get a sympathetic nod and smile from young Robert's father. Busy-handed people, they two were, with what reachings out after an uplifting that would enable, them to keep their boy in sight, you will perhaps remember. And Chautauqua and the helps that were the outgrowth of the Chautauqua idea had come to them in their time of need, and would be remembered as no other help in the future ever could be, with a sort of tremulous

Starting point is 08:02:20 tenderness as the hand that had been outheld to aid their first-steppings, and then had beckoned them on. Mr. Masters shaded his eyes from the brilliancy of platform lights, and let his thoughts wander with his glances over the audience, in wonderment as to how many of them, like himself, represented the busy-handed people. Their faces told, earnest faces seemed with lines of care, hands hinting at daily toil, brows bent as those habituated to hard thought and harder action. Middle-aged men and women, many of them, whose faces at this moment, showing clear-cut in the weird electric light that made each line as distinct as if it were in sunlight, told how entirely their hearts said amen to the words of the speaker. Scholarly faces there were, too, plenty of

Starting point is 08:03:12 them, whose eager eyes smiled assent to whatever Bishop Warren might say in honor of Chautauqua. But Mr. Masters did not care so much for them. It is only one of their many helps, he said to Caroline afterwards. Of course, I am glad that they like it and appreciate. but I don't feel so grateful in their behalf. They were well on the way to what they needed without Chautauqua, and I dare say they would have found their help's all they needed perhaps without it. But to us it is everything. Something of this feeling he had while sitting there,

Starting point is 08:03:48 listening to every word that the bishop said, yet carrying on this train of thought and watching the ever-changing expressions in the sea of upturned faces before him. Suddenly he turned to Caroline. She was not looking at him but at the speaker. Her lips slightly parted, her cheeks aglow, her eyes bright with the light of appreciation. As he watched her, Mr. Masters became distinctly conscious that he was glad, oh very glad indeed, that Chautauqua had been a help to Caroline Raynor. Meantime, the eager, eloquent words were being poured forth. I rejoice, said Bishop Warren, that we bring together at Chautauqua all things. One said to me, coming to Chautauqua for the first time,

Starting point is 08:04:35 I don't like in a Christian place to see them teaching the Sunday school lessons and the old heathen god Mercury kicking up his heels on the point the first thing we see on our arrival. Why, said I, that is significant simply of the astronomy we study. Like him, we ride through the heavens and visit all of the world. the strange worlds, and we put mercury just where it will be suggestive of our long flight when we are using the telescope. A wonderful meeting! These were the words in which Caroline was wont to characterize it in after months, and with that sentence she stopped. Who can describe such meetings? Could she put the wonderful play of light and shadow among those grand old

Starting point is 08:05:18 trees into words? Could she describe the hundreds and hundreds of eager faces shining clear that beautiful electric light? Could she repeat the ever-changing play of expression and describe the telling gestures that had so much to do in fixing the thoughts of the different speakers on her mind? Several times she essayed to describe to those who had only heard of Chautauqua some of the glories of that first meeting, and realized by the well-bred stairs which they bestowed on her, that her enthusiasm was unaccountable to them. After that, she contented herself with the expression, it was a wonderful meeting. It closed in a blaze of glory, the most remarkable display of fireworks that ever delighted the eyes of thousands of children, to say nothing of the

Starting point is 08:06:06 grown people, who, as Mrs. Fenton said, liked them just exactly as well, only they didn't want to own it. Among the wonders was a brilliantly illumined fountain, which blazed and glowed and shimmered, now with green, now with blue, and then with the loveliest blending of crimson and purple and gold. It was when they had ascended the hill, supposing the beauties of the evening were entirely over, that they turned for a last look, and saw displayed in letters of fire the word good night. Oh, good night, repeated Caroline with a regretful little laugh. I hate to say it. I want this evening to go on and on. "'Fine things,' said one man to another as they passed our friends.

Starting point is 08:06:54 "'Yes, very, some capital speeches made there. That presentation one to Dr. Vincent was about as neat a thing as the bishop ever did.' "'It wasn't any better than his reply,' stoutly affirmed the other. "'Oh, no, of course not. The doctor always does a good thing.' And the enthusiasm in the tone was so marked that the listeners laughed. I don't know about such a display of fireworks, continued the first speaker, never could understand why they want to bring such nonsense to Chautauqua, great expense and parade, and nothing but smoke to show for it.

Starting point is 08:07:30 Why don't they use the money to some better purpose? Wasn't it splendid? Lisped a pretty young lady belonging to another party just at their left. Yes, indeed, I went to see the fireworks, wouldn't have gone out at all tonight if I hadn't heard that there was going to be such a fine display. But I'm real glad I went. I liked the speeches, and one hymn they sing seems to keep singing itself over. And she hummed in undertone, a strain of the Chautauqua hymn,

Starting point is 08:08:00 When the evening shadows fall, rest God watcheth over all. It is a pity those two parties couldn't converse together, said Mr. Masters, laughing, Their remarks would answer each other. The young lady has advanced a good argument for the use of that which the man thought was nothing but smoke. It drew her out to-night, it seems, and no one knows how many more, and she, at least, has taken the melody of those grand words into her heart, who shall say what they may do for her, and he hummed the strain,

Starting point is 08:08:38 Hear the days, I am with you all the days. breaking off in the midst to say, We get according to our needs or moods or something, don't we? Now it isn't that him, nor yet the presentation speeches, which I take home tonight, but this sentence and the thoughts which hover around it. Chautauqua simply means a glorification of love, so that it takes the ordinary range of life, and instead of leaving it to the busy-handed only,

Starting point is 08:09:13 lifts us up into the highest thoughts, and lets us walk through the world, reading all that God's pen has written. Now what is your inspiration? The real stain of the blood of Christ, the actual color by which we conquer, she answered in undertone. Amen, said Mr. Masters.

Starting point is 08:09:35 End of Chapter 23. Chapter 24 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Magnificent Distances. There never was a more excited boy than Robert Fenton, as he sat in the doorway fanning his flushed cheeks with his hat and in full tide of talk with his mother while she picked over a large dish of blackberries. It was perfectly splendid, mother! Oh, grand! Everybody says so! And I can't tell you anything about it! I think it is just a shame that you didn't hear him. Well, why did they put a grand lecture at such a heathenish hour? I thought we might better miss 8 o'clock in the morning than any other hour in the day.

Starting point is 08:10:28 That is just where you make a mistake. Some of the grandest lectures there will be on these whole grounds are to come at 8 o'clock in the morning. I heard ever so many say so. And they began this morning. Why, all the philosophy lectures come at 8 o'clock. I'm going to them, too. Chautauqua isn't like any other place in the world. But people at Chautauqua eat just as they do in other places.

Starting point is 08:10:56 In fact, I believe they eat a little more here than anywhere else, and somebody has got to prepare food for the body. Oh, well, it's mean to have you, Mother, missing things for the sake of getting folks something to eat. I just wouldn't do it. You and Caroline aren't the ones. Let the folks attend to those things who can't appreciate the last, lectures. Let—' He lowered his voice considerably, and bent his laughing eyes closer to his mother as he completed the sentence.

Starting point is 08:11:26 Let Effie Butler and Amy Allison in that set get the dinners. Only I wouldn't want to eat them. I don't believe they know how to get dinners, do you? A warning shake of the head was the only answer he received to the saucy speech, and he continued in louder tone. Well, I would buy lots of bread and milk in blackberries and let people live on them while the meetings lasted. That's what I would do. And who would pick over the blackberries? asked his mother significantly. Give each one a saucer full and let them pick them over as fast as they eat them, he answered quickly, helping himself to a generous handful of the unpicked ones. Anyway, mother, I don't feel one bit reconciled to your losing things.

Starting point is 08:12:14 think it is just horrid. Mrs. Fenton gave that wistful little sigh as she said. After all, Robert, I presume I did not miss much. You see, I know almost nothing at all about astronomy, and it is not likely that I should have understood much of it. Astronomical lectures are for those who have studied the science. I beg your pardon, Mother, but so far as this one lecture is concerned, you are mistaken. I don't know anything about astronomy either. At least I didn't before I heard this lecture. I know a little now. But I understood almost the whole of it. You see, Bishop Warren knows so much about the science that he can afford to talk so that people can understand him, and he made everything just as plain as sunlight. Father

Starting point is 08:13:03 liked it, and he says he doesn't know anything about astronomy, but he said this lecture was the grandest thing he ever heard in his life. But then Father is different from some people. He understands things. While we were walking home, he explained something to me in that lecture that I didn't get at all. He made it just as clear. The mother looked up from her blackberries long enough to bestow a very bright and tender smile on her boy. There was nothing that her loyal heart liked better to hear from his lips than praise of his father. He was looking at her with thoughtful eyes. There's a great difference in folk. He broke forth suddenly.

Starting point is 08:13:46 Some of the boys in our circle can't get their fathers and mothers to have anything to do with it. Ned Holcomb says, his mother says, it is just an excuse to have a good time. Just think how you and father have taken it up and pushed it all the time. I tell you what it is, I don't believe there are any more mothers and fathers like mine. Foolish boy, trying to flatter his mother, she said, but her voice trembled. and her eyes shone with something besides a smile, and never was flattery more sweet to a human heart. "'It is true,' he said stoutly.

Starting point is 08:14:24 "'If you knew the mothers that some boys have, huh!' And the contemptuous sniff with which they were dismissed told volumes. "'It was too mean not to have heard that lecture,' he declared, returning to the subject of his thoughts. "'Mother, there were some of the grandest things in it. I will tell you what he understands besides astronomy. He understands boys. Then he is a wise man, said the mother, laughing.

Starting point is 08:14:52 Well, he talked about how boys like to manage things. They began, he said, by managing the cat and the dog. Mother, don't you remember how I used to make that old Caesar of mine go back and lie down in the stable when he wanted to follow me awfully? Think of making a Caesar, mind you. He said a boy tingled with power to his finger's ends. I know that's true. There are some things that I'm sure I can do.

Starting point is 08:15:20 When I get hold of a piece of work, if it is hard, there is something inside of me that sort of makes me keep at it, until I conquer it. Then just as soon as I can do it, I want to try something else. What has all that to do with astronomy? Why, it is an illustration, you see, of the power that is in people, and of the fact that they were meant to be conquerors. Mother, do you know how particular they have to be with their astronomical clocks?

Starting point is 08:15:48 If one of them gets out of order and goes to gaining two seconds a week, it has to be fixed. That is, each second must be made to take one three hundred thousandth part of a second more time. Doesn't that make you dizzy? Not at all, said Mrs. Fenton laughing, for I am sure I should never undertake to do it. Everything about astronomy has to be so perfect, continued the young enthusiast. Oh, I must tell you about the Cincinnati Observatory! You know what a dirty, smoky old city that is? They had to move the observatory way up on another hill somewhere to get rid of the smoke,

Starting point is 08:16:28 and the man in charge of the great telescope discovered that the lens was perfect in the middle and wrong all around the edges. Now what do you suppose made that? "'I haven't the least idea,' said Mrs. Fenton, reaching for another dish of berries. "'Well, you never would imagine. The smoke gathered on the glass, of course, and it had to be wiped off. They used the softest leather and brushed it from the center. Then the edges had to be rubbed a little. And though it was done so gently and carefully, that little bit of rubbing had worn the glass so it was not perfect enough for science. What do you think of that?'

Starting point is 08:17:08 I think it must be very hard work to keep everything up to such a state of perfection. I'm glad that my work doesn't require such precision. Yes, but Mother, only imagine what precision there must be up in the sky. Oh, I'll tell you all about one thing that you would have liked. Astronomy teaches people that things are often different from what they seem. Don't you know how often you tell me to look into a thing and see whether I don't change my mind about it after I have studied it carefully? Well, now, I never thought of it until this lecturer mentioned it today,

Starting point is 08:17:43 but do you know the sun looks as though it rose in the morning and set at night, and the earth was sort of hemmed up inside of it? And we all inside of it. Suppose we knew nothing about astronomy, what queer notions we would have of things. Oh, mother, I wish you could have heard him talk about speed. He began with a horse, said the horse who could only go a mile in two minutes and forty seconds,

Starting point is 08:18:07 was a very slow one. I'd be contented with a horse who could go as fast as that. Then he talked about the steamers, said we packed the strength of six thousand horses into them, and they could go 20 miles an hour, and keep at it day and night, and the railroad train could go 60 miles an hour, and make us dizzy with the speed with which the telegraph poles whizzed by us. And then, Mother, he said, think about the car in which you have been traveling, ever since you were born and imagine it going at the rate of a thousand miles a minute. He said that if we could set up poles two miles apart, we fly so fast that they would seem as close together as our fingers.

Starting point is 08:18:49 Mother, can you think of anything so fast as that? And oh, do you know how fast light travels? It goes 186,000 miles in a second. I knew that before, but I never realized how fast that meant until I heard it compared today. Some way, Mother, he took the facts that all schoolboys have learned and spread them out and sort of did our thinking for us. Or no, that isn't it, said us to doing it for ourselves. I can't put the thought into words, but only think of the time it would take a streak of light

Starting point is 08:19:23 to make a journey around the world. Do you suppose it could do it in a minute? In a minute, said his unwary mother. Why, no, of course not. Then did young Robert throw back his head and laugh merrily. It can do it eight times in one second! Eight times around the world while you are picking up a blackberry! Mother, we can't even think as fast as that, can we?

Starting point is 08:19:50 That's what he said, that we could not appreciate it, and yet astronomy trained our minds so that we are able to grasp such great truths. Mother, you know we came almost a thousand miles to Chautauqua, And don't you remember how tedious the journey seemed all that hot afternoon, and how tired you were? I should think I did, was the mother's hearty assent. Yes, and the Stanfords and Burton's and some of those people told us it was too far to come for a few weeks. I do wonder what they would have thought if they had heard the lecture this morning. He illustrated the distance of the planets by imagining a little child starting from Chautauqua to take a journey to the sun.

Starting point is 08:20:34 He put him on an express train, and away he went, miles and miles and miles, leaving the world behind. Time passed, and he grew to be a big boy, then a middle-aged man, then an old man, traveling, traveling all the time. By and by he was 70 years old and died, his journey not half done. Then he started another from that point. A child growing up to manhood to old age, flying along on that express train for 70 years. years, then another, then another, starting from the point that that one would reach when he was 70, and then another and another, and 350 years after the train first started, that flying express train that never stopped for wood or water or to take on passengers, 350 years afterwards,

Starting point is 08:21:26 that train has not reached the sun, and yet he says that the distance from the earth to the sun is just a unit of measure. "'A unit of measure,' repeated the bewildered little mother. "'Why, yes, like a foot-rule, you know. "'If I had a foot-rule, I could measure and say it was so many feet from this door to that corner cupboard. "'Well, they used the distance between the sun and the earth like a foot-rule. "'Such a star is so many distances from the earth to the sun.' "'Oh,' she said, and she looked admiringly at her handsome boy.

Starting point is 08:22:02 He was capable of explaining to his mother what he knew himself. Yes, and he says this express train might fly along on a smooth track for 6,000 years, and reach Neptune, and there the sun would be shining away. And yet we could travel on it so far as to lose sight of the sun altogether. Mother, what a little speck of an insignificant thing this world is! What a wonderful God to have made all the other worlds! This said Caroline as she dropped potatoes into the bubbling water and stooped to look after her roast in the oven. She had come from the little pantry at one side

Starting point is 08:22:42 where she had been listening to the second edition of the morning lecture. Oh, Caroline! said the eager boy. You heard it, didn't you? Wasn't it glorious? Yes, I was thinking a few minutes ago about that. How wonderful God the planner of it all must be! I don't know what Mr.

Starting point is 08:23:02 Monteth would say to that lecture. I saw him taking notes. I should think he must suppose that God was capable of doing anything if he believed what the lecturer said. Perhaps he doesn't believe there are any stars, said Caroline quietly. Caroline, said the astonished Robert. What do you mean? Why, there is no telling what heights of absurdity a man may reach, who is as fond of saying, I don't believe as he is. He doubts the existence of facts which are just as clear to me as the stars, and I thought possibly he might be star-blind also. Is Mr. Montief an infidel? asked Mrs. Fenton in a voice of dismay. This inconsistent little mother, who wanted the best for her boy, who was so firm a believer in the existence and the power of the goodness of God, that she shrank with horror

Starting point is 08:23:59 from having her boy come in contact with one who doubted, yet did not in any way acknowledge her allegiance to him or obey his plain commands. Oh, I don't know what he is, said Robert restlessly, shrinking from any condemnation of his friend, and yet feeling bound to be loyal to the truth. He has some queer ideas, I don't understand them very well, and sometimes it seemed to me as though he didn't.

Starting point is 08:24:27 I wouldn't try to understand, them, Robert, spoke his mother earnestly. If he does not believe in God, he is not a good man, however much he may know. The God whom your grandfather followed all his life is one in whom you ought to trust. But Robert nestled uneasily, and let his mind rove over certain specious objections that Mr. Monteth had suggested, and among other things he thought to himself, If mother believes in him, why doesn't she serve him? If the mother had but known that such were her boy's thoughts. After a moment of grave silence,

Starting point is 08:25:06 the boy seemed determined to throw off all troublesome thoughts and returned to his present hobby. Oh, mother, what Bishop Warren said about powerful things was so wonderful. He spoke of the power of an earthquake, how it could shake down a great city or a section of a continent. how it could bring the sea rushing over the land, and then throw it back into place again. But he said that all these million worlds that went flying through space

Starting point is 08:25:34 were carried so steadily that not a baby was ever awakened in the night by the jar, nor a bird unnested from its bow by the trembling. Did you ever hear anything sweeter? And yet some people are foolish enough to doubt whether the God who made them takes any care of the worlds now. It was Caroline's voice again, and it seemed to startle the boy and make him think, whether he would or not. She came now, and sat down for a moment beside the two, her fork and cooking spoon in hand. You have given your mother a capital synopsis of the lecture, she said.

Starting point is 08:26:12 Now let me read you some of the closing thoughts which I copied from Mr. Master's shorthand notes. They are the grandest, I think, in the whole grand lecture. Yet there are powers within me to which worlds give no satisfaction. Can you lead me to a knowledge of the author of all these? Not only tell me there must be infinite wisdom and personality, but can you reveal him? Alas, no, said science. Man cannot, by searching, find out God.

Starting point is 08:26:42 And then we cry aloud to religion and say, Can you bring me through the grandeur of the great and glowing temple to the individuality that made it all? And religion answers, Yes, I can wake powers within you, at which new worlds shall rise, new orders of being shall appear, principalities and powers rank on rank,

Starting point is 08:27:04 and sights that I hath not seen. Holding then to science with one hand, the left hand, we give the right to religion and cry, Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things, more wonderful than the shining worlds can tell. Obedient to the promise, religion does waken faculties within us,

Starting point is 08:27:26 does fit our eyes to the beholding of more wonderful things. These great worlds blazing like suns die like feeble stars in the glory of the morning in the presence of this new light. The soul knows that an infinite sea of love is all about it, throbbing through it. everlasting arms lift it, and it bathes itself in the clear consciousness of a father's love. Then does the soul know that these bright stars at infinite distances are only the golden stairs by which thought climbs into the space where it may find God, and this wonderful intellectual being and the thrill of its power,

Starting point is 08:28:06 is only the infancy of that being that shall be perfect and eternal. She read the impassioned sentence as well, and then went back to her cooking without comment. Listening to Robert, as he gave his glowing description of the wonders of the morning, she believed that his brain was keen enough to grasp the thought she wanted him to hold fast without further pushing. But I think her cheeks would have glowed with indignation had she heard Kent Montief's comment made to the boy Robert.

Starting point is 08:28:37 He mars his otherwise matchless eloquence by putting in those platitudes at the close. Two forces were at work during these days in connection with Robert Fenton. Whatever spirit possessed Kent Monteth, whether he was fascinated with the boy's keen intellect and wanted to see how far it would reach, or whether he was merely thoughtless, certain it was that he was doing much to undermine the faith in which the boy had unthinkingly rested hitherto. Meantime, Robert Masters had apparently resolved on cultivating young Robert's acquaintance, He constantly sought him out, offered him books to read, discovered his favorite studies, and talked with him about them, not from a way above him, as the boy recognized always that

Starting point is 08:29:25 Kent Monteth stood, but more as a companion, and yet a helpful one who had lived more years with wide-open eyes, and was, therefore, in some respects ahead. Robert liked it, this meeting him on a certain equality, and Kent Monteth had a daintieth had a daint-a-daintinger. rival in his affections. The more so because he, though invariably good-natured, was also invariably selfish, giving attention to Robert when it pleased him to do so, and gracefully shaking him off when it suited his fancy to do that. On the contrary, Robert Masters studied opportunities for serving him and giving him pleasure. He loved the woods, and so did the boy. He was wise in woods' lore, knowing a hundred things of which the boy knew nothing, it gave him pleasure to impart.

Starting point is 08:30:17 He knew the lake every foot of it. He was at home with the fish, and he planned certain fishing excursions, some of them by moonlight, in which they fished and talked. And the elder fisher did more than talk. He watched, eye, and prayed, for he was fishing for a soul. End of Chapter 24. of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibrovox recording is in the public domain. There's no end to it.

Starting point is 08:30:55 Perhaps there was no one at Chautauqua, who worked more industriously, to resist the forces for good that were working around him than did Joseph Ward. He recognized even more forcibly than while at home the unmistakable and increasing change in his brother and in Paul Adams, and resented both almost as a personal grieving. He looked with lofty indifference on all the efforts made to interest or amuse him. He held aloof from every point where he would be likely to get help, and sneered at all suggestions hinting toward a deeper interest. Even the Jubilee singers failed to receive any praise from him. They were well enough, he affirmed, but after all they would not compare with the negro minstrels

Starting point is 08:31:42 whom he heard last winter. This attempt at comparison so vexed, Mrs. Fenton that she declared her determination to have nothing more to do with the fellow, since he was determined to be ruined, why, let him? Dr. Monteth worked away patiently in his efforts to reach the young man, utterly unconscious, meanwhile, as many a good father is, how industriously his own son was working to undermine the faith of another. Still, so far, the doctor's efforts had been as unavailing as any others. So while he had been as unavailing as any others, so while he he by no means gave up effort, he lost heart. There seemed to be nothing at Chautauqua to reach Joe Ward. He is cast in a coarser mold, said the professor to himself with a sigh.

Starting point is 08:32:31 I don't believe we can reach him. One morning, the subject of all this solicitude strolled quite away from familiar avenues, exploring a portion of the grounds which he had not seen before. He came upon an energetic young fellow of about his own age, engaged in flooring a tent. Stopping, hands in his pockets, and whistling slowly, he watched the operation for a few minutes, then asked, What are you about? As the actual work that he was about was clearly discernible to the naked eye, the young man thus addressed seemed to conclude that the question struck deeper and answered accordingly. Speculating. Speculating? What with? Whose tent is that?

Starting point is 08:33:16 Mine for the present. Do you want to rent it? Not much. No of anybody who does? Not a body. Oh, well, there'll be people enough who do. No trouble about that. This is the place for people. Just lend a hand with this plank, will you? Then when you are raising your tent, I'll do as much for you. My tent? And Joe repeated the words in an amused tone.

Starting point is 08:33:42 The pronoun seemed to strike him strangely. That is an article along with most other things that I never expect to own. Why don't you rent one and go into business? How? Easy enough, rent a vacant lot, then rent a tent, put it up yourself, add all sorts of nice little fixings that will make it look tasty, then rent it for a good sum as the crowds come in, and you have quite a nice bit of money over and above expenses.

Starting point is 08:34:09 For almost the first time in his life, Joe was interested in a matter of business. There seemed to be something so independent and so free and easy about this sort of work that it took his fancy. For a full half-minute, he held his end of the plank aloft while he considered. Come, said the brisk young man. Step spry, I want to get my house in order before the next boatload comes in. I expect a crowd. Where do you get your money to rent your tax?

Starting point is 08:34:39 tent and lot and other things, asked Joe, fixing his end of the plank with precision. Well, I have an uncle here who lent me money enough to start with. It doesn't take much. Oh, said Joe with emphasis, well, I haven't an uncle here or anywhere else who would lend me a red scent. Bring on your uncle, and I'll consider your plan. But he considered the plan almost in spite of himself. He hovered about that tent nearly all the morning, sometimes helping, often are standing with hands in his pockets looking on, occasionally offering some advice. That won't fit in there, he said, as the energetic young worker brought a board that was designed

Starting point is 08:35:22 by him to occupy a certain niche. That shall fit in there, he declared, as the board, as if to prove the statement of the looker on, ground on its edges and refused to take its place. The worker dealt it vigorous blows with his fist. "'It won't go in,' said the looker on. "'It shall go in,' said the worker, "'and he took his hatchet, "'and, adding the strength that was in it

Starting point is 08:35:48 "'to the strength that was in the arm "'and the greater strength of will which was behind the arm, "'the discomfited board yielded the point "'and slipped quietly into place. "'That's power,' said the young man composedly. "'I guess you didn't hear the lecture this morning "'or you wouldn't have been so sure "'about it's not going in.'

Starting point is 08:36:08 "'No,' said Joe, with a slight sneer. "'I didn't hear it, did you?' "'That I did, and a famous one it was. "'I wouldn't have missed it even for the sake of getting up this tent two hours earlier, "'and that is saying a great deal. "'Seems to me you mix things.' "'Course,' said the other, "'dealing sturdy blows with his hatchet

Starting point is 08:36:30 "'and making a wedge for his board. "'You don't suppose I mean to stick to renting tents "'and putting them up on my life, do you? This is only a stepping stone, so to speak, towards the house I mean to have to rent. That's why I went to the lectures, to learn how. To learn how to rent houses? Was the lecture about that? That and some other things, a good many other things, in fact.

Starting point is 08:36:55 Bishop Warren, you know, he's the astronomy man. You wouldn't suppose that astronomy had anything to do with renting houses now, would you? But you see, it was one of those lectures that made a man remember that he lived in a one world, with wonderful worlds all around him, and wonderful things going on, and that he had a wonderful mind, and was meant to do wonderful things himself, and that he could accomplish almost anything that he set out with a determination that it should be done especially, if he saw that it was the right thing to do, and had a reasonable belief that the one who managed all these amazing worlds would give attention to him, too. At least that is what I got

Starting point is 08:37:34 out of the lecture. I came home twice as determined to accomplish what I have undertaken. What's that? What's that? repeated the young man, and he stopped as if half-puzzled for a minute, then laughed. Hard to tell, he said briskly. There's no end to it. There's a beginning, though. Pay my way at Chautauqua for the first thing, then pay my way at school this winter, and earn a good deal of money next summer, and go to college finally, and build my house and rent it, and build another, and do ten thousand things in the world that ought to be done with the money I earn." "'And join the CLSC,' added Joe, those letters representing to him the height and depth of human ambition.

Starting point is 08:38:20 "'Oh, I've been a member of the CLSC for two years. That is what started me in this line. Are you a member?' "'No,' said Joe, in intensest scorn. and turned on his heel and walked away. Still, the memory of the talk clung to him. The atmosphere about him was full of suppressed energy. He had been insensibly breathing it at the very time that he had been dodging it from day to day.

Starting point is 08:38:46 It was a relief to him to discover it taking shape in this tangible form that he could understand. Suppose I had an uncle and a tent and should earn a dollar. What would father think? He asked himself, as he put his hands. in his pockets and walked down Foster Avenue, kicking the pebbles from under his feet. Mrs. Fenton would have felt a trifle less discouraged with the worthless boy, could she have known

Starting point is 08:39:12 that the thought of giving a pleasant surprise to his father was a very agreeable one, over which he lingered tenderly. On the whole, though none of those most interested knew it, an advance had been made with Joseph Ward. To get a young man to think steadily about anything not positively wrong, is an advance. The result of his thinking appeared in the course of the day in an astounding request that he made to Mr. Fenton. "'Borrow twenty-five dollars,' repeated that gentleman, so lost in wonder as to fail to find further words to express himself. "'Yes, sir,' said Joe, looking up with composed face and laughing eyes into Mr. Fenton's troubled ones. He had no more idea of getting the money than he had of being

Starting point is 08:40:00 sent on a voyage of discovery to the moon, but it suited his idea of fun to ask for it. Now Mr. Fenton was a man who had made the little money that he had by slow and laborious stepings. He knew no royal road to fortune. Indeed, half a lifetime of hard work and patient small economies had brought him no fortune, only a very modest bank account, hardly sufficient for the rainy day for which most people look, and he had. had schemes and hopes for his one boy Robert sufficient to swallow the whole sum a dozen times. $25 was therefore no trifle to him. It represented hard work and self-denial. He was not one who spent 25 cents a year in mere self-indulgence. He was not one who had been able to cultivate

Starting point is 08:40:51 his natural generosity to a very great extent. You are not surprised, then, that the audacious boy's petition nearly took his breath away. What do you want of it? He asked at last, too much astonished and disturbed to make his question less direct. Want to go into business? And young Joe laughed pleasantly. The sentence had a pleasant sound. No harm in using it, though he never got any further.

Starting point is 08:41:20 Into business? And it was clear to the young man that he would certainly have to explain himself. Mr. Fenton's astonishment and perplexity were too real to get away from. So he briefly detailed the plan of the tent. Mr. Fenton asked a good many questions, and, almost to his dismay, saw that to a person of energy and enterprise the scheme was feasible, but he by no means wanted to risk twenty-five of his hard-earned dollars in such precarious hands as Joseph Ward's. Still, it was a pity that if the young fellow really had an earnest thought,

Starting point is 08:41:56 it should not be cultivated. Why don't you write to your father and ask him to lend you the money? He is better able to lose it than I am. The last part of the sentence was on Mr. Fenton's lips, but I rejoice to tell you it remained unspoken. Troubled as he was, he resolved not to hint to the young man that he distrusted his good intentions. Father, he wouldn't trust me with 25 cents if it should save my life.

Starting point is 08:42:24 He gave the passage money. out here to my brother, for fear I should spend it in peanuts and candy. The boy did not speak scornfully, as a rule he was too good-natured to be scornful, but that he felt the trammels with which his own folly had bound him was evident. Besides, he continued, by the time I could write and get an answer, the time for making the money would be about half gone. Folks have to work fast down here. That was true, and Mr. Fenton felt the force of it. He was exceedingly troubled. He wished that he had never seen Joseph Ward or his brother. Wasn't one boy as much as he could be expected to think of and plan for? Let Mr. Ward do for

Starting point is 08:43:08 his son. He was the one to assume risks in his behalf. Still, something held him from saying an immediate no, much to the waiting young man's astonishment. He had expected it in less time than had passed. "'Well,' said Mr. Fenton, at last, slowly, irresolutely, "'I can't answer you just now. Money isn't very plenty with me, you know, but I'll think it over today and let you know in the morning, and meantime you think it all over again, and perhaps you will change your mind and conclude it's too much of a risk.'

Starting point is 08:43:44 And Joe Ward chuckled, hardly waiting until Mr. Fenton was at a respectful distance. "'I won't change my mind,' he said, said aloud, and neither will you, old fellow. Your mind is that I won't get a cent of your money if you know yourself, and you think you do. I agree with you. We are of the same mind for once. I don't expect it. Mrs. Fenton was washing the tea dishes. She had banished Caroline and asserted her right to command the kitchen into order herself. Meantime, she was freely expressing her mind to her husband. The idea, the impudent boy!

Starting point is 08:44:24 That is all the thanks we get for the kindness we have shown him. He just wants to waste it and disgrace himself and us. I'm sorry he ever came with our party. There is no use in trying to do anything for him. $25, indeed. It seems a good deal of a pity that the first notion the boy ever had toward doing anything for himself should be crushed. Mr. Fenton said,

Starting point is 08:44:49 thoughtfully. I don't suppose he would do anything with it, though. Still, he might. Paul Adams, if he had time for such an enterprise, would make a good thing out of it, but Joe is made of other stuff. I don't know as there would be any very great risk. I think likely his father would pay me back if I told him the whole story. Still, I don't know. He might say I deserve to lose it for trusting the boy. Joe told me, frankly, that his father wouldn't trust him with 25 cents. And John Ward, while he is honest, is cross-grained and might take a position that he had no call to pay for the follies of his boy. Still, it is a hard case. I can't help thinking, what if it were our Robert?

Starting point is 08:45:35 Small danger of it ever being our Robert, the mother said, pitching the dishwater with energy into the sink. He is made of different stuff, at least. Still, she winced under the reference. It made her mother heart go over all the arguments in favor of doing something for the Ward boys. She was disappointed in James. He still took too strong an interest in Amy Allison to please her. She was in a chronic state of disappointment over Joe, and yet she felt unwilling, almost unable, to give him up. Her sleep that night was disturbed by troubled dreams. She rented and set up and put in order many tents. Young Joseph Ward appeared and tore them down again and swam away with them into the lake.

Starting point is 08:46:22 Her own boy Robert smuggled under one of them. In the middle of the night she wakened her husband with this question. Have you the least idea that he means anything but nonsense and waste? Who? What? asked Mr. Fenton, struggling to get awake enough to understand. Why, that Joe Ward, have you any faith in him? I don't know. awake now and thoughtful. I wish he meant it, if he doesn't mean anything soon, he will go to ruin. And the question is, how are we ever going to be sure that if we had helped him with this notion,

Starting point is 08:46:58 it might not have been the turning point? After that he went to sleep again, but his wife could not. She tossed and turned her pillow and turned it back again, and thought, what if it were her Robert? But that was nonsense. Still, he might be. be out in the world sometime, and his father gone and she gone, and he in need of friends. They were by no means rich, and the boy needed all they had. Could they bestow any on other boys, worthless ones? The longer she lay awake and thought about it, the more puzzled did she grow. If only she had been a Christian and had known how to secure unerring counsel, instead of

Starting point is 08:47:39 wrestling blindly with the golden rule, not knowing it for a rule at all. The next morning Mr. Fenton had time to make the fire in the kitchen stove, and attend to various other duties connected with their peculiar style of housekeeping, before his usually wide-awake wife made her appearance. When she came, she seemed singularly absent-minded, opened dampers that ought to be shut, and closed the slide that must always be left open. "'Look here,' said her husband, after she had in this way, created a fierce smoke. "'What are you about?' "'I don't believe I know,' laughing a little. Then, while Caroline went to their bit of a cellar for milk and bread, "'Rober, I've been thinking, and I don't know but we ought to do it.'

Starting point is 08:48:29 "'I shouldn't wonder,' he said, making no pretense of not understanding her, and so the question which had been to them a momentous one was, settled. Now the fact was that by far the most bewildered party in the whole transaction was the prime mover, young Joseph himself. As I told you, he had not the remotest expectation of receiving the money, and when he stood two hours afterwards beside Mr. Fenton with the $25 actually in his hand, he was as one dazed, and gazed first at it and then at the giver. He had never been a trustworthy boy you will remember, and he had never been trusted. This was actually the first time in his life that he had ever held money in his hand that he was to do with as he chose. I would go with the

Starting point is 08:49:21 boy and buy the tent for him and make sure that he was not deceiving you. If you don't, he will be as likely to buy cakes and lemonade for all the boys in the grove as anything else. This was Mrs. Fenton's parting advice, but her husband shook his head. No, if we have made up our minds to trust him, let's trust him. I'll act as though I expected as a matter of course that he was going to do just what he said, and maybe it will astonish him into doing it. He was right about the astonishment. About that little matter, Joe, Mr. Fenton had said, beckoning him from across the lawn, where he stood leaning listlessly against a tree, his hands in his pockets. Joe came willingly, roguishly. Joe came willingly, roguishly,

Starting point is 08:50:07 he expected fun. Mr. Fenton had cooked up a way of good-naturedly saying, no. This was the way the boy put it to himself, and he was curious to see how he would do it. About that little matter, Joe, I've decided that I ought not to let you have so much money without your father's consent. He might not like it, you know, and of course you would never pay me back, and I can't afford to lose it. Would he be likely to say it that way? Joe thought fast, but had he thought fast, but had he had to pay me back, and I can't afford to lose it. He would he be likely to say it. Joe thought fast, only gotten thus far when the sentence was finished. I've decided to invest with you. Here's the $25, and here is a note for you to sign that you will pay me the whole with interest at the end of 20 days, for I suppose you will be ready to pay by the time the assembly closes. Now if you will sign the note, we'll be all ship-shape, and I hope you'll succeed." Joe examined the note

Starting point is 08:51:02 curiously, read it slowly, turned it over, and examined the smooth surface. Whose security? He asked at last. Your word and your name. I'll risk it, my boy. I'm a poor man, as you know very well, and I can't afford to lose even $25, but I'll try it, and I believe if I lose it, it won't be your fault. A curious lump came into Joseph Ward's throat, a curious fluttering in his breath. He felt his pulses quicken. Somebody had trusted him, and that a man. A curious fluttering. He man, a businessman, trusted him, Joe Ward, the spendthrift, the good for not. And Mr. Fenton was a man not given to trusting everybody, a shrewd man not easily deceived. Joe knew that. Mr. Fenton, you, you won't repent this. It was every word the poor fellow could say,

Starting point is 08:51:58 and he turned and walked rapidly away. It's something in the atmosphere of this queer place, he muttered. End of Chapter 25. Chapter 26 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibrovoc's recording is in the public domain. The Center of the Circle 5 o'clock of a lovely summer afternoon, an August afternoon, one of the sort that receives different descriptions

Starting point is 08:52:32 according to different localities in which people happen to be. In the large cities, it was sweltering. In central and inland towns, it was a very warm. day, and in Chautauqua it was perfectly charming. A brisk shower, lasting only long enough to subdue the dust, had strewn the leaves and grasses with pearls and made fairyland of every wooded avenue. Sometime before five o'clock, many feet had trodden the avenues leading more directly to the hall. Ten minutes before the five o'clock bell rang, every chair in the hall was taken. It was to many of the audience a momentous occasion.

Starting point is 08:53:12 the first round table gathering of the CLSC. To a student of human nature, this was an interesting audience. Not by any means young faces all of them. On the contrary, almost the first thing that would have struck a looker on was the large numbers of middle-aged men and women sprinkled in among blooming girls and beardless youths.

Starting point is 08:53:34 The next point of interest would have been the evident satisfaction of the groups in being just where they were, a look of pleased expect to, was apparent on nearly every face, and they exchanged smiles and bows and cordial greetings without regard to the rules of formality. A large gathering, remarked one middle-aged man, decided increase on the first meeting of last year. Do you suppose these people are all members of the circle? Well, perhaps not all, but I shouldn't wonder if a large number of them were,

Starting point is 08:54:08 some way they look like it. Then immediately he addressed the circle. gentleman on his right. Do you belong to the circle, sir? Now the gentleman proved to be none other than our friend Mr. Fenton. He had strayed away from all the members of his party, and was at that moment indulging in the feeling, dismal, to a man who was unaccustomed to being much away from home, that he was surrounded by a large company and was yet alone. He started suddenly on being addressed, and had some ado to bring his thoughts back to the present, and answer in the affirmative. Glad to see you then. We CLSC people are all friends you know. I am Mr. Preston of New York, and this is Mr. Burns of Iowa. Thus pressed, Mr. Fenton succeeded in

Starting point is 08:54:56 remembering his own name and place of residence. The three gentlemen shook hands cordially and were soon in full tide of talk concerning the merits of the literary circle of which they were members, and the advantages on every side to be found at Chautil. The whole scheme is worthy of its originator, said Mr. Preston heartily, and I do not know that I could say anything more. I admire Dr. Vincent as one of the most far-seeing men of the age. This scheme of his is going to do more for the men and women of the present generation than anything outside of positive religious effort that has ever been attempted. I think so, assented his friend heartily. One reason why I like it is the fact that

Starting point is 08:55:42 is not confined to the young people. The two divisions of society are being welded together by this very scheme. Don't you know that society is at work divorcing young people from those in middle life? We have our separate social gatherings and our separate religious gatherings. I have sometimes been afraid that the passion for separateness would grow until we had our separate churches, one for the young people and one for their fathers and mothers. There is too much of it. Parents feel it I think keenly. Their sons and daughters are being educated to seek their pleasures and their pursuits away outside of the parent's line of influence. That is one great reason of my admiration of this scheme. Here the sons and their fathers, the daughters and their mothers, are invited

Starting point is 08:56:29 and encouraged to work and talk and plan together. My daughter and I have been reading biology together this spring, and my son, in business about a hundred miles away, has been reading the same. We have corresponded concerning our opinions, and talked the thing up when he came down home, and have had a good time. Being drawn together as no common interest outside of our Christian faith has drawn us since they were children. Haven't you experienced something of those advantages, Mr. Fenton? Yes, said Mr. Fenton, with great heartiness, thinking of Robert, and of the talk they had had together that very morning about the lecture in astronomy. me. Just then strolled in Jack Butler and took a seat nearly in front of them. Why Jack Butler, who still affected to despise the whole Chautauqua scheme as superficial and destined not to last,

Starting point is 08:57:23 should have come to the roundtable is perhaps a mystery. He recognized Mr. Fenton by a careless nod, that gentleman not being of sufficient importance in his estimation to bestow much of his valuable notice upon. I have observed that young man several times, said Mr. Preston, inclining his head toward Jack. He seems to hover on the outside of things. Do you know him, Mr. Fenton? On being informed who he was, and from what place, Mr. Preston expressed a desire to be introduced on the plea that he had a general interest in young men. So Mr. Fenton, much doubting whether Jack would approve, still found courage to touch his august shoulder.

Starting point is 08:58:07 and make the desired presentation. The two strangers were genial, and Jack was stiff. He was one of that unfortunate class who live in the belief that every person is inferior to them until he proves the contrary. You do not belong to our circle, I think, Mr. Preston said, and Jack shrugged his elegant shoulders and shook his head. I have never found leisure for such an entertainment, he said superciliously. I am a hard student, and am preparing to become a harder one as I expect to take up law. The society you have here seems to afford a good deal of amusement to certain classes of people, but there are those you know who have no time for amusement. The shadow of a smile flitted for a moment over the gentleman's face,

Starting point is 08:58:57 but he made courteous answer. Still, some of the studies taken up in the CLSC act as a sort of intellectual pastime to a hard student, affording him recreation and mental stimulus at the same time, and giving him a rare opportunity to sharpen his intellect against those of others in a social way. It may be a very good thing for self-made men, and for those who have had no other opportunity, said Jack condescendingly. I have somewhat changed my mind in regard to it, since I see that some who were supposed to be hopeless are really learning something. For the the masses it may do very well, though even then it has defects that perhaps offset all the advantages. There is great danger of a little so-called learning, Mr. Preston. Still, we give them

Starting point is 08:59:47 the benefit of all they can get. But of course, those who have had the superior advantages of the best schools and colleges can be only bored by the whole thing. After which lofty deliverance, Jack considered his duty done toward those evidently self-made men, and turned from them and gave himself up to the thoughtful twisting of his mustache. At that moment appeared young Robert Fenton, his face full of suppressed satisfaction of some sort. Coming to his father's side, out of hearing of the two gentlemen, but in direct line with Jack Butler's ear, he spoke in a boy's poorly suppressed whisper. Father, Mr. Bennett is two or three seats behind you, and he won't wants to know if you can't hunt up an excuse of some sort for introducing him to Judge Preston.

Starting point is 09:00:35 He says he has wanted to know him for the last three years. Judge Preston, repeated Mr. Fenton in a maze. Where is he? Who is he? How could I introduce him? Why, he is that gentleman right beside you, the one with glasses. You have been talking with him ever so long. Mr. Bennett says he is one of the most prominent lawyers in New York. Poor Jack Butler! He twisted his mustache until the ends were like fine cords. To have made such a mistake! To have talked his platitudes about self-made men and advantages and law studies before Judge Preston.

Starting point is 09:01:16 For he too recognized the eminent name as soon as the title was attached. To what depths of humiliation was this horrible Chautauqua literary and scientific circle destined to sink him? Before he had time to compose his nerves or decide upon a course of action that should restore his self-satisfaction, a little rustle through the circle announced the coming of its chief. He could not have been other than gratified by the sight of the many eager, smiling faces raised expectantly to him. His sense of gladness over the, even at this early day, grand result of his experiment, showed in his voice and in his first hearty words. It is good to be here.

Starting point is 09:02:01 I greet you as members of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. When the members of classes belonging to the several years were called upon to rise, the two distinguished lawyers nodded their satisfaction to each other over the large number that responded. More than that, strangers sitting beside each other, thus made aware of their fraternity, as they resumed their seats, cordially held out hands of greeting which were as cordially clasped. These little aside scenes, not announced on the program, were going on all over the hall, making hearts that a few minutes

Starting point is 09:02:36 before had felt lonely beat faster with a sense of companionship and mutual interest. Then the familiar talk went on. It was the circle's opportunity to find fault with its leaders, and they made good use of the occasion. I like that church, said a man. speaking of a certain denomination, because they give folks a chance to talk back at the minister. Perhaps something of this spirit animated the good-natured grumblers in the hall that day. Now was their chance to talk back at those who had been directing them for the past year. There was the utmost freedom. Have no undue modesty, urged Dr. Vincent, or timidity about stating your difficulties,

Starting point is 09:03:20 if they reflect upon the secretary or the publishers or the president, talk away. We are anxious to be right, better to be right than to be president, and we want from your wisdom to grow wise. I don't see what fault they can have to find, murmured Caroline. It seems to me that the system is nearly perfect. I have nothing to say. I have, declared her companion, and he shouted out his complaint. There is an occasional lack of agreement between the large book and the Chautauqua textbook, as, for instance, in Meravel's history.

Starting point is 09:03:58 Dr. Vincent's instant and grave reply, that he shall have to call Dr. Marevel's attention to that, and have him set it right, called forth bursts of laughter from those who knew that the speaker was himself, the author of the little textbook referred to. "'It is easy enough to grumble,' said Judge Preston. If that is what he wants, I can help. I had to wait for two weeks for my copy of Maravale.

Starting point is 09:04:24 And he called out, A failure to have the books published as announced is one of our troubles. Now, said Dr. Vincent, let me tell you a story. Take Maravale's Rome to found it on. One morning the publishers of that book received an order after this fashion. We want you tomorrow to send up a thousand copies of Maravale's Rome. They look at each other. Why, they say, we haven't 300 copies of that book in stock.

Starting point is 09:04:52 Every press is busy getting out new books already promised. We can't possibly fill this order under 10 days. But before the 10 days have passed, incomes an order for another thousand. Then some Western publisher writes for 500, and another for 200 or 100, and the publishers wake up one morning to find orders for 7,000 copies of Maravale.

Starting point is 09:05:16 What on earth is the matter? Amid the outburst of applause and the laughter that greeted this explanation, Judge Preston said to Mr. Fenton, I'm glad I grumbled, aren't you? There is nothing like a chance to find fault to open people's mouths. There were plenty to talk, and the replies that they received were prompt, clear, and good-naturedly given. In utmost good humor, at the close of the half-hour, the circle adjourned. Most of their troubles swept away by being let behind the scenes.

Starting point is 09:05:47 and permitted to see the troubles surging over those who had been trying to serve them. The fact is it is easier to sit at home and growl over the mistakes that other people make than it is to correct your own, declared one gray-haired man as he passed down the aisle. I guess they are doing the best they can for us. I won't fret if my next volume is twenty minutes behind time. A general greeting time followed the more formal meeting. people who had passed each other in the avenues as strangers now concluded to shake hands and be acquainted. We ought to wear badges, said a cheery-faced old gentleman, shaking the hand of a pretty girl.

Starting point is 09:06:29 Here we young people all belong to the same circle, and there is no means of our knowing it until we stumble upon each other at the round table. It is suggestive of another thought, said a third gentleman holding out his hand. I have been wondering how many of us. us are children of the same family traveling towards home and failing to recognize the kinship on the way. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. Sometimes I am in a hurry for the name to be put there, so that my brothers and sisters may all know me. I belong to both circles, said a middle-aged woman, turning to the speaker. I'm a CLSC,

Starting point is 09:07:11 reading up my Meravale and all that to keep company with my boy, while he plight. and I bake and churn. We always finish up the day with a chapter in the book, and a talk with the elder brother. That is the way to get the very best out of the circle. Just behind her stood Mrs. Fenton. She had reached forth her hand, desiring to grasp that of the plain-faced gray-eyed woman, but instinctively she drew it back with a little sigh. She could not claim kinship in that higher sense. What if she and her boy Robert finished up the day with a chapter from the book and a talk with the elder brother. Young Robert, meantime, was hovering near his father on his face in eager, pleased light. Other men, grand-looking, with massive

Starting point is 09:07:59 brains and scholarly foreheads, were standing near, chatting familiarly, shaking hands with Judge Preston, who was saying to right and left of him, Mr. Fenton, Dr. Howard, and, Mr. Fenton, Professor Burton, a member of Professor Montice's local circle. And his father was bowing and smiling, returning the cordial greetings, and joining in the conversation. In every sense, one with these men, while Jack Butler hovered on the outskirts and heard the names. Young Robert was but a boy, not advanced enough in real manhood to keep this last thought from affording him a dash of amusement. His father, turning just after some specially honored introduction, caught the light in the boy's eyes and laid his hand caressingly on Robert's shoulder.

Starting point is 09:08:47 It was a pleasant thing to the father to feel that his young son was unmistakably proud of him. Is this your son? asked Professor Burton, and behold, his hand was stretched to clasp young Roberts. An embryo CLSC, I suppose? Yes, and an enthusiast about the whole subject. laughed his father. Good for you, my boy. See that you join us as soon as your special school days are over. The CLSC will almost have encircled the world by that time.

Starting point is 09:09:19 Meantime, my young friend, I hope you remember that there is nothing to hinder you from belonging to the circle of Christian workers. So they were more than literary, more than scientific, many of these great men. Their splendid minds had bowed in lowliness before the cross of Christ, and they counted it an honor to be numbered among his followers. Be sure that this fact was not lost upon the keen-eyed boy who was watching every word they said with such eager admiration. They are certainly greater men than Kent Monteeth, he said to himself as he hovered in the background and listened, and the unspoken comment of his mind was that one or the other of them was certainly mistaken in regard to the Bible and the man, Christ Jesus.

Starting point is 09:10:07 End of Chapter 26. Chapter 27 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. I mean it, and I mean it forever. It was a different scene that the White Pillared Hall of Philosophy viewed next. I wonder if the story of all the varying events which have transpired under that fair building will ever be written. It was the pretty Amy who was prominent in this one. Even Mrs. Fenton admitted that she grew prettier as the days went by.

Starting point is 09:10:46 Her companion was not James Ward on this particular morning, but Mrs. Fenton herself. As that lady emerged with flushed cheeks from some domestic task in the little kitchen and brushed her hair, she expressed her mind to Caroline. What do you suppose that little pink and white child wants of me this morning? She kidnapped me in the hall last night, and asked me if I wouldn't take a little bit of of a walk with her all alone, just as early as I could. "'Who, Amy?' "'Yes, Amy, and I'll venture that pail of blackberries

Starting point is 09:11:20 "'that she and James have made complete idiots of themselves, "'and she wants to confess the fact to me, "'and get me to negotiate with her mother. "'If these two simpletons have engaged themselves to each other, "'they ought to be drowned a little in the lake, "'a mere boy and girl. "'She away back in her teens, and he worse. A boy in his teens is twenty years younger than a girl of the same age anyway,

Starting point is 09:11:45 but I just expect it. What am I to do? I don't see how you can do anything, Caroline said with troubled face. If I were her mother, I would try hard to bring her to a sense of the ridiculousness of it all, but I don't see how we are any of us to blame. Yes, that's the trouble. Her father and mother will blame us, blame me at least, because she was put specially in my care.

Starting point is 09:12:12 I wish I had been asleep when I said I would take care of her, but how was I to help her being a simpleton since she was born one? I hadn't the least idea that James Ward would be guilty of any such folly. Were they intimate before they came here, Caroline? He used occasionally to walk home with her from the circle, Caroline said thoughtfully, but I never gave the matter any thought. Her mother knew all about it, for I met her mother,

Starting point is 09:12:38 them one day walking together, Amy and her mother and James. They all seemed equally pleasant, so of course I didn't think of it twice, but here it is different. We feel in a sense responsible for one so young, and I've tried hard to have Amy realize that she ought not to be so much in company with James while away from her father and mother. She has been doing better for a few days, I think. Well, she's going to do worse this morning, you may depend, and I'm sure I don't know what to say to the little dunce. I wish she were at home with her mother. I'm glad I haven't any girls to bring up. They are worse than boys, I believe, though James is quite as foolish as she. If my Robert ever gets to parading around in this fashion, I don't know what I

Starting point is 09:13:25 shall do. The only young woman he cares about as yet is you, Caroline, and I feel comparatively safe about that. Saying which, half laughing, half vexed and wholly troubled, the motherly woman said her son had in order, took her son umbrella, and joined the small fair creature in buff who stood outside waiting. "'It is good in you,' said the little Amy, "'to leave all your cares and take a walk with me this morning. I hope it hasn't inconvenienced you.' "'Oh, no,' said Mrs. Fenton, resolving on being as cordial and as gentle as she could,

Starting point is 09:14:03 and try her powers of influence over the child to bring her back to common sense. We have dinner all planned, and Caroline is managing it. She is worth half a dozen of me at any time. Caroline is a grand girl, Amy, and she will make a grand woman. She hasn't fritted away her girlhood on follies. She is fresh for whatever life can offer her womanhood. I don't like to see little girls play at being women. It not only spoils them for ever being true women, but spoils their enjoyment afterwards. She looked keenly at the foolish face. beside her and wondered, did Amy understand what she meant? There was a heightened color about the fair young face, but at the same time there was a calm in her eyes and a sweetness about her

Starting point is 09:14:51 mouth that gave no sense of being consciously wrong or even foolish. Mrs. Fenton did not know whether to be encouraged or the contrary. If Amy were so much a child that she could not reason, what was to be said to her? They turned down the broad and seemed to be. singularly pleasant avenue leading directly to the hall. Amy seemed instinctively to bend her steps in that direction, and Mrs. Fenton, with curious surmising's, followed her lead. She knew that the child walked that way every morning, sometimes quite early. The hall was deserted now, the early lecture having been concluded, and the crowd's gone elsewhere. The cool lake breezes were playing through the building, and an air of summer calm rested.

Starting point is 09:15:38 on it. Have you ever been here before this morning? Mrs. Fenton asked as they helped themselves to chairs. Noam, I didn't come to the eight o'clock lecture. So many people say they are grand, but I don't know enough to enjoy them, so I save my strength. Oh, yes'm, I was here very early this morning, before most people were up. I like the hall then almost better than at any other hour of the day. She seemed in no haste to reach the special object of this walk, if it had a special object, but talked in a desultory manner of the lectures, the concerts, and whatnot, while Mrs. Fenton, restlessly eager to go to the auditorium for the morning meeting, heartily wished that the conference were over.

Starting point is 09:16:26 Did you hear the lecture yesterday afternoon? questioned Amy, calling her companion back from inward fuming. Of course I did. spoken with energy. I would not have missed it for a great deal. Wasn't it just splendid? I think I liked it better than anything yet, except the children's meetings. You don't know how nice they are. You don't attend them, do you? Well, Mrs. Fenton, you would be surprised to see how much the little things are learning, and not only the little things. I suppose I ought to have known long ago all those lessons about the Bible, but I didn't. When I went to second,

Starting point is 09:17:05 school, I used to be very much mortified when the teacher gave me a reference to find in one of those little bits of books in the Old Testament, because I could never find the place. I have fumbled and fumbled and grown red in the face over it many a time, but I never thought of learning them until I went to the children's meetings. They have such an interesting way of remembering their position that I learned it too. Now the truth is that Mrs. Fenton herself had been annoyed more than once in that very manner. Hosea and Joel, and Amos and Obadiah, and all the list of books, with few leaves, were mixed in inextricable confusion in her mind. It was only at the last meeting of their circle that someone asked her to refer to a prophecy

Starting point is 09:17:51 in Micah, and she looked her Bible over before the Psalms and after the Psalms, unable to determine where Micah was located. So, while she laughed over Amy's story, she also blushed and resolved to look in on that children's meeting the very next morning and see if mayhap she might learn to locate Micah. Although a Chautauquan of several weeks standing, she had not yet heard of Ho-joam Objomina. And even if she had, I much doubt whether she would have been able without help to discover its connection with the minor prophets. Dr. Vincent is a splendid teacher for little children, continued Amy with enthusiasm.

Starting point is 09:18:35 Dr. Vincent, with a start of surprise, does he lead the children's class? What is there that that man doesn't do, I wonder? Oh, it isn't our Dr. Vincent, the leader of everything you know, but a brother of his. He looks like him and acts like him some, and when you don't see his face, the voices are so much alike

Starting point is 09:18:56 that you would think that they were the same person. It was wonderful how eager was, Amy's interest in children's meetings, and indeed any other meeting that she could think of this morning. Mrs. Fenton looked at her watch and declared it to be growing late. They must hasten back, or they would lose the grand opening at the auditorium, which she wouldn't miss for anything. Thus called to order, Amy, with deeply flushed face and downcast eyes and sweet lips that quivered a little, and lower tones, said, I have something to tell you, Mrs. Fenton. Have you?"

Starting point is 09:19:34 Despite her good resolves, the lady's voice was dry and unsympathetic. How could she be tender and encouraging when she felt it her duty to apply harsh measures, to unhesitatingly explained to the child that she was a simpleton, and ought to be sent home to her mother by the next boat? I think Amy's sensitive nature felt the coldness of the tone, for her eyes drooped lower. She went on hurriedly. Yesam, I felt as though I ought to tell you, and indeed I wanted to, though I hardly knew how to do it. I need your help. I am so young and ignorant.

Starting point is 09:20:11 There was a tender pleading note in the almost baby lips, but Mrs. Fenton, in spite of herself, felt severe. It was so silly. Why, the child wasn't so very much older than her Robert. I am not sure, but the thought of Robert helped her to feel severe. Young people are expected to be ignorant of a good many things and to remain so, she said coldly. Their time for knowledge will come fast enough. It is the height of folly to hurry one's life. The drooping blue eyes were raised a moment to her face in grave questioning,

Starting point is 09:20:48 then they fell again. Yes, she said simply, I don't expect to do great things, of course, nor to be of much importance in any way. Yet there are things that I ought to know and to do perhaps. You see, it isn't a passing fancy that I may forget tomorrow. I am not like that at all. It is a settled thing, settled for life.

Starting point is 09:21:11 I am glad she was not looking up just then. She would have seen Mrs. Fenton's lip curl. A compassionate curl it was, though, after all. As if they didn't all talk so, silly girls. But she began to feel sorry for the child by her side, who was trying before her time to be a woman. How could she best speak so as to help her feel that this was probably not for life at all, but a schoolgirl whim that should be laid aside at least for years? If I were you, Amy, she said suddenly, and with vigor, I would bring my good

Starting point is 09:21:46 sense to bear in this matter. I would resolutely resolve to think no more about it until I was twenty, then if you are of the same mind, it will be time enough to think about such serious responsibilities. She was looking full at the pretty child now, anxious more than she could tell as to the result of her words. There was an unmistakable deepening of color in Amy's cheeks, but the voice was steady, steadier than it had been at all, and her wide-open blue eyes, full of sweet gravity, were leveled at the matron. I cannot, she said, simply, I have made a solemn pledge. On my knees in this very hall, I promised to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ forever. Besides Mrs. Fenton, I might not live to be twenty, then it would be all

Starting point is 09:22:35 too late. And indeed, indeed, I would not take back my pledge if I could. It is very sweet to belong to him, body and soul. I mean it, and I mean it forever. Who shall describe to you Mrs. Fenton's state of mind. What an egregious blunder she had made. And when one came to think of it, what a stupendous blunder it was. Here had she actually been seeming to counsel a young girl to wait until she was twenty before she gave her heart to Christ. The blood rushed violently into her face. The first inclination to laugh passed suddenly and left an almost necessity for tears. "'Amy, child!' she cried. "'I do not know what I have been talking about.

Starting point is 09:23:21 "'Forget every word I have said. "'I did not understand you in the least. "'I mean I thought you were talking about something else, "'something entirely different.' "'No, ma'am,' said Amy in grave innocence. "'I only mean that I belong to Christ now, "'and I thought I ought to tell someone older than I "'who could advise me.

Starting point is 09:23:42 "'There are things that I might do if I knew how, and there are a great many things I suppose that I ought not to do, but I am so young and so ignorant about it all that I shall keep making mistakes. I felt the need of help. If you would be so good as to help me, Mrs. Fenton? Perhaps Mrs. Fenton will never feel so grieved and humiliated again as she did in that hour under that cry for help. She was womanly and motherly and tender in all her feelings and impulses,

Starting point is 09:24:12 despite the irritation which she had suffered to creep over her concerning this little girl. It was but a surface irritability after all. Had the child been sick, no mother could have watched over her with more careful tenderness than Mrs. Fenton would have brought to the emergency. Skillful tenderness, too. She was a deft-handed woman. She knew both how and what, and the best way of doing. Had Amy wanted to know how to fit her next pretty dress, or loop her skirt, or clear starch her laces, Mrs. Fenton could and would have given prompt and wise assistance. Had it been the question of preparing almost any article of food in a housekeeper's list, this matron would have brought skillful hands to the work. But to be

Starting point is 09:25:00 called upon to direct a young Christian what to do for Christ, and what not to do that would be called against him, this indeed was work from which she shrank back appalled. There was a silence so complete and so long-lasting that Amy looked up in timid inquiry and found that her companion's eyes were full of tears. You have come to the wrong person, dear child, she said, and her voice was tremulous. I don't know anything about it. I do not belong to him myself. It is a shame to me to have to admit it. I am glad for you, Amy. I know it is a good way. My mother was a Christian, and she used to hope that I would become one while I was young, but I never did. I wish I could help you, dear child,

Starting point is 09:25:47 but I don't know how. All I know is to be very glad that you have made so early and so good a choice. If I were your mother, I should be more glad of that than of any news that could come to me from you. Not one yourself, said Amy, in wide-eyed wonder. Why, Mrs. Fenton, I thought you were. Once more Mrs. Fenton felt humiliated. It was true that Amy had sought her out as the proper person with whom to talk, without giving a thought to the possibility of her not being in sympathy. She knew her as a woman who always occupied the fifth seat from the front in their church, who was nearly always in her seat, be the weather pleasant or forbidding. She knew her as one who superintended the making of delicious coffee at all the church festivals. as one who helped set tables and decorate rooms when anything for the church was being done. She knew her as one to whom the girls were always appealing in the sewing circle. Mrs. Fenton, do you turn this up so to him? Mrs. Fenton, is this the way to put in this sleeve?

Starting point is 09:26:56 Let's ask Mrs. Fenton, she will know. Mrs. Fenton, how does this little apron go together? Amy herself never stayed to communion. How was she to know that the breast, bread and wine were never offered to the fentons. She did not go to prayer meeting herself, how could she be expected to know that the fentons were strangers there? She knew of this woman only as the one who seemed to be prominent in every good work of the church, and on terms of intimacy with all such. Who so proper for Amy, with her newfound hopes and wishes to confide

Starting point is 09:27:31 in, as the woman under whose motherly care she had come to Chautauqua? You should have chosen in Caroline for a confidante, said Mrs. Fenton with a great throb of sorrow at her heart, and a twinge almost like jealousy as she thought, what if her boy Robert were looking for help in the same direction? She could not give it, nor could his father. The walk back to the cottage was a quiet one. About Mrs. Fenton there was a sense of embarrassment. The foolish little girl on whom she had hitherto looked down had suddenly soared above her world, into realms of thought that she was unable to reach. She must actually look upon this dainty bit of flesh and blood

Starting point is 09:28:15 with respect hereafter, for Mrs. Fenton respected a real Christian wherever found, and something about Amy, a sort of sweet dignity and quiet, such as she had never noticed in her before, stamped her at once in Mrs. Fenton's eyes as one of royal adoption. The matron had suddenly forgotten her anxiety to be off to the morning meeting,

Starting point is 09:28:38 and walked slowly alongside the fair young girl in great doubt as to what to say. Something ought to be said to her. Have you talked with anyone about this? She asked her, hesitating over the words as one painfully unacquainted with the dialect. Only Mr. Ward, Amy said quietly. And indeed she could hardly say that she talked with him. It was rather that he talked with her. He pointed out the way for her,

Starting point is 09:29:08 made it so plain that she could not but understand, and himself led the way. "'He, too,' said Mrs. Fenton. She gave a little start, and there was a flush on her face. Was she glad? Yes, really and truly. Looking on, she knew enough of the power of the religion of Jesus Christ to be sure that an actually enlisted soldier, serving under his banner, was sure of victory.

Starting point is 09:29:35 Then who should rejoice more heartily than she, to hear that the boy whom she had mothered in her heart for these many months was safe. Then what about that twinge that was like pain? Oh, me, the real mother could not but have a heart spasm over the thought that the boy to whom she had given just a small corner of her heart, a small fraction of her care, had strided ahead and reached the rock, leaving her Robert still behind among the breakers. Yet, remember, she had never in her life pointed out the rock to him, nor urged his feet to hasten to it. Inconsistent mother. It was a difficult story to tell Caroline. Remember, she had not understood the language. You are late, said that young woman,

Starting point is 09:30:24 as Mrs. Fenton and Amy emerged from under the trees and came into sunlight, Amy passing the two with a bow and smile, and going directly to her room. All the world has gone to meeting. I waited for you and the bread. The last loaf is out of the oven, and Miss Butler says she will look out for the meat. She is not going out this morning. Are you ready now? I don't know, replied Mrs. Fenton in a slow, day's tone, and Caroline, looking at her, was partly amused, partly troubled. Evidently, the little Amy had left her in a peculiar state of mind.

Starting point is 09:31:01 Did you decide what to say to the child, and did all you could say do any good? No, or rather than that. Yes, oh, I don't know. And then Mrs. Fenton laughed a little. I am a simpleton, Caroline. It is all right. The little thing is just as sweet as she can be, and wiser than the most of us. And as for James, I don't believe I will worry about him anymore. I only wish my boy were as safe. Whereupon, to Caroline's utter dismay, the usually bright-eyed, cheery-faced woman lifted to her gaze eyes that were swimming in tears. End of Chapter 27. Chapter 28 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Them Christian Commission Folks The new houses, plants for which had been placed in Mr. Tucker's hands,

Starting point is 09:32:01 were progressing finally, Paul Adams having proved so faithful a worker that his employer daily congratulated himself on having brought the boy along. A very industrial, man was Mr. Tucker. Few of the meetings beguiled either him or his workmen from Saw and Plain. But there came a day in which he announced at Day Don that he shouldn't do a stroke of work, neither need his hands. It is a regular Fourth of July Day, he said triumphantly.

Starting point is 09:32:33 Two or three of them mixed in together. Them Christian commission folks were the greatest fellows we had in the war. I used to read about them, and our folks used to send them things and I thought then I'd go to hear them talk whenever I got a chance. By this you will understand that the Christian Commission folks were having a reunion at Chautauqua. To that meeting came Paul Adams, hovering on the outskirts. It was the first entire day that had been taken from the two houses for meetings, and Paul was not yet decided whether to devote it to the meeting or to the study of Latin.

Starting point is 09:33:10 You will remember that he had pitched into that, to use an expressive phrase borrowed from his friend Joe, and that he had brought to it all the energy and more skill than he gave to Mara Vale. Already Professor Holmes had singled him out as one determined to learn, and was giving him just the hints that he needed to make his progress very rapid.

Starting point is 09:33:33 So Paul was jealous of a whole day, and had almost resolved on spending it over his book without going to the auditorium at all. The extraordinary crowds that were, pushing in that direction, however, had beguiled him into going down to look on for a minute, then he fully meant to return to his Latin. He arrived at the big tree, against which he leaned, just as a voice was saying, Mr. Chairman, it is fitting that this reunion should take place at Chautauqua, which is another Christian commission. The words conveyed no special meaning to Paul Adams,

Starting point is 09:34:08 who had no enthusiasm for anything Christian, but the voice he recognized, as Dr. Vincense, and the spell of Chautauqua was sufficiently upon him to make him wait to hear whatever that voice had to say. So he squared off against the tree for better support and listened, and by the time the closing sentence had been reached, I take great pleasure in behalf of the officers of the Chautauqua Sunday School Assembly in bidding you welcome this morning to our lakeside, to our groves, to our temples, to our homes, to the ringing of our bells, the singing of our songs, the breathing of our prayers, the clasping of hands, the union of hearts, and the furtherance in every possible way of an intelligent Christian unity among all those

Starting point is 09:34:55 who live under our flag and who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. No hands rang together more heartily, or held to the cheering longer than did those of Paul Adams, albeit he had never, in the sense that the speaker meant, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He intended fully to return to his Latin as soon as Dr. Vincent sat down, but of course he waited for the Chautauqua salute with which General Fisk was greeted. He even fumbled in each pocket for a handkerchief, and drew it forth, somewhat soiled indeed, but loyal to the occasion. How could he help adding another to the white wings? He had no special knowledge of the name, General Fisk, and I think would have turned away directly the salute was over, had not

Starting point is 09:35:43 a young man at his left questioned another after this fashion. Who is General Fisk anyhow? Whereupon Young Bennett, who stood with Jack Fenton just back of Paul, commented thus, "'Shouldn't you suppose that any person who laid claim to the very slightest amount of general information would know General Fisk by name?' The half sneer which accompanied the words made Paul Adams resolved to stay and see if he could discover who General Fisk was. Not that he laid claim to a large amount of general information, but he had resolved some time

Starting point is 09:36:20 before this that his stock should be increased whenever opportunity afforded. Much to his disappointment, the general, whom everybody seemed so eager to honor, was not the next speaker, but Young Bennett again held him by saying, Ah, now we shall hear something grand. George H. Stewart always does a fine thing. Then it is my business to hear him do it, said Paul, squaring himself against the tree. A fellow who always does a fine thing ought to be worth hearing. But Paul Adams, although he was passably well posted in Merivale, was studying Latin with all his might, and had managed in the past few months to acquire considerable general information,

Starting point is 09:37:05 had yet neglected his early opportunities, such as they were, too entirely to be deeply interested in a speech that did not touch in some way the little knowledge that he possessed. Therefore, after standing first on one foot and then the other for a time, he was again on the point of leaving, when Mr. Stewart suddenly held aloft a sheet of paper and said, "'None of you have money enough to buy this letter.' "'My,' said Paul, and he looked at a look at a sheet of paper, and said, "'I, said Paul, and he looked about him on the vast audience. Unmistakably, there were those, many of them, who had plenty of money. What did the man mean? It is an autograph letter, continued the speaker. Paul actually did not know

Starting point is 09:37:49 what an autograph letter was. Let me tell you the immense difference between him and many another ignorant fellow of his age, and give you at the same time an incontrovertible proof that his mind had awakened and would not be likely to sleep again. He instantly determined to know, as soon as he came in contact with a dictionary, exactly what the word meant, and to that end he wrote it on a bit of chip with which he had been playing. Meantime, he was listening. When I am dead and gone, said the speaker, I hope it will sell for a hundred thousand dollars to some man to send the gospel of Christ to the heathen. It was written in the handwriting of a man you have heard of. The letter reads as follows. Executive Mansion, Washington, December

Starting point is 09:38:38 12, 1861. Reverend George H. Stewart, Chairman of Christian Commission, My dear sir, your letter of the 11th instant and accompanying plan, both of which are returned as a convenient mode of connecting this with them, have just been received. Your Christian and benevolent undertaking for the benefit of the soldiers is too obviously proper and praiseworthy to admit of any difference of opinion. I sincerely hope that the plan may be as successful in execution as it is just and general in conception. Your obedient servant, A. Lincoln. Now Paul Adams was by no means so lamentably ignorant as not to have heard of that name. You perhaps will remember that his weak and feeble little mother was a hero-worshipper, and one of her heroes had been Abraham Lincoln. There was scarcely a detail of

Starting point is 09:39:33 his homely early life, his wonderful career as a patriot and a president, and his tragic death, that she had not told over and over again to her boy, so no hands were more ready than the boys to cheer, and he needed nothing more to hold him to that tree. George H. Stewart had won his heart. Moreover, from that point in the address, as if some subtle instinct had told the speaker what a power his words were to be to one soul, he changed his manner of address and confined himself closely to incidents, thrilling, earnest, eager, such as the boy Paul could understand. He held up a five-pound note which he said the Bank of England tried to buy, but they had not money enough. It was the gift of a poor woman who sent it to Mr. Lincoln with the request that he would use it in buying Bibles for the soldiers. He sent it to Mr. Stewart, who told its story here and there until it had earned for the soldiers over $100,000.

Starting point is 09:40:36 Paul's eyes grew large and thoughtful, but there was something besides the immense sum of money that astonished him. It was the fact that so much importance was evidently attached to the giving of Bibles to the soldiers. Why should there be considered a connection between soldiers and Bibles? His thoughts went off on a sidetrack, reviewing this question. The speaker came into line again. Here is a testament, he said, holding up a little bruised and battered volume, that has been in Exeter Hall and Rome, Florence, Italy, and Paris, and has been examined by many, up to the Pope's very door.

Starting point is 09:41:15 He did not get hold of it. I was afraid to trust him with it. It was before the days when Italy was free, and I was told it was dangerous to carry a Bible in there. But I said I would risk that book, for I know it's history. Do you see that little hole there? The bullet went in at the last chapter of Revelation, and it passed through every chapter of the New Testament

Starting point is 09:41:38 until it reached the first chapter of Matthew, and all there was between the soldier and eternity was that lid. That was in the breast pocket of a testament, Confederate soldier in Tennessee, and it was sent to me as one of the treasures of the war. Bible again, muttered Paul. It began to be apparent that there was much in common between soldiers and the Bible. The magnitude of the figures presented next amazed him. The first year, said Mr. Stewart, our whole value in stores in cash came to $356,000, and we thought the millennium had come. The last four months gave us $2,260,000.

Starting point is 09:42:23 Immediately the newly awakened brains of the boy went to calculating, not only how much that would be in a year, but what he would do if he had, say half as much money as that. He came back to give attention to the speaker, just as he was explaining the method that the Christian Commission employed for recognizing soldiers who fell in battle. A piece of parchment called an identified, was given to each, on which, for instance, was printed the following.

Starting point is 09:42:52 I am John Smith, Company I, Regiment 34, Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps. And as John Smith is putting that around his neck, he reads on it these words. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Paul knew that verse. It was one of his mothers. It had been one of his in childhood. Again and again had his mother called for it in the twilight of a Sabbath evening and talked to him about the wonderful gift of a son until he well remembered that because it made him feel so dreadful to see her cry. He gruffly told her one evening that he was sick and tired of that verse and never meant to recite it again.

Starting point is 09:43:41 In his secret heart he had carried about the conviction that his mother stood alone in the fuss that she made about those things, and that it was not the sort of talk for boys. Looking about on this immense audience, and observing the tearful interest which it gave to these details, it became evident to Paul that he had reached mistaken conclusions. He walked slowly away from the meeting, kicking pebbles before him in a meditative way, and presently ran against James James Ward. That young man had seen little of his old associate since the special meetings commenced, so little that at times his conscience reproached him for making no effort to interest Paul in that which had become to him the most important of all topics. Well, he said interrogatively,

Starting point is 09:44:31 changing his quick step to accommodate Paul's slower mood. Been to the meeting, what do you think? It's all Bible, said Paul, still speaking in that meditative tone. All what? A little startled. That phase of the meeting had not impressed young Ward. He had asked the question that he did merely to start conversation, not intending to introduce abruptly the subject about which he felt that he ought some time to talk with Paul.

Starting point is 09:45:02 All Bible. I supposed it would be about the war, but every single speaker had something to say about the Bible, as though it was the most important book in the world. As of course it is, said James. Why is it? All people don't think so. There are plenty of men, scholars, too, who don't believe in it at all. Don't you go to believing any such stuff as that, declared James, with a wise shake of his head. How many of the crowd gathered here this summer belong to that class, do you suppose?

Starting point is 09:45:36 It is plain to be seen that a great many of them are scholars, understanding the languages in which the book was written, and so able to judge for themselves. Now how many of these do you suppose you could find who don't believe every word there is in the Bible? How do you know they believe in it? Well, that isn't so easy to answer, unless I do it by asking the same question.

Starting point is 09:46:00 How do you know it? They show it somehow in their looks and actions, and you are just as sure of it as though you heard them say so. But I don't believe you can explain how you know. This argument Paul turned over in his mind in grave silence, and was somewhat surprised, after careful consideration, to discover that it was correct. Supposing that is so, he said after a pause, what does it prove? Proves a good deal to me. Look here, Paul, here is a book that ever so many men and women have read, folks who know very little, but they have got enough out of it

Starting point is 09:46:38 to make them over into new people. Then ever so many other men and women who know about all there is to learn out of books have read the same book and believed in it, and say that it has made them over too. Shows that it is a rather wonderful book now, doesn't it? Where did you get that? Questioned Paul. Got it from the North.

Starting point is 09:47:00 The normal class partly, and part of it I made up out of the talk I heard there. It is a good argument, you see. The normal class, what is that? Haven't you been to any of the meetings? Why, it is a class where they study up these questions and a good many others. There is a teacher who is well posted, and there is a good deal of general talk. I find them about as interesting as anything that is going on. Belong to the CLSC?

Starting point is 09:47:29 No, not. exactly, that is, you can be a member of both societies or either. No, it is a separate thing, but a great many who belong to the circle have joined the normal. When does it meet? questioned Paul, resolved then and there to look in on this new circle and get light on certain new ideas if he could. Have you seen anything of Joe? The brother presently asked him. Why, yes, said Paul, a gleam of fun lighting up a paper. pair of eyes that, now that they had ceased to be sleepy, were handsome. I saw him at the door of his tent trying to contrive a plan for setting up another cot. He has more tenants than he can

Starting point is 09:48:12 accommodate, and he talks of renting another tent. Joe has got into business, and he'll make money as sure as you live. End of Chapter 28. Chapter 29 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. What's in a name? The young student in Latin had fully resolved while at dinner that he would waste no more time on meetings, but would go at once to his den in the attic and give himself up to Latin for the entire afternoon. But he was beguiled therefrom by a chance remark to the effect that General Fisk would be the special speaker of the afternoon. This at once reminded him that he had not yet yet.

Starting point is 09:49:02 discovered who General Fisk was, and he determined to sacrifice so much of the hour as would be necessary to add this item to his general information. It happened, however, that all the rest of the world had also resolved on hearing General Fisk, and when Paul reached the auditorium, there was not even a vacant tree for him to lean against. He was perhaps 20 minutes in edging his way from seat to seat and from aisle to aisle, trying to get near enough to hear what the ringing voice was saying. At last, Fortune favored him, one of the numerous badged errand boys, who had a singular faculty for slipping noiselessly into places where apparently was no space, summoned silently a man who occupied a corner of a seat near the side of the platform, into which vacated

Starting point is 09:49:52 corner, Paul instantly slipped, thus coming within range of voice and eye. This was what he heard. Near to the platform there sat one with open brow and searching eye and a calm and judicial mind, one of the most persevering wisdom, one who had gathered an enviable fame in the field of conflict, who shared largely in the glory of gathering victory from defeat at Chikamauga, one who had given all that he had to the country, and who was too poor for the world to buy, General James A. Garfield of Ohio. Now Paul by reason of his education on street corners

Starting point is 09:50:32 knew well the sound of that name, but received in the loud and long-continued and tumultuous applause that followed its mention, his first intimation of how it was regarded by the cultured Christian world. He received also another lesson. It must be a big thing, he told himself, to be the kind of man that will set a whole world to cheering,

Starting point is 09:50:54 just as soon as your name is spoken. Isn't honest ambition to occupy as high a place in the estimation of a Christian public as you can climb to, a good thing? Certain new ambitions sprang to life that summer afternoon. You have by this time discovered that Paul Adams had not been educated as a listener. His untutored mind had a habit of going off on the slightest provocation into byways of its own, only coming back to the present as an unusually vigorous sentence or a familiar name recalled him. It was from one of these rovings that he came back to hear the words, I said I will go and bid Mr. Lincoln goodbye before going back to my command.

Starting point is 09:51:39 I went to the White House on Tuesday morning and passed into the great room where the throng met on those days who wanted to see the president. There sat foreign ministers and senators and members of Congress and contractors and judges, judges, all waiting for an audience. No one could get in. Mr. O'Leary, who used to attend the door and get some of you in for ten dollars apiece, came out and said that no one could see Mr. Lincoln that morning. Among the disappointed ones I saw a little old man, and I had met him there two or three evenings before trying to seek an audience with the president. This old man staggered away and sat down on the window-sill, the very picture of despair. I,

Starting point is 09:52:23 said, you seem to be in great sorrow, what is the matter? And he raised his eyes and said, Oh, I am in such trouble, sir. I asked him what it was, and he said, look at that package of papers. I saw that they were worn and torn and greasy. They had passed through ever so many headquarters and were covered with endorsements. This was his story. When the war broke out, he lived in East Tennessee. He had two boys, 16 and 18. they both went into the federal army. One of them was wounded in battle and taken to the hospital, and his youngest brother detailed to nurse him. The boy died, and the younger one, homesick and lonesome, had deserted and gone home to see his mother. It was at the time when

Starting point is 09:53:10 death was the penalty for desertion, and no one could mitigate the sentence but the president. The old man had been to that greatest of soldiers, who never made a mistake or lost a battle, General George H. Thomas, the commander of the Army of the Cumberland. He had written for the old father a letter to the president, begging him to interfere and save the boy. And, said the father, this is Tuesday, and my boy is to be shot on Friday. What shall I do? It was one of those sad stories,

Starting point is 09:53:43 one of a hundred sad stories that had made my heart sore, and I went into the private room of the President's Secretary. I knew him very well. and I said, John, I want to see the President. Why, said he, you cannot see him. I asked why not. Let me tell you, he said, but don't breathe it in Washington.

Starting point is 09:54:05 We are going to start for Annapolis in 20 minutes. The engine has been ordered. Stevens, Cameron, and Hunter are waiting for us at Fortress Monroe, and we are going to have peace. Said I, you don't say so. But Mr. Lincoln must not go down there until he has seen this old man. I'll write him a letter. And I wrote as follows, and the secretary took it in. My dear president, there is an old man out here. He has a sorrowful story, and I know you will hear it.

Starting point is 09:54:35 Will you see him a moment and oblige me? And I signed my name. In less time than it takes me to tell it, there came a message from Lincoln to let the old man in, and he turned his back on plenipotentiaries and senators and judges, and walked into the presence of Mr. Lincoln. Perhaps there was nothing at Chautauqua that Paul enjoyed more, on the whole, than he did, joining in the applause, which instantly followed this sentence. There was that in the manner in which the story had been told that brought the boy into keenest sympathy with the old man, and made him half-wild with joy over the thought that the father was actually admitted

Starting point is 09:55:15 to the presence of the president. "'I'd like to have been him,' he said aloud in glee and without regard to grammar. Without doubt there was a member of the circle within hearing to report this slip of the tongue at the next roundtable. "'Who, the old man?' "'This question from Joe, who had left his tent long enough to come and see what all this crowd was about, and had elbowed his way to Paul's side a few moments before. "'No,' half in disgust. "'The president.'

Starting point is 09:55:47 Oh, you aim high. I'd be contented now with being the fellow whose name on a piece of paper had power enough to open the closed doors and let the old man in. Yes, said Paul thoughtfully, that would do. I say, Paul, what gives these old fellows power to do such things? Brains, said Paul gravely. Money, said Joe emphatically, and I mean to have some of it. Maybe so, keep still now and listen. for the story was being continued.

Starting point is 09:56:20 I said to myself, I will see how this thing comes out, and I drew open the door just about an inch. That would have been curiosity and woman, but in man it was simply a spirit of inquiry, you know. There stood the great president, pale and sad, his great hand spread out on the table. The old man got very close before he saw him.

Starting point is 09:56:41 Then he said, Are you the man that General Fisk sent in here? I don't know who sent him. me, said the old man. Someone did. Now, said the president, tell me your story very quickly. So he told him the story, and Lincoln took the papers and said, I will send them to Judge Holt, and you can come tonight and see what the answer is. Ah, then the old man's heart sank within him. He just threw himself on the breast of the president and said, My God, Mr. President, this must be attended to now. My boy is to be shot on Friday.

Starting point is 09:57:17 How well I remember that wonderful look of the president. The wonderful look of sadness, which mellowed away at once into such perfect humor as he said. That reminds me of one of General Fisk's stories. Let me tell it to you. And he sat the old man down there by the table, and actually told him the story that I told you a few minutes ago, told it in as much detail as I did. At this point, Joe gave his friend an emphatic nudge, and said in a loud whisper, What was the story? I wasn't here.

Starting point is 09:57:51 Keep still, was whispered back. I'll tell you afterwards. And the speaker continued. He took three times as long to tell that story as it would have taken to read the old man's papers, and then he took an old quill pen that I would give a hundred dollars for this minute and wrote across that paper,

Starting point is 09:58:10 Let this boy be pardoned, A. Lincoln. Paul Adams, utterly unaccustomed as he was, to being moved by the power of simple eloquence, had not the least idea what was the matter with him. There was a curious choking sensation in his throat, and a tremulousness about his eyelids that made him think of his mother and of her ever-ready tears. Strangely enough, too, as his thoughts went off to that mother, all the tenderness of feeling that had been rising higher and higher within him since this story commenced, poured itself out just then in a strong mental resolution to do for that mother, he hardly knew what, he had no

Starting point is 09:58:51 idea how, but in some way he would be to her as grand a helper as ever Abraham Lincoln was to the old man. There was no use in thinking about Latin for the rest of this afternoon, every word that this man had to say he intended to hear. And now he was proceeding to embalm another name in the heart of Paul Adams, for at that moment, Whoever General Fisk should glorify would be forever haloed by the boy, Paul. I felt, said General Fisk, referring to his invitation to Chautauqua, that I would go a long way to clasp again the hand of the man who gave head and heart and fortune to the United States Christian Commission,

Starting point is 09:59:34 the man who this day greets you as the presiding officer of this meeting, George H. Stewart of Philadelphia. It was by his inspiration that the young men's, Christian associations of this country became the color-bearers in the army of the Lord, and hung the banner of the cross in every encampment and hospital. We had a legion of soldiers who marched forth with their Bibles in their knapsacks, praying as did Cromwell's Legion pray, and singing as the Swedes sung at Lutzen, when Gustavus Adelphus led them by his grand, powerful voice. By this man's attention and fortune, were all those millions raised of which he told you

Starting point is 10:00:15 so little this morning. We owe him more than to all others beside, and every soldier in the field who knew anything about it will bear me testimony that I speak the truth. It was my good fortune to see much and be with much of the work of the Christian Commission, to receive its messages and its messengers. I heard their voices in entreaty and exhortation as they broke upon us on the picket line and by the campfires, and especially around the graves of that multitude of known and unknown, who died that this government of the people, by the people, and for the people, might not perish from the earth. On fame's eternal camping ground, their silent tents are spread, and glory chants with solemn sound this bivouac of the dead.

Starting point is 10:01:04 Nor shall their glory be forgot, while fame her record keeps, and honor points the hallowed spot where valor's glory sleeps. Nor racks, nor chance, nor times remorseless doom shall dim one ray of holy light that gilds their glorious tomb. I do not think that Paul Adams had read a poem since the days in which he had spelled out for his mother's comfort, let dogs delight to bark and bite, for tis their nature too. It may have been a dim memory of this trying time that made him sneer at all poetry as stuff unworthy the notice of a fellow with an ounce of sense, But as he listened to the earnest voice and earnest words, there came to him the feeling that these smooth-flowing lines were different from anything he had ever heard before, and that from this time forth he would become a lover of poetry. Altogether, it had been a remarkable day to Paul Adams, forces, the power of which he by no means realized, had been stirred within him, and would not be likely to sleep again.

Starting point is 10:02:11 What a thing it would be to understand all about such a speech as that. This was what he said as he walked away with James Ward, in whose company he again found himself. What do you mean? questioned James, wonderingly. Why that? What I said? I'd like to understand all about it. Young Ward did not know whether to feel annoyed or to be patronizing. Was it to be presumed that he did not understand all that had been seen? said. I don't know that it took a great deal of wisdom to understand what we heard today,

Starting point is 10:02:47 he said at last. I did not find any difficulty. You didn't? There was just the suspicion of a sneer in Paul's voice. He did not believe that. Well then, he said, you are just the one to help a fellow. What's Lutzen, and who are the Swedes? And what did they sing? And who was Gistavis Adolphus? Then was James Warding? embarrassed. I don't know that I can answer such an army of questions as that, he said flushing. In fact, I didn't hear half of those names. It was a reference to history, I suppose. Exactly, I suppose so too. The question is, what history, where? What was there about it to make folks remember? Those are the things I want to know. I say it would be fine if a fellow

Starting point is 10:03:37 knew about them. Between you and me, Jim, if I'd had your chances, I believe I should know more about them now. I believe you would, said James Ward gravely, all the sense of superiority gone out of him. I believe you would. I abused my chances, Paul, wasted them and my whole life besides. So did you waste yours. The thing for us to rejoice over is that we are both so young we can in a sense catch up with the people who have gone ahead. I mean to try it, and I have begun by taking Jesus Christ for my pattern. I believe that is the only sensible way. Will you try it? Paul, ready-tongued usually, had no sort of answer to make. He was utterly dumbfounded. He had been much too busy over his own plans and pursuits to notice, as others had, the change in his old associate. So this sudden rising

Starting point is 10:04:35 of a new flag had all the force of a wonderful surprise about it. He did not half understand the sentence. He did not know whether James Ward actually professed to be what his mother called, converted, or not. Even if he meant that, Paul had no clear idea of what such a term conveyed, but it meant something and something new and strange. It was the added force to this wonderful day. It gave to Paul Adams the first gleam of respect that he had ever felt for James Ward. For the first time in his life, he recognized a dividing line between them, superiority being on the other's side. And speaking of forces, there came immediately another clearly defined one into his life.

Starting point is 10:05:21 He shan't get ahead of me. That was the way in which he expressed it to himself. Exactly what it might mean the future must define. It is a curious study to find how intersecting lives, all unknown to themselves, influence each other. James, after he left his companion and walked on alone, thought the interview over, paused over Paul's numerous questions, realized that the boy had caught at the strange names and yearned over them as he had not.

Starting point is 10:05:53 He was born to be a scholar, he said emphatically. I believe he will be one. How strange that no one ever thought of such a thing! I suppose nobody helped him. I might have helped him if I had taken the trouble to help myself. How many things I might have done that I haven't! He quickened his steps as one who had wasted time to make up. As for Paul, before he slept that night, he discovered where Lutzen was, and who Gustavus Adolphus was, and why they sang that day. Chapter 30 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy

Starting point is 10:06:38 This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Commissioned to Shine If you have, up to this time, been even a careless reader of this volume, you have doubtless discovered that the center of Chautauqua life was the hall in the grove, a beautiful grove with trees old enough and grand enough to be worthy of their baptismal name, St. Paul's Grove. About the hall you have heard. white pillared, simple, plain, yet suggestive of such a brilliant past and hinting of such a glorified future. I don't know how to describe it to you, the effect that this bit of green and white, with a glimmer of lake between, had on all the genuine chautauquins.

Starting point is 10:07:23 The simple truth is that their hearts were there. They loved every green leaf that gently waved a welcome to them as the passing breeze stirred its emotions. There were those among them who could not so much as pass one of the white columns of the hall without a caressing movement such as one would give to a treasure. The very chairs with which it was seated, common enough objects as they were, seemed each to have individuality, and in some subtle, inexpressible sense, to be a friend. What spell possessed them? I don't know. Pleasant memories? Yes.

Starting point is 10:07:59 Glorious intentions? Yes. yet these to some do not explain it. Well, don't you know there are things, legions of things, that you cannot explain to some people. You may lay bare your heart, though it quivers over the intrusion, and they will step on it and ask, Why is this, and, of what use is that, and, what does the other mean? Until, unless you are a saint, you flee from them in dismay.

Starting point is 10:08:26 Do you expect me to explain any further to you, why the deluded Chautauquins loved their hall? On a certain August afternoon, it was in gala attire. Every column was festooned with twining vines. The platform was aglow with flowers and mosses and bright berries. The treasures of the woods had emptied themselves into this favorite spot to add to its glory. The occasion was a special one.

Starting point is 10:08:55 Something in the air would have told you that, almost before you caught a glimpse of the special adorning, and of the speed with which the hall was filling. "'H'n't,' said James Ward to himself in a somewhat discontented tone, as he surveyed the crowded building, and then took his seat on the stump of a tree that had been left near the entrance for ornament. It did not improve the vines growing thereon to call on the stump so often to assist in seating the audience,

Starting point is 10:09:22 but people must have seats. James Ward continued his mental grumbling. If this lecture was prepared expressly for the members of the CLSC, according to program, I should think the crowd might wait until they are seated, especially as it is not yet time for the lecture. There was not much comfort, however, in grumbling to oneself, so the occupant of the stump presently sought in his pockets for something with which to beguile the waiting, and drew therefrom a little book which had been given him the day before,

Starting point is 10:09:55 the attraction of which was those fascinating letters, C-L-S-C, a letter written by William Cullen Bryant about the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. James Ward was not sufficiently posted in the literary world to have a very clear idea as to who William Cullen Bryant was. Still, he knew that the name was an honored one, and that it was esteemed by members of the Circle, a rare tribute to have a letter bearing that signature.

Starting point is 10:10:23 So the young man settled himself as comfortably as possible on the stump and prepared to study it. My dear sir, I cannot be present at the meeting called to organize the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, but I am glad that such a movement is on foot and wish it the fullest success. There is an attempt to make science, or a knowledge of the laws of the material universe, an ally of the school which denies a separate spiritual existence and a future life. In short, to borrow of science, weapons to be used against Christianity. At this juncture appeared Robert Fenton, and, leaning over the reader's shoulder, demanded to know what interested him so deeply.

Starting point is 10:11:08 I'm reading Bryant's letter, said James. Have you seen it? Brian's letter? Who, the poet? Oh, that letter about the circle, I remember. No, I haven't seen it, but I want to. And he leaned forward and joined in the reading. Oh, he said after a minute's silence. I didn't think he was one of them. One of whom? Why, a Christian man, that sounds like it. And he read aloud.

Starting point is 10:11:37 The friends of religion, therefore, confident that one truth never contradicts another, are doing wisely when they seek to accustom the people at large to think and to weigh evidence as well as believe, by giving a portion of their time to a vigorous training of the intellectual, and a study of the best books, men gain the power to deal satisfactorily with questions with which the mind might otherwise become bewildered. I don't think that is true of all men, declared Robert. Do you? I should suppose it would be.

Starting point is 10:12:10 Well, it isn't, or else some men that I know haven't given a vigorous training to their intellects, for they have about as unsatisfactory ways of dealing with puzzling questions as they could have. Look at young Mr. Montief. He mixes a fellow up on all sorts of questions until he doesn't know what he believes, and feels a little like thinking that nobody believes anything anyhow. I should never pick him out as a man who had trained his intellect vigorously, replied James Ward with a slightly curling lip. He did not admire Kent Monteeth. He has studied painting in a few nice, delicate things, and knows a little about most anything, but a plight. that sentence to his father and see the difference. Whatever Robert thought of this, he kept to himself, merely saying, hear this.

Starting point is 10:13:01 It is true that there is no branch of human knowledge so important as that which teaches the duties we owe to God and to each other, and that there is no law of the universe, sublime and wonderful as it may be, so worthy of being fully known as the law of love, which makes him who obeys it a blessing to his species, and the universal observance of which would put an end to a large proportion of the evils which affect mankind. I say, Ward, Bryant must have been a Christian man, because you see, an honest man who thought all that would have to live up to it, wouldn't he?

Starting point is 10:13:38 Then he read on from the letter. Yet it is a knowledge of the results of science, and such of its processes as lie most open to the popular mind, important for the purpose of showing the different, spheres occupied by science and religion, and preventing the inquirer from mistaking their divergence from each other for opposition. That is what Mr. Montief says. He's always hinting that science contradicts the Bible. Perhaps he hasn't knowledge enough of science to distinguish between divergence and opposition, quoted Young Ward significantly, then he took up the story of the letter allowed. I perceive this important advantage in the proposed organization, namely that those who

Starting point is 10:14:24 engage in it will mutually encourage each other. It will give the members a common pursuit, which always begets a feeling of brotherhood. They will have a common topic of conversation and discussion, and the consequences will be that many who, if they stood alone, might grow weary of the studies which are recommended to them, will be induced to perseverance. by the interest which they see others taking in them. That is a decided compliment for our circle, isn't it, Robert? Yes, said Robert, and listen to this, it is a prophecy. It may happen in rare instances that a person of eminent mental endowments,

Starting point is 10:15:04 which might otherwise have remained uncultivated and unknown, will be stimulated in this matter to diligence, and put forth unexpected powers, and, passing rapidly beyond the rest, become greatly distinguished, and take a place among the luminaries of the age. Ward, as sure as you live, I believe that applies to Paul Adams. I'm just as sure that he is going to be a luminary as I am that you are sitting on this stump. Young Ward had no answer, for the reason that he was springing from the stump

Starting point is 10:15:36 and making ready to give place to a lady who was moving towards them, none other than little Amy herself. Am I so late? said breathless. I hurried. What, isn't the lecture commenced? And the seats all taken. How nice of you to save this stump for me! What are you reading? We are just finishing an important letter, explained Robert. This is the last sentence. I shall be interested to watch during the little space of life which may yet remain to me the progress and good results of the plan which has drawn from me this letter. I am, sir, very truly yours, W.S.

Starting point is 10:16:15 C. Bryant, to Reverend Dr. John H. Vincent. Robert read the signature with a flourish, then said, He didn't have very long to watch for the good results, did he? Dead he lay among his books, the peace of God was in his looks. I have read Bryant some, remarked little Amy in a dreamy tone. Aunt Annie reads him ever so much. Oh, we will be at home for his Memorial Day, won't we? I mean to recite Thanatopsis in the circle. Don't you suppose we will have a special meeting on Memorial Day? I used to recite Thanatopsis when I was in school. I thought it was doleful then, and yet I liked it.

Starting point is 10:16:57 But I knew almost nothing about the author. I think it is so nice to know things. Over that sentence, James Ward smiled thoughtfully. He was still listening to the Ring of Robert's words about Paul Adams. I'm just as sure that he will be illumined. as I am that you are sitting on that stump. Was that the division? Must he sit on the stump and let Paul shine? Was not there room also for his shining? He was not satisfied with merely sitting and looking on. He would never be satisfied with it anymore. I am the light of the world, he thought of

Starting point is 10:17:36 the verse just then. It had been quoted by Professor Holmes in the normal class that morning, and he had immediately followed it with the words, Ye are the light of the world, placing a peculiar and solemn emphasis on the pronoun. It came to James Ward at that moment like an inspiration, the thought that he had been commissioned to shine. The glorious light had shone down into his heart, the life-giving voice had sent him the message,

Starting point is 10:18:04 Ye are the light of the world. Yes, he would shine from henceforth, a reflected light that should help to light the nation's home, home. Hark! said Amy, it has begun! And the voices around the stump were hushed. Dr. Meredith was the speaker, and the CLSC people knew enough of him to have been on the eager watch for this lecture, which had been prepared expressly for them.

Starting point is 10:18:30 The stump proved no means sitting, after all, for the ringing voice of the speaker penetrated through the trees and reached them clear and strong. Those golden sentences poured out so rapidly were none of them lost. Leisure hours was the topic, and as the doctor proceeded to unfold to his listeners the wonderful things that could be accomplished, if moments usually wasted were carefully guarded, one person at least felt his cheeks glow with something very like shame. Perhaps it would have been difficult to find a younger man who had wasted more leisure hours than had James Ward.

Starting point is 10:19:07 In fact, his hours might almost have been said to have been all leisure, for the reason that he had not chosen to keep them filled. Be sure, as he listened, he made some strong and stern resolves as to what should be done with time in the future. There were many points in that lecture which seemed specially suited to his needs. Amy turned toward him with a meaning smile, as the speaker told of having overheard a young man on those grounds, say that he had an awful memory. and after expressing in very strong terms his opinion of the ignorance and folly evidenced by such an admission added,

Starting point is 10:19:45 I tell you, young man, you can secure just as good a memory as you choose to have. James Ward returned the smile, laughed outright indeed, but at the same time blushed. Not 24 hours before, he had said in somewhat dreary tone to this same Amy. You see, there is this against me, I have a very poor memory. For some things, my memory is simply awful. Now Paul Adams is a real genius in that line. He has only to read a thing over once or twice that he really wants to remember, and the very language of it belongs to him.

Starting point is 10:20:22 No wonder he blushed, but he gave even more careful heed to what followed. In reality, it was a guidebook of instruction on the acquisition of memory, and more people than James Ward, listening, made resolutions to acquire. There, said Robert Fenton, listen. He is describing Ollie Chester for all the world. The boys are always telling how she goes on. Do you know her ward? She is one of those girls who know all the people living in the big houses,

Starting point is 10:20:54 and who they married and when they married, and how they dressed, and what relation they are to Mr. So-and-so of Boston, or that lovely Mrs. Somebody of New York, and all that sort of thing. She thinks she has a good memory, she can get off loads of trash of that kind. But she is a dead failure in history. It is just as he says, her mind is all lumbered up with that sort of thing. An impatient nudge from

Starting point is 10:21:20 Young Ward reminded Robert that Dr. Meredith and not himself was the speaker. But the tongues outside could not be kept still. Amy laughed outright over the description of the man who would sit of a winter evening by a glowing fire in dressing gown and slippers, and let his thoughts float off on a sea of reverie, propelled by the laws of association, and when interrogated as to what he was doing, would reply that he was thinking." "'That's exactly like Uncle Ned,' said Amy. He will sit by the hour staring into the grate, his eyes full of wisdom, and think, and I don't believe anyone has ever seen any results.'

Starting point is 10:22:01 "'I've done a good deal of that sort of thinking myself,' said Young Ward, meaningly, At least I have never been able to discover any results. Then did Amy's bright cheeks flame. What sort of thinking have you been doing? said her conscience to her. Don't you live in a house that is made of glass, and wouldn't it be well not to sit here on this pretty stump and throw stones at your uncle Ned? From that moment Amy gave earnest and undivided attention to Dr. Meredith

Starting point is 10:22:32 and learned how to think not only, but on what topics to expend much. thought. When I carefully consider all the grounds gone over at Chautauqua during that eventful summer, I find that I return again to what was before my deliberate conclusion, that nothing more helpful to the circle occurred during the six weeks than the lecture that they heard, some of them under difficulties, that summer afternoon. Who was Dr. Meredith? Amy asked, as the lecture over they moved away. Robert Fenton was prompt with his answer. The boy had a talent for discovering who all Chautauqua celebrities were. He is a Boston pastor among other things, and a Bible class teacher. Fred Stewart says he has

Starting point is 10:23:20 a perfectly wonderful Bible class. They meet weekday afternoons. There are as many as 2,000 members. So Fred says, but it doesn't seem possible. It is awful large anyway, and as interesting, Fred says, as any of these lectures that we get here. He's going to preach tomorrow evening. Not Fred Stewart, you understand, but Dr. Meredith. I shall go and hear him, said Amy with emphasis. Don't you think this lecture will be published? It ought to be. Of course it will be, in the Chautauquan. They will not let the finest thing we have had here slip away from us.

Starting point is 10:23:58 What about the Chautauquan Fenton? Have you subscribed for it? Father has. Oh, of course we must have it. A great many of the circle readings will be printed in it. Besides, only think of having Cook's lectures, and Professor Browns and Dr. Meredith's, and all the wonderful sermons and lectures that will be put in it. Everybody ought to take the Chautauquan, a library for a dollar a year.

Starting point is 10:24:24 The afternoon's work was over. Speaker and listeners went their ways. It may be that the speaker felt depressed. He may have fancied in the reaction that followed the excitement of effort, that the effort was vain and the hour wasted. Such things have been. It may be that not one of those who lined the avenues and sped their various ways, said a word to him about the help they had received from him that afternoon. Not a word of the light he had thrown on hitherto bewildering subjects, not a word of the mountains in their way that he had

Starting point is 10:25:00 reduced to mole hills. Not a word of the resolves taken, and the great drafts of courage infused through his eloquence. Such things have happened. I do not know that Dr. Meredith will ever meet on this side any of those whose souls he uplifted that day, but I cannot help hoping that he will, and that they will tell him frankly all about it. I can but feel that men, even great men, need sometimes to know, even here, something of what they have accomplished. Would it not be well for this one to know that on that summer afternoon he touched and widened circles that shall continue to widen through all time, and then in eternity just begin to grow? End of Chapter 30 Chapter 31 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy.

Starting point is 10:25:56 This sliverbox recording is in the public domain. The book The Great Amphitheater was filled to its utmost. There is really no more attractive spot to be found than that amphitheater when it is lighted up of an evening. At least, so all Chautauquins think. There is something very fascinating in those rows and rows of circling seats, rising high and higher, filled every one of them with people. If you love to study faces, a seat on the platform of the Chautauquan Amphitheater is the place for you.

Starting point is 10:26:30 There are so many people, so many different types of character represented. Then there is the view of the platform itself, filled, crowded with eminent men, doctors of divinity, lawyers, judges, statesmen, orators. That platform is really a grand sight when it is brilliantly lighted and every seat is taken. Back of it is the great choir platform, crowded also, rows and rows of young, bright, interested faces. It is a charming sight enough even before they burst into song, adding their trained voice. to complete the effect. It is of no use to attempt to describe the amphitheater of an evening.

Starting point is 10:27:13 Dear old Chautauquins, just shut your eyes and see it for yourselves. Isn't it beautiful? Well, it was full. The people good-naturedly crowded closely and made room for one more. There is always at Chautauqua an effort to make room for one more. The preacher on this particular Sabbath evening was Dr. Meredith. Meredith. All the people who had heard him the afternoon before in the CLSC wanted to hear him again. All the people having friends who had heard him wanted to be numbered among the hearers.

Starting point is 10:27:47 This class contributed largely to the gathering numbers. Besides, the education of Chautauqua is to go to church. When the bells ring, there is a sort of fascination about it. An old Chautauquan cannot help looking for her hat and hurrying towards the center. I hope he will take a magnificent text, said young Monteth as he settled himself to be a listener. Jack Butler chanced to be his companion, and at this point regarded him with surprise. I did not know you thought there was any magnificence in his present textbook to select from, he said inquiringly. Certainly I do, and one well acquainted with Kent Monteth would have seen that he was annoyed.

Starting point is 10:28:33 He was much too scholarly to like such a wholesale way of putting his peculiar views. Certainly I do. I am not such a fool I trust as to be unable to see the matchless imagery of language, the display of rhetoric and logic and intellectual power generally as they appear in the Bible. One need not necessarily subscribe to all the dogmas taught in a book in order to admire it. That is true, Jack said meekly, feeling himself. self-quenched, and then both waited for the text. Simply four words. Thy testimonies are wonderful. Something very like a sneer marred the handsome face of Kent Monteth. His hope of listening to successive flights of eloquence with some of the grand passages of the Bible for starting

Starting point is 10:29:21 points faded, and he resigned himself to listen instead to a series of platitudes about the excellency of a book in which he did not believe. Still, sit back though he did, he did, did, with folded arms and indifferent look, it was impossible not to give thought to what followed. It may be well for us, said the speaker, to pause for a moment on the threshold, and consider the marvelous antiquity and vitality of this book. Straightway a scholar, as in some lines at least, Kent-Montief certainly was, took up the thought and admitted to himself what he might not have mentioned to another, that the Bible really was a very old book.

Starting point is 10:30:03 Then he listened. Begun in the Arabian desert, ages before Homer sang, and finished fifteen hundred years after, on an island in the Aegean Sea, this book has come down to us from that remote antiquity, unscathed and entire, and is as fresh and as full of life today as when the prophets and apostles first indicted its burning words, and its power and influence were never more so great in the world as they are now. Now. This is a wonderful fact. It is a unique thing. Let us turn aside and see this great sight. I need not remind you that many a book that once bid fair for immortality has long

Starting point is 10:30:47 since gone down to oblivion. Of all the millions of books which have been written since the dawn of literature, how few, even of the very best of them, have escaped the ravages of time and the forgetfulness of men. Though the shelves of mighty library, grown with the learned labors of the past, it is true of most of the volumes therein contained, that, like the bodies of the Egyptian kings in their pyramids, they retain only the grim semblance of life amid dust and darkness and decay. Among the pages of the sacred record alone has the lapse of ages gathered no rust. Now no one in that great audience knew better than Kent Monteth

Starting point is 10:31:30 that this statement and other kindred ones which follow, it were true. Actually, the knowledge came home to him so forcefully at this time that he wondered curiously how it was that doubt and unbelief first crept into his mind concerning this old and wonderfully preserved book. There was nothing in the manner of the speaker, and in the rush of his burning words, which held the handsome-faced young skeptic and obliged him to listen. Yes, compelled him to walk step by step through the logical path which the lecturer pursued and constantly admit its truth. When he lifted the massive Bible to the view of the audience and said, The fact that I hold this grand old Bible in my hand tonight is one of the

Starting point is 10:32:16 most stupendous miracles ever wrought by God Almighty. There was something so convincing in the very act, and in the lightning-like train of thought which it suggested, that Kent Monteth felt simply annoyed at the sarcastic smile which played over Jack Butler's face as the the letter turned to him for sympathy. He moved impatiently, almost turning his back to Jack, and all the time, lost not a word of the rush of eager sentences from the stand. No book has ever been so persecuted and trampled upon, if I could bring to this platform tonight a man concerning whom you were certain that he had outlived the centuries, who had been flung into the sea and not drowned, who had been cast into the fire and not burned,

Starting point is 10:33:03 who had been made to drink a deadly poison and was still alive and well, would you not say that the broad shield of omnipotence had been over him, and he had lived and moved and had his being in the heart of a perpetual miracle? This Bible is that man. It has been flung into the sea, and yet not overwhelmed. It has been cast into the fire and has refused to burn. At this point, Kent Monteth met the gaze of young Robert Fenton's astonished, searching eyes. Despite the man of the world's habitual self-control, a slight flush appeared on his

Starting point is 10:33:40 face as he recognized the fact that this statement, though incapable of contradiction, had but the day before been treated by him in such a manner that Robert was left at liberty to draw an exactly contrary conclusion. The questioning in those earnest young eyes was so apparent that Mr. Monteth found cause for thankfulness in the fact that half a dozen seats divided them. He was not prepared just then for a question from the lips. When the speaker reached the sentence, the Bible is not a book of science. Jack Butler nodded and smiled triumphantly, then leaned forward and whispered, he has to admit its weakness after all, I thought he was going to make it wonderful throughout. This whisper graded terribly on Kent Monteith's more scholarly mind.

Starting point is 10:34:30 He felt sure that even Jack Butler, exceedingly superficial scientist though he was, would be made to see plainly the folly of his positions before the sermon was concluded. The very next sentence proved the truth of this. It never was designed to teach men any other science than the science of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. But there are in the Bible, in illustration of this essential truth, scientific allusions, allusions to the facts of the physical universe, to facts that were not known to men when the Bible was written, and these illusions of the Bible are found to be in the strictest harmony with the well-assertained facts of the latest science. Here again the superiority of the Bible appears, for in this harmony with the discoveries of science,

Starting point is 10:35:21 it stands in striking contrast to all the sacred books of the heathen nations. All the ancient systems of religion, and all the philosophers and wise men of old, so far as they are known, maintained notions in science as absurd as their theology. In Greek and Latin philosophy, for instance, the heaven was a solid vault. Aristotle called it a sphere, studded with stars. According to the Egyptian sages, this world was full, formed by the motion of air and the upward course of flame. In the Hindu philosophy, the world was a flat triangular structure, seven stories high,

Starting point is 10:36:01 resting on the backs of high elephants, who, when they shook themselves, caused earthquakes. The ancient astronomers concluded that there were about a thousand stars. Hipparchus believed that there were 1022. Ptolemy differed from him and made the number 1026. Muhammad said the mountains were put on this earth by God to keep it still. Now it is a striking fact that not one of the 40 different writers of the Bible, most of whom lived in the vicinity of one or other of the nations that held these views, has written a line that shows favor to one of them.

Starting point is 10:36:40 The harmony of the Bible with the discoveries of science in our day is a wonderful thing and a strong proof of its divinity. For instance, it speaks of the world as a good thing, globe and as suspended on nothing. It tells us that the heavens are not a solid sphere but a boundless expanse, that light is antecedent of the sun and independent of it, thus anticipating the generally received theory of science today. When it speaks of the stars, it does not talk of a thousand, but says they are an innumerable host, which the telescope shows to be not even a figure of speech. Then followed certain specially pertinent illustrations of the same fact, and Kent

Starting point is 10:37:24 Monteth again found himself embarrassed by the close proximity and searching eyes of Robert Fenton. He had an uncomfortable consciousness of having listened in the boy's company to certain statements of Jack Butler's, which these illustrations by Dr. Meredith directly controverted. He had listened in silence, equally amused by the display of Jack's ignorance and the boy's earnestness in trying to meet him. He wished now that he had helped young Robert. Then at least the eyes would not have been reproachful as well as questioning. Now, said Dr. Meredith, we need a caution at this point. And Mr. Monteth squared around in his seat with a triumphant air, and even whispered to Jack that it was quite time they heard the

Starting point is 10:38:12 other side of the question, and then was ashamed of himself immediately. because that was an insinuation that he thought the speaker had been one-sided and unfair in his statements, which he knew he did not and could not think. Now for the caution. We must be careful lest we confound two things that are perfectly distinct. The Bible is one thing, and human interpretations of the Bible are altogether another thing. These two things must be kept clearly apart, because the human interpretation has been modified and, will be modified a great deal more, probably. As the light of science on God's works

Starting point is 10:38:52 enables us to see more deeply into the meaning of God's word, many of our old theories will go by the board. For instance, there was a time when the Christian church believed and taught that this world was made in six days of 24 hours each, about 6,000 years ago. I was taught that when I was a child. After a while, the science of geology was born. Men broke through the crust of the earth and went down to see how it was made,

Starting point is 10:39:19 and they came up and said that according to the testimony of the rocks, the world was hundreds of thousands of years old. They jumped to and proclaimed the conclusion that Moses was contradicted, and that Genesis was false because it was contrary to the facts of the case. Then superficial but devout theologians grew frightened, and said geology is of the devil. So the matter stood for a time, till more careful men took it up, and the theologians went down to the study of the rocks,

Starting point is 10:39:50 while the geologists took up the study of the Bible, and they very soon concluded that the testimony of the rocks must stand, but that the contradiction was not between the testimony of the rocks and Genesis, but between that testimony and human interpretation of Genesis. We had been reading the Bible without minding our stops. In the first verse of Genesis, we read, In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth, and the earth was without form and void, without making a pause. Now we read, In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

Starting point is 10:40:27 Then we stop and let all the geological ages that the rocks call for roll away. Then we read the second verse. That is only one illustration. Let us keep in our minds perfectly clear the distinction between these two things. Human theories will go probably, human theories have gone. But it is small matter what becomes of the human, if only the grand old Bible shall stand triumphant as it stands tonight. Was it Kent Monteth who had told the boy Robert that the Bible contradicted facts in geology?

Starting point is 10:41:02 Had he not instanced this very point? Had he not been entirely silent as to the explanation that Dr. Meredith had just made? Didn't he know of the explanation, or had he chosen to deceit? The expression on the boy's face told as plainly as words could have done that he was revolving these questions, and Kent Monteth found it to his comfort to shade his eyes with one hand so that his face could not be studied. But the speaker was not done with these two. Let me call your attention, he said, to the unity of this book, and perhaps the first view of the Bible would lead us to the conclusion that we would be less likely defined there, a true interior positive unity than in any other book that we know of in the world,

Starting point is 10:41:50 for it is not, after all, one book. It is made up of 66 different tracks or pamphlets, and these are the work of 40 different writers, and these separated by 1,500 years. They lived in different circumstances. Some of them were cultured, some were ignorant, some were in king's houses, some were fishermen on the Lake of Galilee, and under all these varieties of circumstance and of intellectual constitution, they sat down and wrote a book in three different languages. Surely we cannot expect to find unity in that book, more than the mechanical unity given to it by the workman who binds it up in one set of covers. Surely we must expect that there will be no more unity in these pamphlets than in books carelessly

Starting point is 10:42:38 set on library shelves. And yet the very moment we begin to study it, we are impressed with the positive oneness of the doctrine that runs through it from beginning to end. It is a great unity, as it must be to correspond with the mind of God, the unity of a cathedral, not of a hut, the unity of a great piece of mechanism, not of a walking stick. There is a grand central truth that runs through the book from beginning to end. Man lost may be saved by the blood of sacrifice. That is the Bible from one end of it to the other. What a strange sermon it was. Kent Montief actually lost portions of it by taking time to wonder how it happened that so much of the ground gone over between young Robert and himself should be touched upon. If it were not absurd, he might almost fancy that the boy had been detailing to the orator the doubts which had been suggested to him. It certainly was no wonder that the young artist's face burned a little. He felt so conscious that the hints which he had through the thrown out, viewed in the light derived from this lecture, would appear worse than shallow to the

Starting point is 10:43:50 keen-brained boy. I think that Kent Montief felt his position the more, because he was not even an honest doubter, the very difficulties which he presented to others being less troublesome to him than he professed. Presently, this brilliant young man sought refuge from his questioning conscience by getting into a fume with the speaker. What right had he to take this brilliant opportunity before such an audience to assail all the theories which happened to be contrary to his own? What a fool he is, said this elegant young man to himself.

Starting point is 10:44:27 Here is a chance to immortalize himself before this magnificent assembly. If he would take a subject worthy of him and show them the power of his matchless eloquence, he would literally lift them to their feet, and applause. Whereupon his better sense said to him, What a fool are you! Don't you see how he holds this assembly? Will they ever forget what he has said to them tonight? Will you ever forget it yourself? Don't you know this moment

Starting point is 10:44:55 that what he has said is true? Don't you believe in your soul that you will have to meet it again at the judgment and admit that you felt its truth? And is not this what angers you now? As if to press home the solemnity of these questionings, the speaker grew more personal and practical. Above all things, said he, it is important for you to study the Bible as spiritual beings, because it answers questions that you can find answered nowhere else. The profoundest questions and largest needs of humanity are spiritual. How can a man be just with God? Who will deliver my soul from going down to the pit, saying I have a man.

Starting point is 10:45:36 found a ransom. Who will bring peace to the weary tempest-tossed heart? Give me answers to these questions and I am satisfied. O ye mighty sons of science and philosophy, I sit at your feet, I open my ears to listen to your words, my anxious soul awaits your answer to these tremendous problems. Leave me in darkness concerning these, and no matter what else you tell me, Life is a riddle, death is a terror, and the mysterious afterwards a horror and a woe. Let us prize the book that meets these deeper questions and larger needs of our humanity. If you are ever tempted to speak lightly or think lightly of the Bible, just sit down and imagine what the world would be without it.

Starting point is 10:46:22 No Bible. A wound and no cure. A storm and no covert. A lost eternity and no ransom. alas for us if this were all, if the latter of science were the only stare to lead us up to God. But where science at its highest leaves us, where philosophy in its purest forms abandons us, there revealed religion takes us up. Of what used to try to make of such a sermon as this, nothing but food for the intellect? Kent Monteth sat back with folded arms and gave himself up to annoyance.

Starting point is 10:46:59 He must not even grumble aloud, for this was Sabbath evening, and he was one of an audience gathered for the avowed purpose of worshipping God. That which he had been looking forward to as a lecture had been boldly advertised as a sermon. What man in his senses could grumble because it was exactly what had been promised. He must not even complain of that last sentence, clear-cut, though it was. May God grant you the blessings promised in his word, to them that love his truth, and ever save you from the blasting mildew of infidel folly and falsehood. At that moment, Kent Monteth would have given much had he not spoken, folly and falsehood, to the clear-eyed boy looking over at him.

Starting point is 10:47:48 End of Chapter 31. Chapter 32 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibervox recording is in the public domain. All mixed up. Other faces besides Robert Fenton's had been objects of study on the evening of Dr. Meredith's sermon. Dr. Monteth, sitting too far away from his son to watch the effect of the argument on him, albeit he thought much of him, gave special attention to Paul Adams. The play of feeling on that young man's face was marked.

Starting point is 10:48:26 To Dr. Monteth, it was puzzling. There was more than keen interest, more even than astonishment. though that was evident. There seemed also to be a feeling of incredulous dismay. The doctor, studying the changes, astonished at the display of feeling, became deeply interested and at last resolved as soon as possible to have a talk with the boy. There is certainly more depth of character than any of us have given him credit for, he said to himself musingly, how his face changes. I wonder what line of thought he can be carrying out. I declare, I believe the boy is a genius in disguise.

Starting point is 10:49:09 It was an interest born of this watching that made the doctor suddenly desert his company at the close of the service and wedge his way through crowds to reach at last Paul Adams' side. Well, he said, after they had walked a few steps in silence, You were interested, I saw this evening. What do you think of such a sermon as that? I don't know what I think." The answer was prompt enough, but was, I might almost say, moody in its tone.

Starting point is 10:49:41 Dr. Monteth was bewildered. "'Didn't you like it?' he asked at length, seeing that Paul, beyond that short answer, seemed bent on silence. "'Like it? There was no mistaking the energy in the tone, and yet, strangely enough, there was not only energy, but a sort of pent-up indignation. Dr. Monteth found himself utterly at fault in trying to discover the boy's mood, and so was of necessity silent in return. "'Look here,' burst forth Paul at last. "'I'm all mixed up. Do you and folks like you believe all

Starting point is 10:50:19 that that preacher said tonight?' "'I can speak for myself, Paul, and—' "'Well, yes, I can speak for a great company of Christian men and women that we believe with heart and soul all that he said tonight. Then I'm just dreadfully mixed up, that's all. And there was a curious note of dismay in Paul's voice. The doctor's reply was full of questioning sympathy. I don't quite understand, my friend. What has so mixed you up? Perhaps I can help you. Why, said Paul, speaking rapidly, eagerly. I didn't know it. I knew about mother, of course, how she was always reading the Bible, and thought it was a wonderful book,

Starting point is 10:51:00 and I knew they took texts out of it and had the Sunday school children learn out of it, but I didn't know that great scholars thought it was grand and wonderful and all that. Why, certainly, said the good doctor with alacrity. It is generally accepted as the most wonderful book that the world has ever known or will know. How could it be otherwise, my friend, since it is the only book that we have from God? But Paul ignored the question, and burst forth with his dismayed astonishment. Then why in the name of common sense didn't we study it? I made up my mind back there that first night at the circle that I would know all there was in

Starting point is 10:51:40 one book anyhow. I never had known anything about books, and I somehow decided that I wanted to. And I thought, by the way you talked, that that book about Rome was the most important one there was, and I went at it. It wasn't long before I found out. that other books had to be studied too. And when I came down here, it seemed to me from all the talk I heard that Latin was about as important as anything, and so I plunged in and gave every bit of time I could spare. And it seems, after all, that the most important book there is in the world, Mother has had all the time, and I never read a page of it in my life. Now what I don't understand is why people who knew it was the book didn't tell us about it, and set us at it

Starting point is 10:52:25 as we went at Merivale, you know. I should know a good deal about the book by this time if I'd gone into it with all my might. Utter dismayed astonishment kept Dr. Monteth silent for a few minutes. Then he said, but Paul, didn't you know we studied the plan of salvation? That tells all about the Bible, and we gave as much and as careful attention to it as we did to Merivale. Oh, yes, said Paul, and the doctor, doctor wondered afterwards whether there could have been almost a sneer in his voice. I know we studied a book about the Bible, but it wasn't the Bible, you see. How was I to know that the book we were reading about in another book was the most wonderful book in the world? Fact is,

Starting point is 10:53:14 I suppose it is because I am an ignorant fellow, but I thought likely that that book was ahead of the Bible, or you wouldn't have taken it up instead of that. Don't you see how it is, Professor? I never read any at all in the Bible. Nobody ever talked to me about it except Mother. It is the only book she ever reads, and I thought that was the reason she liked it. And I didn't know it was a grand book. The dismay in the tones was distinctly marked,

Starting point is 10:53:42 and there was also a suggestion of feeling as one who had somehow been defrauded of his rights. Dr. Monteth had never been so bewildered in his life. How was he to answer this ignores? boy who jumped at such strange conclusions, utterly unwarranted by facts. At least the Dr. Ernest Lee hoped they were unwarranted. By this time they had reached the latter's cottage, but he laid a detaining hand on Paul's shoulder. He could not let the boy slip away until his questionings had been in some manner answered.

Starting point is 10:54:18 "'Come in,' he said earnestly. "'Come up to my study. I want to talk with you. This is a new face of the question to me, I must confess. Seated in the beautiful little study, by the green covered table, under the shaded light, the doctor looked full into the earnest troubled face of his visitor. Now, my friend, do I understand you to mean that the experiences which you have had with the circle led you to think that we gave the most important place to other books and shoved the Bible out? Well, I didn't put it that way, but I'll leave it to you to know what a fellow is going to think. For most a year, I heard talk about all the things we've been studying, and I never heard a word about the Bible, only as we would look into it once in a while when Walker copied

Starting point is 10:55:06 from it a verse or two. I didn't think anything about the book you see, forgot there was such a one. And when I came here, as I told you, I pitched into Latin because everybody talked about its being the foundation. I thought likely enough that the reason why I didn't know anything was because I hadn't got any foundation, so I thought I'd set to work and get one, and I've worked hard at it. But if what that man said tonight is true, seems to me I've begun on the wrong end, and haven't got the foundation after all. I'm all mixed up as I told you. I don't know what I think. You would have been sorry for Dr. Montief, could you have seen his distressed face. He arose and began to walk back and forth in the little study, pondering how he could best undo

Starting point is 10:55:57 what his heart told him had been grave mischief. Actually, he had helped to start this soul from the sandy foundation of human learning without so much as a visible attempt to set his feet on the rock. As for Paul, he was astonished at the doctor's distress. He had not expected that more than a passing kindly thought would be given to his perplexities. He had not imagined for a moment that anything which he could say would have power to trouble, Professor Monteth. He watched the grave, anxious face with a kind of awe. For fully five minutes the silence lasted, the boy meditating, meanwhile, how he could best express his apology and slip away. When the doctor drew a chair close to his side,

Starting point is 10:56:44 and laid a quiet hand on his shoulder. My friend, he said, I have made a grave mistake, loving the Bible as I do, making it the guide of my life and my daily study as I do. Think what it is to me to have made upon you the impression that it is even second in importance. In my eagerness to help you upward, in my fear lest I should hurry you,

Starting point is 10:57:09 and so set you against the highest way, I have been almost silent about the book, book. Too much have we left it out of our circle. We have, as you say, studied about it, instead of studying at the fountainhead. But my friend, while I have made this serious mistake, and so seemed to put aside the first interests, it has only been seeming. Paul, I have prayed for you by name on my knees every day since I first invited you to join our circle. I have asked the author of the Bible to lead you through it to himself. Now what I ought to do next is to ask your pardon and the pardon of every member of the circle for misleading you and them.

Starting point is 10:57:54 The Bible is first, best, purest, highest, incomparably above any and all other books, God's own message to us. Paul, if you would give yourself to its study long enough to find in it your Savior, you would love it with all your soul. Your mother is right. Good mothers, my boy, are almost always right. She is a good mother, wiser in the true wisdom today than some of those who stand high. Do you forgive me for misleading you? Now it was Paul Adams almost beside himself. Coldness, hottiness, lofty superiority, always amused him and made him impudent. No one had ever asked his forgiveness before. Dr. Monteth, he said, and his voice was low and husky.

Starting point is 10:58:45 I didn't mean, I didn't think. I wasn't finding fault with you. I never had anybody like you, and I, well, there's no use in trying to tell it, but I kept on with Merivale, often and often when it seemed all boshed to me, just because I thought I would like to please you, but this talk tonight about the Bible

Starting point is 10:59:05 kind of took me by surprise, and I said right out what I thought. I didn't mean to blame you. I know it, my friend, friend, I know everything you would say. There is no need for apologies on your part. You have shown me a mistake that I have certainly made. What I want to know is, do you forgive me, and will you give me a token that you do? I'll do anything under the sun that you want me to, declared Paul with a sort of reckless earnestness. Very few people had influence with him,

Starting point is 10:59:37 but it may have been because very few had cared to win the chance of exerting influence. The doctor, who had studied his somewhat singular nature carefully, took prompt advantage of the seemingly reckless promise. Then I am going to ask you to promise to study this wonderful book with the greatest daily care, looking all the time to find in it the history of your own heart and the savior which that heart needs. I'll do it, said Paul, with strong emphasis in his voice. I'll do it, sir. I made up my mind tonight that it ought to be. be read if it is the kind of book he said, and I'll be glad to be told just how to read it. There's another thing, Paul, are you willing to kneel down with me and ask God to forgive me

Starting point is 11:00:24 for leading you astray? Can you credit the fact that in this Christian country, surrounded always by Christian people, Paul Adams knelt, and, for the first time since his early childhood, heard himself prayed for? End of Chapter 32. 33 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. An early Tribute The Sabbath which closed so eventfully to one of our party was followed by an eventful Monday morning. Unusually early, Chautauqua was a stir, and as many as could get away from household cares, sped early down the hill toward the old music stand, bent on getting another glimpse of a distinguished face, and if

Starting point is 11:01:19 possible a word from the great soldier. I have not told you that General Garfield was among the guests at Chautauqua during Sabbath. Neither have I said a word of the strong and silent homage that was paid him when Chautauqua, too reverent to cheer, too glad to see the honored guest to make no demonstration, Sabbath though it was, with one consent brought forth handkerchiefs and fluttered them high and long. You will readily imagine that no more enthusiastic follow, but than Robert Fenton could have been found among those Monday morning crowds hurrying down the hill to say goodbye to the general. He had beguiled his mother into taking the trip with him. An easy thing to accomplish, for the mother, being a patriot, was scarcely less proud of the gallant soldier than was her hero-loving boy.

Starting point is 11:02:11 They discussed him as they hurried down the avenue together, or rather the boy talked and the mother listened. He looks as if he might have been just the kind of boy that they say he was. Don't you think so, Mother? I don't know. What kind of boy do they say he was? Oh, wide awake and brave and generous and strong. He got a testament in the first school that he ever went to for being the best scholar. When Robert was in haste, he allowed sentences to tumble out without regard to grammatical arrangement. And you saw all that in his face, my boy?

Starting point is 11:02:49 Then I think it must be a grand face. It is grand, said the boy vehemently. I stood close to him yesterday, and I saw grandeur all over it. I wish he had spoken just a few words. Why do you suppose he wouldn't when everybody wanted him to so much? I suppose he was too wise. Don't you know his enemies are watching? And if, in an unguarded moment, he said,

Starting point is 11:03:15 sentence that they could twist against him, they would be only too glad to do it? Isn't it mean that because a man is wanted for our president some people should become his enemies? He needn't care. He will be president as sure as election day comes, and they can't help themselves. Don't you believe it, mother? Oh, there he is. Hasn't he a grand face? Only see what a crowd there is to meet him, and it wasn't announced on the program for fear of a crowd. I guess Dr. Vincent will find we can get up crowds without the help of the program. There is Mr. Masters! At this point the almost breathless boy stopped his eager tongue, for he had come within hearing distance,

Starting point is 11:03:59 and Senator Kirkwood of Iowa was speaking. This is what they heard. Let me say to every young man who hears me, and who is endeavoring in a manly way to work himself up to an honorable manhood, that General Garfield has been just where, you are. He has felt just as you feel. He knows your wants, he knows your feelings, he knows your needs, he knows your aspirations, and he sympathizes with them all. What curiously insignificant things sometimes weigh in forming human character? Just because at that moment Dr. Monteth,

Starting point is 11:04:37 looking among the sea of heads, espied Joseph Ward and bowed and smiled, the young man accepted it as Dr. Montief's recognition that he was making that very endeavor, and the half-recognized feeling of his own heart that he would like to be somebody, after all, took definite shape and decision for the first time that morning. Following General Garfield's introduction by General Fisk came that wonderful white-winged salute which Chautauqua reserved for its special occasions, and which it never seemed to give in such utter abandon as now. Then at last Robert, perching himself on the stump of an old monarch of a long-past forest, listened with eager eyes and deeply flushing cheeks to the hero's words.

Starting point is 11:05:25 Fellow citizens, you have done so much for me since I arrived on this shore, that I am quite unable to tell what sort of a man I am this morning. I had never been here. I really did not know just what you meant here, and I went around to Dr. Vincent last night, and asked him rather bluntly to sit down and tell me what he means, what Chautauqua means, what your work here means, and he filled me so full of your idea that I have not yet assimilated it as to be quite sure what manner of man I am since I got hold of it. But this I say, you are struggling with one of the two great problems of civilization. The first one is a very old struggle. It is, how shall we get any leisure? That is the problem of every hammer stroke, of every blow that

Starting point is 11:06:17 labor has struck since the foundation of the world. The fight for bread is the great first primal fight, and it is so absorbing a struggle that, until one conquers it somewhat, he can have no leisure whatever, so that we may divide the whole struggle of the human race into two chapters. First, the fight to get leisure, and then comes the second fight of civilization, what shall we do with our leisure when we get it? And I take it that Chautauqua has assailed this second problem. Now leisure is a dreadfully bad thing unless it is well used. A man with a fortune ready-made, and with leisure on his hands, is

Starting point is 11:07:01 likely to get sick of the world, sick of himself, tired of life, and become a useless, wasted man. What shall you do with your leisure? I understand that Chautauqua is trying to answer that question, and to open out fields of thought, to open out energies, a largeness of mind, a culture in the better sense, with the varnish scratched off. We are getting over the business of varnishing our native woods and painting them. We are getting over the business of varnishing our native woods and painting them. getting down to the real grain, and finding whatever is best in it, and truest in it. And if Chautauqua is helping garnish our people with the native stuff that is in them, rather than with the paint and varnish and gougas of culture, it is doing well.

Starting point is 11:07:48 Now, therefore, Chautauqua has filled me with thought, and in addition to that, you have filled me with gratitude for your kindness, gratitude for this great spontaneous greeting in the early morning. You are an audience of mixed citizens here, and I will not offend the proprieties of the occasion by discussing controverted questions. I look in the faces of men of all shades of opinion, but above our opinions, I hope, and below our opinions, I believe,

Starting point is 11:08:19 deeper down than our party affiliations I trust, is to be found in all this audience, that love of our beneficent institutions, which makes it possible for labor and free labor, to earn leisure, and then for our free institutions to make our leisure worth something when we have it. Our union and our institutions, under the light of our equal laws, equal to all colors, equal for all occupations, open a career for every man, however humble, to rise to whatever place the power of a strong arm, the strength of a clear head, and the aspirations of a pure heart can lift him. And that is a career that ought to inspire every young man who hears me this morning. I heard last night and yesterday

Starting point is 11:09:09 the songs of those who were lately redeemed, and I felt that there too was one of the triumphs of our great republic. I have some belief in the effects of forces that come down away from the ages behind us, and I wondered if the tropical sun had not distilled its sweetness, and if the sorrow of centuries of slavery had not distilled its sadness into the voices which were unutterably sweet, and voices fit to sing the songs of freedom as they sing them wherever they go. I thank that choir for the lessons they have taught me since I have been here. And now, fellow citizens, thanking you all, I bid you good-bye. Even if you are bringing into view

Starting point is 11:09:55 all the many little kindly acts that Robert Masters had done and is doing for the boy Robert Fenton, I doubt if any of them will ever rise into higher importance in his mind, or give him a happier heart than he had when Robert the elder touched his arm on that eventful morning,

Starting point is 11:10:13 and showed him a small paper, covered with hieroglyphics, of which the only readable sentence was this, to be copied for young Fenton to keep. His face was radiant. Thank you, he said. Wasn't it grand? Oh, hurrah!

Starting point is 11:10:30 The last word shouted as loudly as even he and his eager boyhood wanted to shout, for amid the peal of the bells and the waving of handkerchiefs were not the many voices giving three cheers for General Garfield? And when, as they died into echoes, a prophetic voice shouted,

Starting point is 11:10:48 three cheers for our next president. The enthusiasm knew no bounds. In the midst of it all came a hush, for the unutterably sweet voices were singing, This is the year of Jubilee, You shall gain the victory. The Lord has set his people free, You shall gain the day.

Starting point is 11:11:09 As the departing guests near the landing and boarded the steamer, the crowd surging closely after, and the singing rising like a shout of triumph from the wonderful voices of the Jubilees, and the morning sun made a path of gold for the boat to slip away in, and the white wings of salute fluttered aloft, the music changed, and the great company of people joined the Jubilees in their farewell chorus, O glory, hallelujah, and the steamer slipped swiftly and silently away from shore. End of Chapter 33.

Starting point is 11:11:50 Chapter 34 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. box recording is in the public domain, evading the point. The hall was nearly filled when Caroline came. She had been beguiled into walking there by the most circuitous route that Kent Monteth and his great familiarity with Chautauqua grounds could plan. We shall be late, she had said to him several times, speaking anxiously, and, with that polite disregard for truth, which is a habit with some people, her companion had answered, No, I think not. So the first of the conference was lost to Caroline.

Starting point is 11:12:29 This was a trial. The informal meetings of the CLSC had been to her quite as helpful as any other exercise. We shall not lose much if we are late, Kent Monteith had said. It is simply talk that they are having today all about things which people have known for a lifetime. Some people, she had answered, smiling, in no wise annoyed. realized her own ignorance as much, possibly more than ever. But since she was learning, every day it had ceased to be so sad a thing to her. When they entered the hall, the thing which annoyed her

Starting point is 11:13:07 was the one that the young man had meant should give her pleasure, the walking down the length of that hall, with many eyes on her, and with some at least, knowing that she was accompanied by Kent Monteith, the young artist, who, the wise one said, was destined to be famous. notoriety of that sort would never be pleasant to caroline raynor it was one of several mistakes which her companion made in his judgment of her character only second to this was her annoyance over the undertone conversation in which he persisted though he must have seen that she wanted to listen I admire Vincent, for his patience with this sort of thing, was one of his comments. It is a mark of genius, I suppose, for a scholar to be so good-natured over what must bore him immensely. Imagine a man's having to stop in the midst of a flow of thought to explain to somebody how to pronounce mustache. Yet, if somebody doesn't know, why shouldn't Dr. Vincent tell him, persisted Caroline.

Starting point is 11:14:10 This isn't the time for a flow of thought. it is the time to ask questions and have them answered. Why doesn't somebody go to the dictionary and discover for himself if he considers the pronunciation of the word an important question? It is the triviality of the interruptions with which I am quarreling. This is a time for important questions and careful answers, in my opinion. Caroline gave her head an emphatic shake. No, she said earnestly.

Starting point is 11:14:40 That is what has been the fault of all literary society. societies everywhere. They confined themselves to what a few of the cultured leaders were pleased to consider important questions, and left out all talk about that which they might have known for years it is true, but of which some of their less fortunate listeners were in utter ignorance. Such as the pronunciation of mustache, for instance, he said, stroking his own silken one in good-humored sarcasm. Yes, even that, if there is a right and a wrong way to to pronounce it, why should I not be taught the right? I insist that you could go to the dictionary and learn, without taking Dr. Vincent's valuable time to tell you. But the trouble is I should

Starting point is 11:15:25 not discover myself in the wrong unless in some way my attention was called to it. For instance, Mr. Monteth, I notice you say precedence. Now, I should never have known that the words should be pronounced precedence, had I not heard a member of the circle refer to it as, as, and I should never have known. an error." Are you sure? he asked her, his face flushing a little. Yes, she told him she was quite sure, because his own father had spoken of it one evening, and a discussion had arisen which sent them to their dictionaries to learn that they were wrong and he was right.

Starting point is 11:16:02 I stand corrected, he said, laughing. It was one of young Monteth's charms that he could laugh gaily over his own defeats, thus stamping the actual unimportance of them. Then, much to Caroline's satisfaction, he gave undivided attention for a few minutes to the talk. Presently he leaned toward her and said, There's another argument for you, I have always said luxurious, and I really believe I shall continue to do so. Luxurious is horrid. I don't think I need another argument to convince you, Caroline said, I think you like the whole Chautauqua movement very much, only you have such a habit of talking at random, of saying things that at most you only half mean, just to see what

Starting point is 11:16:48 reply people will make, or for some other reason that I do not understand. I wish you oftener talked just as you thought, or that we were always sure what you thought. Her tone, which had been light at first, grew serious. Something in it touched the listener, apparently more than he wished her to see. Why do you care? He asked the question almost tenderly, and waited with marked eagerness for her answer. I care on his account. There was no mistaking the earnestness in Caroline's voice now. She inclined her head as she spoke toward young Robert Fenton. The boy sat just in front of them, ignorant of their presence, wholly absorbed in the enjoyment of the hour.

Starting point is 11:17:34 Robert is at the age when he believes in his friends. There might have been some sarcasm in Caroline's voice now, though her manner did not indicate it. And he is so unfortunate as to believe all you say, possibly more than you say. He draws inferences, perhaps, which you may not intend. It is injuring him, undoing much good that he might, and I believe would otherwise get from Chautauqua.

Starting point is 11:18:02 I can't think what your object is. He was disappointed in her reason for caring. He showed it instantly by the manner in which he settled back, with a slight frown on his face, but he spoke lightly enough. The boy is fortunate in having such an interested friend. I half envy him. Then, seeing that she made no sort of answer, after a moment of silence he leaned toward her again. You mistake, he said, I do not like the whole Chautauqua movement. I am as deep. interested in its literary intentions as ever, but there is a prominent element in it that I am entirely out of sympathy with. I presume I may have showed my distaste in talking with your young friend. A pair of very grave eyes were raised to his, and the directness of the question demanded a direct answer. Just what do you mean? Why, I mean. Some way direct questions

Starting point is 11:18:59 always embarrassed him. What should I mean? I don't. I don't. don't know," said Caroline very quietly. Well, surely you have noticed that every lecture, or at least nearly every lecture, we have had here this season, scientific, philosophical, or otherwise, has partaken very largely of the character of a sermon. I have not discovered it. What is the peculiar characteristic of a sermon? He laughed at this, and complimented her on being skilled in the Socratic method of

Starting point is 11:19:31 argument. And Caroline, privately resolving that she would take occasion as soon as she could, to learn what the Socratic method was, waited for his answer. Well now, Miss Raynor, you surely know that there has been an alarming amount of religion chinked into the lectures, addresses, and whatnot this summer. Has it alarmed you? Did you expect irreligion at a Sabbath school assembly? Oh, Sabbath school assembly. That is only a pet name to catch a certain class. Chautauqua is a literary and scientific college. The talent gathered here would do honor to any institution of learning in this country, or Europe. Yet, as I say, they have marred the whole by constantly forcing this question upon us. Are literary and scientific people

Starting point is 11:20:20 afraid of religion? He could not help smiling at the keenness of the question. Oh no, he said in utmost good nature, but you see we consider it irrelevant. Oh, then the talent gathered here that would do credit to this country in Europe is not, after all, capable of judging when it uses irrelevant matter? Whereupon he laughed outright, albeit he was a little annoyed, and Caroline startled, looked up, relieved to discover that the roundtable had adjourned, and the talking that was going on was being done informally by different groups. "'Come,' her companion said, observing this also in rising. "'I am glad this Boris meeting is over. I beg your pardon. Everything bores me today outside of the actual conversation which I am anxious to carry on with you. Let us take a walk. There are some things that I want to say to you. There are too many people here.'

Starting point is 11:21:18 "'There are some things that I want to say to you,' Caroline said, trying to smile, and gathering her papers preparatory to carrying out his suggestion. I am glad. Occasionally you make me feel that the last thing you have any desire to do is to bestow the slightest attention on my unworthy self. There was just enough of mock deference in the tone to enable Caroline to take this as trifling, so she answered it with a laugh,

Starting point is 11:21:47 although the color of her cheeks deepened. I want to talk to you about Robert, she said, Mr. Montief, I do you the honor to believe that you have no intention of doing him harm, and no idea that you are harming him, but I tell you in all earnestness that you certainly are, you are undermining the faith in which he was reared. She did him too much honor, and in the light of Dr. Meredith's sermon, he realized it, but he answered evasively. What is a faith worth that can be so readily undermined? Not much it is true. Robert hasn't genuine faith. If he had, I should not fear for him. He has simply his early education, not founded as yet, on solid rock. But what use is there in your pushing even the sand on which he stands from beneath his feet? I wish you cared a little for my welfare, Miss Raynor, instead of bestowing your entire interest on Robert.

Starting point is 11:22:47 Mr. Monteth, I do care. She spoke the words earnestly, and the color flushed deeply in her cheeks. He entirely mistook the cause. How could he know that she blushed over the thought that she had really given very little time or prayer to this young man? Thank you, he said, and his voice was very gentle. Then, after a moment of silence, I don't mean any harm to the boy, Miss Caroline. He is a bright young, fellow, and I like to trip him up a little and see him scramble out. Honestly, I don't believe I have injured him. He is too quick-witted. I am not half so bad a fellow as I appear to be. I am more in earnest about a good many things than you have any idea of. I am sincere in thinking that we have

Starting point is 11:23:37 had a little too much mixture of religion here this summer. I enjoy purely scientific lectures without any hint of that which does not strictly belong, and— But anxious as Caroline was to hold him to the subject of Robert, until she had secured what she wished, she by no means intended to let him slip away with that bit of sophistry still on his lips, so she interrupted at this point. Please tell me, Mr. Monteth, which of the scientific gentleman here is so poorly prepared for his work that he has introduced into his lecture

Starting point is 11:24:11 that which does not strictly belong there. Is Joseph Cook one? I shall not commit the folly of criticizing Joseph Cook, I assure you, he said, half laughing, half annoyed. I am not of the same caliber as our friend Jack Butler. Let us drop that part of the discussion. I will even admit that the hint about matter that did not strictly belong is in bad taste when one remembers the eminent scholars to whom I applied it. They are Christian men, firm belmont. believers in their theories of religion, and I am not. That makes all the difference in the world, I presume. But suppose the thing is not quite to my taste. I have never, for a moment, believed that the Chautauqua idea was originated in an attempt to please my taste. Now, will you

Starting point is 11:24:59 talk of something else? Will you first promise me something? I could find it in my heart to promise you almost anything. Thank you. It is not a very startling promise. that I ask for, nor one that will tax your generosity greatly. I simply want to know if you will not avoid a form of talk, such as you have been indulging in with Robert. Talk calculated to set him to doubting and speculating instead of resting. Why, I promise, he said, laughing again, though I warn you that I don't believe it will do any good. The boy is of an investigating turn of mind, and he will get at the root of things. He is not the sort of fellow to be put in a corner like a good boy to learn his Bible lesson and recite it to his teacher.

Starting point is 11:25:46 He will want to know what it means, and also what it doesn't mean. To refuse to answer the questions that he asks me is not going to keep him from learning the truth sooner or later. By the time this sentence was concluded, Caroline's eyes were flashing. I hope with all my soul that he will learn the truth, she said. It is what I constantly pray for. Mr. Montief, you mistake, I do not want to keep him in ignorance of anything. If, instead of answering his questions in your way,

Starting point is 11:26:19 giving answers which I know you will admit, after thinking about them, are not worthy the name of answers, you will refer him to your father for information. It will be all that I can ask. He winced under that. How could he help it? But Caroline did not care. If he wished to stand well in her eyes,

Starting point is 11:26:39 he had lost ground wonderfully during the last few minutes. She liked frankness. She detested sophistry. Now to prove to you, he said with a great show of earnestness, how little I care for this whole thing, I will promise not to speak another word beyond a civil good morning to the boy while we are at Chautauqua. I mean nothing, I assure you.

Starting point is 11:27:04 She by no means wished for this. She could readily see that appointed neglect of Robert at this time might lead to more harm in the end than the present apparently warm friendship existing between them could do. Yet it hurt her to think that he had meant so little by his kindnesses that he could throw the boy off so easily. She would have liked him better if he had at least meant friendship. I exact no such promise as that, she answered coldly, and to his suggestion that they should drop the boy and talk about something else, she replied that she thought it quite time to go home. Oh, not yet, he answered eagerly. You are always in haste to go home if I

Starting point is 11:27:47 chance to be with you. I have had no opportunity to show you the wonders of this place or to tell you anything, and I had promised myself so much pleasure in doing it. They had wandered by one of the many crossing avenues back to the hall by this time, and as it was being glorified by the setting sun, they stopped to admire it. This hall is of itself an actual inspiration, the young man said. Let us sit down. It would give me much pleasure to tell you about it,

Starting point is 11:28:18 about the old hall after which it is modeled, or at least that suggested it. The wonders of the Parthenon, that grand old mass of marble, would have just delighted you. I can imagine how your eyes would glow over even a description of it. May I tell you about it?

Starting point is 11:28:35 I fancy I have a passably clear conception of the ancient model, she said, still speaking coldly, at another time it would have given her delight to learn more, to hear him talk, but she could not so soon forget that he had wounded her, had shown himself to be selfish and indifferent to the mischief that he did. He was by no means willing to dismiss the Parthenon so soon. He had counted on it, on his description of its ancient glory, to love. light up her face with one of those rare, eager smiles. He began to talk in the easy, half-narrative, half-conversational way in which he was so gifted, but at every point Caroline annoyed him by merely assenting to his statements as something that she had known before, and no glow came

Starting point is 11:29:23 to her face. "'Yes, I know,' she said simply, when he told her about the statuary that graced the ancient temple, or described the view from the point on which he stood when when he last visited the ruins. I thought you told me you knew nothing about all these wonderful things, he said at last, a shade of annoyance plainly visible in his tones. People can learn, you know, she said, speaking lightly, I have learned a great deal at Chautauqua. And then she insisted on going immediately and by the most direct route to the cottage. of Chapter 34

Starting point is 11:30:03 Chapter 35 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibervox recording is in the public domain. That is a fact. Do you know anything about tent life? I wonder if you have really any idea of how pretty a spot its white wings can enclose. Had you known nothing of it and been able to step inside of young wards

Starting point is 11:30:31 when the finishing touches had been given to it, you could hardly have failed of being charmed. Wonders had been done with it. In the first place, the floor was covered with matting of a neat pattern and pretty coloring. Joseph Ward had not aspired to any such elegance, but a motherly neighbor who had five boys, gone from her out into the world of business, had watched the young man's enterprise with almost a mother's interest, had counseled matting by all means,

Starting point is 11:31:00 and enforced her advice by dragging out from her capacious attic, enough to cover the tent floor. Then every member of the Fenton Cottage seemed to have become individually interested in tent number 25, which named Joe had given it as soon as the stakes were set. Only he knew the reason therefore. Caroline had washed and ironed and mended certain sheaths, spreads, etc., rented from the association at a low figure because unlaundried, and then had spent parts of two days in putting into completest order the cots which occupied, hide all available space, after which she was persistent in her statements that curtains were

Starting point is 11:31:42 needed to divide the roomy tent into compartments. Such nonsense, declared Mrs. Fenton, as if nobody ever set up a tent before, and as if it would ever come to anything. You are all growing wild over that boy's folly. Then she went down into the depths of her trunk and fished therefrom certain old-fashioned chins curtains of delicate pattern, which she admitted she had stuffed in, moved thereto by some dim notion that housekeeping in the woods might demand something of the sort. But the well-furnished cottage had not needed them. They were pronounced by a chorus of eager voices, the very thing for Joe's tent. And Mrs. Fenton, still insisting that it was all nonsense, sewed steadily away into midnight, shortening, turning,

Starting point is 11:32:31 hemming, puckering, until she had the wherewith to convert the wall. one large room into five. People who go to Chautauqua and watch the crowds pouring in to demand abiding places, learn to economize space. Young Robert caught the spirit of the hour, and himself cut and trimmed and fashioned a lovely hat-rack, composed of the natural branches of a brave young tree that had to be sacrificed to make room for a new house. This he skillfully set in one corner of the tent, near the entrance. Paul Adams looked in upon them one day, while two or three of the helpers were at work, asked a few questions as to space and intentions, then after a consultation or two with Mr. Tucker, and the laying aside

Starting point is 11:33:16 of certain pieces of lumber, pronounced by that worthy of no account, he left his Latin grammar unopened for the space of one evening, and sawed and hammered and planed, and brought around the next morning a table that exactly fitted into a certain spot in the tent. Then forsooth it must have a spread. And who should become interested in that, but Effie Butler herself, concocting out of a cast-off white muslin, a ruffled and plated garment that revolutionized the plain pine boards, making them into such a thing of beauty that Paul Adams stood and stared at it in a maze, and wondered in his heart if his mother knew how to make such a rig, and felt a dawning sense of respect for Miss Effie Butler, while Mrs. Fenton was elated, and declared

Starting point is 11:34:04 she should not regret any of the trouble now, for the Enterprise had actually startled Effie Butler into doing something useful. So the tent furnishings grew. When the separating curtains went up, Caroline, finding more than enough, confiscated one and curtained off a corner by itself for toilet purposes. But it was left for the little Amy to add the finishing touches which, after all, glorified the whole. What were they? Oh, I can hardly tell. a few yards of cheesecloth, a yard or two of blue cambric, and lo, the toilet stand and the openings designed for windows and doors blossomed into beauty. Even the improvised hat rack came in for its share of burnishing, and when James Ward, directed all the bright,

Starting point is 11:34:51 happy afternoon by Amy's skilled eyes and tongue, had finished his work with hammer and tacks, and stepped down from his perch, all the helpers stood back and exclaimed and admired. "'Look at it,' said Mrs. Fenton. "'Here we have been at work for two days, "'and the child comes in with her bits of cambric and her needle, "'and in two hours transforms the place so that we don't recognize it. "'I have just added the cake in the sweetmeats,' declared Amy with her happy little laugh, "'but what would they be worth without the more substantial dishes?'

Starting point is 11:35:26 "'The beds, for instance,' said Joe dryly, "'but he was well pleased with it all.' These days were bringing unusual experiences to Joe. It was the first time since his mother kissed him goodbye that he ever remembered receiving kindly help from others. Much of the constant help that his father had given him had been rendered in such a fashion that the boy had not recognized it as help. And here were all these people at work for him with as much energy as though they expected

Starting point is 11:35:56 to reap results. Part of the time Joe did not know whether he liked the new order of things or not. He felt in a constant state of embarrassment. There was another who was embarrassed somewhat. Accidentally, Dr. Monteth had discovered something of the history of the tent, discovered also that the loan of $25 had given Mr. Fenton an influence over a young ward that probably no other person possessed. The instant question became, How can that influence be turned to account for the boy? Seeking out Mr. Fenton, during an hour of leisure, Dr. Monteith overwhelmed him by presenting the case to him.

Starting point is 11:36:38 I'm sure I don't know how to do anything for boys. He said in a tone that was almost pitiful in its pleading. My own boy is more than I can understand. I've never felt that I was the proper guide for him in anything. It has worried me ever since he was born. I don't want to have influence over other boys. I don't know what to do for them. Yes, but my friend, you have. You have a influence over them, you see. There is no possible way of escaping from it. This young fellow, because of your kindness to him, the world has not bestowed much of that article on him I fancy, has concluded that you are the best friend he has, and he is almost ready to do anything you suggest. That is a heavy responsibility in connection with just such a young man as he.

Starting point is 11:37:26 I should think it was, said Mr. Fenton, wiping his forehead. I tell you, I don't. I don't don't know what to do with it. There is no reason for it either. I'm nothing to the boy. I only lent him a little money, a mere trifling business transaction, nothing to think of twice. Look here, my friend. Did you lend the boy the money because you recognized in the matter an excellent business investment, or did you lend it because you wanted to hold out a helping hand to one who was very low down the hill, and who seemed for the first time intended to climb. "'I suppose,' said Mr. Fenton, dropping his eyes and blushing as though he had been caught in a meanness, "'I suppose I was trying an experiment that I thought might help him a little. I hadn't much

Starting point is 11:38:13 hopes that it would amount to anything.' "'Exactly, don't you suppose the boy understands? He knows you did not do it for an investment. He is not used to kindly deeds. You have the boy's heart. somewhere in your hands. What can I do for him? said Mr. Fenton, mopping his forehead again and looking actually frightened. He had felt the responsibility of his own boy so greatly, how could he have it added to? What does he need? What he needs, said Dr. Monteth, with a gravely sweet smile, is to accept of the Lord Jesus Christ and serve him forever. It is the only way of safety and honor for him as for others.

Starting point is 11:38:58 Yes, said Mr. Fenton, the nervous flush on his face rising to his forehead. I knew you would say something like that. Now you see, I'm not the one. I don't know the first thing about helping a fellow in any such direction, or influencing him. May I ask my friend, whose fault it is that you do not? It was a gently put question. The tone was tender and grave, yet it can't. carried such weight with it that it seemed to Mr. Fenton's conscience almost like a blow.

Starting point is 11:39:30 I suppose it is my own fault, he said slowly. But, Professor, tell me this. How can I direct anybody on a road that I know nothing at all about? I don't know. It was all the answer that this question received, positively spoken, accompanied by the gravest of looks. There were no other words, but the look added nearly as plainly as word. could have done. Does that view of the case remove your responsibility? Meantime, the white cots in the tent were not spread in vain. There were several

Starting point is 11:40:05 reasons for this. In the first place, it had been made, as I have told you, most inviting. A few shillings in New York parlance, a few hours of skilled labor, a careful expenditure of space, an unusual display of taste, had made Fairyland out of the prosaic canvas walls. The pretty Emy was daily adding to these effects by bringing mosses and ferns and scarlet leaves and berries wherewith, in lieu of pictures, to decorate the canvas walls. Who is so foolish as to suppose that men, most men, care for none of these things? Many of them have not the least idea that they care for such trifles. Yet the most obtuse specimen among them is well aware that one room, which contains all the

Starting point is 11:40:51 necessaries connected with brief living, he, hates, and another, containing not another article that he is capable of mentioning, he likes. Why? He doesn't know. Ten chances to one, it is the bit of blue or pink cambric, or cheap Nottingham lace, or bright mosses and berries, that he has not seen at all, and might affect to despise if he did. Certain persons who had reared tents for renting at Chautauqua ignored this phase of human nature, and the consequence was that Young Wards cots were all rented before theirs. Another reason was he had friends, Dr. Monteth, for instance. When the boats came in laden, and the question of importance was, where shall we lodge?

Starting point is 11:41:38 As hotels and cottages filled with permanent guests became out of the question, it was easy to suggest a specially neat and well-managed tent on Lake Avenue. Still a third and all-important reason was the fact that crowds of people, unexpectedly immense crowds, poured into Chautauqua and filled every available space. Of course, the five white carefully made cots found pleased occupants, $5 a night for the privilege of occupying young ward's tent. At that rate, how long would it take for the boy to secure $25 with which to pay his note? What an enormous price to pay for a night's lodging, grown the uninitiated.

Starting point is 11:42:20 Well, it is true there were cheaper cots than that. They could be had in some of the tents for fifty cents each. But there were some, many it transpired, who chose the exquisite neatness, the careful conveniences, the constant attention to comfort, the touches of refinement seen everywhere, and cheerfully paid the dollar a day. Of course you needn't sleep in them unless you want to,

Starting point is 11:42:45 would Joe say innocently to any who hinted that his cuts were high-priced. There's cheaper ones, but there's been fifty-scent. sense a day spent an extra work on these, and we calculate to keep them looking just so all the time. And whatever the just so covered, it took the fancy of the people. The sensation with which Joe Ward fingered over the first $25 he had ever earned may possibly by some be imagined, but it cannot be described. What to do with it was a question that kept him awake for half of one night. To give it to Mr. Fenton was his own.

Starting point is 11:43:23 his first thought. His second was to wait for that until the second twenty-five was earned. There was almost no risk about it. The first week of the assembly was hardly over, and here were the crisp bills representing a quarter of a hundred. What did he want to do with it? Mrs. Fenton would surely have forgiven him, could she have known that he just longed to enclose it in an envelope and send it to his father? The thought of the elder ward's utter amazement and incredulity, made Joe laugh aloud in the middle of the night, and caused his brother to wonder what in the world was the matter. Dreaming aloud, said Joe, and he laughed again. What fun it would be, his father had told him dozens of times that there was no hope of his ever

Starting point is 11:44:11 earning assent. Joe liked to disappoint people. It was a great struggle, he argued the question for one mortal hour, told himself, several times that he was a fool, and turned over and turned his pillow, and answered his invisible opponent snappishly, to the effect that, of course, he would have another twenty-five, and there wasn't the least danger of his making a slip, and of course he meant to take up his note, never meant anything more in his life. Then he lay still for a while, his eyes fixed on the strongly defined rafters, and at last, sure by the steady heavy breathing that James was asleep, He expressed his determination out loud.

Starting point is 11:44:54 No, sir, Joe Ward, you don't do it. He trusted you, and you were never trusted before in your life, not even by your father. He couldn't help it to be sure. There was nothing to trust, but the other one did it. And he shall be paid tomorrow. Not one hour later will I wait. I'll earn the other 25 and maybe a trifle more.

Starting point is 11:45:19 In fact, I know I shall. I see a way to do it, and this first one shall be in Mr. Fenton's pocket before nine o'clock tomorrow morning. Then Joe went to sleep. It was owing to this resolution that he dressed himself with unusual care the next morning, even waiting to blacken his boots. The occasion was a peculiar one. He was to take up his first note. Suppose it was twenty-five hundred, he said, counting the bills over-lingeringly once more. I'd like to pay out money. As true as I live I would,

Starting point is 11:45:54 always supposing I had it to pay. There is a kind of excitement about it. I just believe I shall pay out a $2,500 yet. $25,000 maybe, folks do. This wild flight of fancy made his eyes sparkle. A close student of human nature watching him would have been sure that Chautauqua had either created or awakened in this boy, a spirit of enterprise. In the near future, the boy with his $25 will develop into the man

Starting point is 11:46:24 with his $2,500, and they will seem as nothing to him compared with these five crisp bills. You understand, I suppose, that during this time our young businessman was an inmate of the Fenton Cottage, his proportion of the expenses duly arranged for by his father. It was not, therefore, a rare thing to meet Mr. Fenton, Yet the boy's cheeks glowed with excitement. He put on an air as of complete indifference as though this little business transaction were an everyday occurrence, and centered into the sitting-room after Mr. Fenton. Once there he talked about the weather, the meetings,

Starting point is 11:47:03 the crowds that constantly gathered, and even the hopeful look of the peach-crop, before he reached the grand object of the interview. Well, sir, he said at last, laying down the book he had been opening and shutting for the last five minutes. I've come to take up that note this morning. What? said Mr. Fenton in genuine astonishment. My note you know that I gave you. I'm ready now to take it up.

Starting point is 11:47:30 Why, said Mr. Fenton, it is only a few days since you borrowed the money. You can't be ready to pay it so soon. I am ready, repeated the young businessman, and he gravely and tenderly counted out the precious bills for the last time. Then he dived into his vest pocket and produced four shining coppers, laying the hole with an air of great satisfaction on the table in front of Mr. Fenton. "'What is all this?' said that bewildered gentleman. When Joe gravely explained that that was, as nearly as he could calculate, the interest due on the loan, the face of the elder gentleman relaxed in a broad smile. The ludicrous side of the whole transaction presented itself to his mind,

Starting point is 11:48:16 relieving the embarrassment. It is the most satisfactory investment I ever made in my life, he said heartily. I have been almost as much pleased with your success, and especially with the vim in which you went to work, as I would have been if you had been my own boy. Then a memory of Dr. Montief's hints coming forcibly to him, the embarrassment returned. How was he to say anything toward helping this boy to the place where, according to Professor Monteth, he ought to stand? I wonder to what extent the gracious spirit of God hovers near to suggest and help those who never ask for his help. It would be perhaps a difficult question to answer, but it would certainly seem as though the tender spirit, of whose very existence

Starting point is 11:49:04 as a helper Mr. Fenton was lamentably ignorant, chose wise words for him to say it, that moment. Nothing would have been easier than for him to have utterly disgusted the young man before him by the repetition of a few platitudes on a subject about which he himself was ignorant. To have talked with young Ward about religion from a platform which professed itself as above that on which the young man stood, would either have irritated or hopelessly amused him. What Mr. Fenton did say was, Joe, they say that you and I are both working on the wrong road." "'On the wrong road?' repeated Joe, surprised yet complacent.

Starting point is 11:49:47 There was nothing offensive in being quoted as on the same road with the eminently respectable and thoroughly respected businessman. Joe recognized it as a compliment. "'Yes,' said Mr. Fenton, fingering his bills in an embarrassed manner. Then suddenly he raised his eyes and looked full into the young fellow's face. Since he had undertaken this plain speaking, he meant to carry it out, new business though it was to him, and something of the great importance of the subject served to add gravity to his words and subdue his embarrassment. They say, my boy, that we ought to be on the road with the Lord Jesus Christ, and I don't know but it is true.

Starting point is 11:50:30 Anyway, it is worth our while to think about it. Said Joe, that is a fact. He had not intended to answer that. thus, the words seemed almost forced from him by reason of his great surprise. He always answered all such appeals in a thoroughly amused, good-natured manner, but for some reason Mr. Fenton's singular way of putting it took hold of him. That is a fact, he repeated, still in utmost gravity, and he put on his hat and went out without saying another word. The thing had never impressed him as a fact before. He walked the length of the avenue,

Starting point is 11:51:08 down toward the lake, still with the grave, preoccupied look on his face, and then he said aloud once more, that is a fact. End of Chapter 35 Chapter 36 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Cooperation The next thing that our Chautauqua friends did was to absorb themselves utterly in a scheme of cottage building.

Starting point is 11:51:42 It is not known in whose wise brain the first thought. concerning their brilliant plan had birth, though Mrs. Fenton believes that it grew out of Joe Ward's earnestly expressed wish that they had a house of their own. Caroline took hold of the thought with vigor, and Robert Fenton may have been said to dash into the center of it on first mention. The scheme was a novel one. It grew by inches, but, when fully developed, was unlike anything that had been planned before, even in that most original of places. have cooperative all sorts of things nowadays, Mr. Masters had said. I wonder why it wouldn't be a good idea to have cooperative house building. Somebody repeated that sentence to Young Ward, who said it was

Starting point is 11:52:28 exactly in a line with what he had been thinking of. So, what was at first simply talk, grew into a very short space of time into actual deeds. A cottage at Chautauqua, owned and controlled by the Centerville CLSC. Such was their ambition. After diligent investigation, it was discovered, and the discovery was reduced to actual figures, that $1,000 would not only buy a lot, but build and furnish a cottage. Notwithstanding the skepticism of some on this point, the enthusiastic young people succeeded in getting the signatures of responsible parties to the statement. The next thing in order was to raise the money. It was misdemeanor. Mr. Fenton, who proposed that the $1,000 should be divided into shares of $50 each,

Starting point is 11:53:18 and that each person who chose to join them should take one or more shares. Then young Robert took up the matter with glee, prepared a paper and circulated it that very evening at the tea table, to secure the names of stockholders, his eyes shining like stars over the fact that his father not only took a share for himself and one for his wife, but coolly forged his son's name and added another 50. Caroline surprised them all by giving her signature.

Starting point is 11:53:47 Mrs. Fenton knew her as a careful economist, but even she did not understand how $50 could have been saved for this purpose. The pretty Amy unhesitatingly took a share, admitting that it would only need a little careful planning of her pin money to meet such a small amount. Of course, the president of the circle took one, but carefully refrained from doing more than that, and counseled that each one's stock should be confined to that amount

Starting point is 11:54:15 in order to make an equal interest. This required some correspondence with members not present at Chautauqua and bade fair to cause delay until the president proposed to go security for certain absentees. So before the close of the second day, the amount named was secured. It was a surprise to some that Joe Ward's name was among the stockhold, but sundry long talks with the president had been held before he finally signed it, and the wise ones hinted that he had given his note for part of the payment, and that the president of the circle had promptly discounted the note.

Starting point is 11:54:53 The new scheme met with great favor, even Effie Butler rousing to the importance of it, and actually offering a suggestion or two as to the length of the front windows and the size of the parlor. A builder who could do wonders was the next requisite. Mr. Tucker was out of the question. He shook his head wistfully when the plan was explained to him, admitted that the whole thing just took his fancy, and he should like no better fun, but them two houses that he had promised for the professor

Starting point is 11:55:24 were larger and finer and had more work on them than any on the grounds, and would take every single inch of his time while the meetings lasted. You see, he explained, His lots is so near the amphitheater there as they call it, though I don't see no theater about it, and they wouldn't let a fellow saw a board or drive a nail while the meetings is on, and they are on most of the time, so we make slow work, and I can't go into it know-how. But I know a man who can. His name is Scott, and a likelier kind of a builder I ain't met very often.

Starting point is 11:55:59 He is just finishing of a house down on Jane's Avenue. It went up like lightning. I'd never see anything like it. One morning no sign of a house on that lot, and the next, there it stood. That fellow worked. I've seen a good deal of fast work in my day, but I'm free to confess I never saw anything to our state like the way that house went up. No sham work either, I watched it. Fact is, it kind of fascinated me, and I hung around there at all hours and watched. And neither that man nor the other, there's two of them, and they worked together, the other's name is Brooks, Well, sir, neither of them shirked a hair. It is just downright honest hard work. You see, their word was at stake. They had promised the house at such a day and hour in good shape,

Starting point is 11:56:47 and says Mr. Scott to me, When I pass my word for a thing, I calculate to do it if it is a possible thing to do. And if I have to go without my dinners and work all night, this house shall be done at the time. Well, sir, it was, and they moved in, and the owner himself told me that the house was every bit it promised to be. You might go and see it.

Starting point is 11:57:09 It is right round there on Jane's Avenue near the corner. We like men who can keep their word, said Dr. Monteth, to whom this explanation was made, and he wrote in his notebook the names of the builders in question. The result of this conference and several others was that Mr. Scott was engaged to build the cooperative cottage, Now, in addition to all their other pursuits, the excitement of watching a house of their own, go swiftly up, was added. What a delight it was to some who had never really expected to own a foot of land can be better imagined than described.

Starting point is 11:57:47 Perhaps to none it was more of an inspiration than to Joseph Ward. He spent every moment that could be spared from his two tents on the ground, watching the progress of the new building. Did you not know that he had two tents? Well, it chanced that a tenter living near to him, with whom he had exchanged certain neighborly kindnesses, was unexpectedly called home, and having become interested in the young man's enterprise, placed his well-furnished tent in Joe's hands, with full permission to rent at his discretion, with the understanding that when the assembly closed, the tent and all its belongings should be safely housed in a spot named.

Starting point is 11:58:26 So a stranger of but a few days' acquaintance contributed his might, toward the young man's education, for that Chautauqua was educating him into a businessman was evident. His first taste of enterprise had been so thoroughly relished that it had taken complete hold of his imagination. From that time, Joseph Ward reveled in a world of his own, wherein houses and lots owned by himself abounded. Meantime, he was no mean helper at the new house whose walls rose swiftly as he sawed and planed and hammered, guided by the skillful eye and cheery voice of the master builder. Almost he decided that he would be his own carpenter, building his own houses. There was one stockholder whose name I have neglected to mention. This was no other than

Starting point is 11:59:16 Paul Adams. The fact astonished nobody more than himself. He was so amazed when Mr. Fenton showed him his name on the contract, and opposite it, those men were in his name. magic figures, that beyond one short sharp whistle he made no sound. Yet the explanation was simple. I have told you that Mr. Tucker was deeply interested, had many questions to ask. So you don't let anybody in unless he belongs to your ABC, eh? was one of them. No, said Dr. Montief, smiling. It is connected with our own local circle. Well, after a meditative pause, during which he had whittled a chip, as he always did when in deep thought. I don't belong to no circle, don't expect to,

Starting point is 12:00:04 not of a book learning kind, but I know somebody who does, and I don't see his name here. I want to put it down in black and white. Never mind if the number is made up. Drop out one of the folks that ain't here to speak for themselves. If they'd wanted to be in, they ought to be here, and I'm bound he shall be in anyway. You are better at writing than I am, more used to it. You just write his name and the figures while I count out the 50. It isn't any more than I meant to add to his wages. He deserves it if a boy ever did. I hired him kind of low in the first place

Starting point is 12:00:39 because I didn't more than one quarter believe in him, and I ain't raised him because I was kind of afraid of setting him up more than would be good for him. Folks are uncommon afraid of that, you know, in this world, though I think myself people get set down a good deal oftener than they get set up. Here's the fifty, good clean bills. Have you got the name ready?" "'You haven't given me the name yet,' Professor Monteth said. His McKinnon pen unscrewed. His smiling mouth told the story of his satisfaction.

Starting point is 12:01:12 "'Why, Paul Adams, of course,' said Mr. Tucker, astonished that anyone should presume to be so dull as not to know the boy in whom he was specially interested. So it transpired that Mr. Fenton showed Paul Adams his name that even, written in beautiful characters, with the remarkable sum of fifty dollars set down opposite. After the first astonished whistle and the silence that followed came a look of intense gravity. I don't know about that, he said shaking his head. Fact is, I made up my mind to drive my own nails right straight through this world, and I kind of like to stick to it. I'm obliged to whoever did it, I'm sure, but I don't know about it as true as you live.

Starting point is 12:01:57 "'Every nail of it is your own,' Dr. Montief said with a pleased smile. "'He liked Paul none the worse for his strong ideas of independence. "'Your employer told me that the sum put down here was not a cent more than he owed you "'above what he had already paid. "'He has been contemplating a rise of wages for some time, "'and he thought you would like to invest the money in this way.' "'Did Mr. Tucker put it down?' said Paul, and his voice was eager and his eyes were bright.

Starting point is 12:02:29 This made it certain that thus far in his business life he had been a success. Oh, the pretty house! If you are the fortunate owner of several houses, or even of only one, you will hardly be able to enter with complete success into the feelings of certain of these Chautauquins who had never possessed a foot of land before, as they watched from day to day the magic process of house building, realizing that these rooms were to belong to them.

Starting point is 12:02:58 Little pieces of home, Caroline called the different rooms. And I, who never expected to have even a piece of a home, should enjoy it thoroughly. Mr. Masters looked down at her almost pityingly as she said it. Did you never really expect to have a home? He asked her, and Caroline, detecting the undertone of feeling in his voice, and remembering that he also had been one of the one of the way, the homeless ones, answered brightly.

Starting point is 12:03:27 Oh, yes! Indeed I did and do. I would not for a moment forget it. I look for a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. This young man, who was himself a builder, you will remember, liked to watch the progress of the new house, almost as well as did the stockholders. He was at this time engaged in directing the uprearing of three new and elegant cottages on one of the main avenues. They represented thousands, where the cooperative cottage did hundreds.

Starting point is 12:04:00 Nevertheless, the heart of the builder was in this cottage which he was not building. He hovered about it, giving a wise suggestion now and then, keeping posted on all the improvements, and giving a careful eye to all the details. "'I don't know how it is,' he said, but I feel as though I were somehow a piece of the enterprise. I wish I could have taken hold of it myself. The thing fascinates me, though I could not have done better work than as being done for you. Why, Mrs. Fenton, you have the corner cupboards. Of course we have, said that lady briskly. I do not believe Caroline would have invested

Starting point is 12:04:39 in the enterprise if we had not included them in the plan. She thinks nothing in the housekeeping line is so important. Oh, Mrs. Fenton, said Caroline with a deprecating laugh, but she She did not stop the little woman's tongue. I'll tell you what she said when she first regulated them, Mr. Masters. She assured me that some woman must have planned them, that no man would ever have thought of them in the world, and she was sure the builder's wife must have insisted on them.

Starting point is 12:05:11 I wonder where his wife is, was Mr. Masters rejoinder as he laughed lightly. He planned them carefully, expressly for her benefit, and she has never had the grace to thank him. She can take no credit to herself. I wanted to economize her time and her patience, so I studied it up. Do you really like them, Mrs. Fenton? Of course I do.

Starting point is 12:05:36 I wouldn't be a housekeeper if I didn't. It is quite time your wife had the benefit of them, I think, Mr. Masters. Sometimes I think so, he said quietly. I wish I was sure that she approved. Caroline had moved entirely away and was studying the view from one of the western windows. She was in no mood to hear these two frolic over her little dream of home. Perhaps the one whose absorbing interest in the building scheme astonished them the most was Effie Butler. She was not a stockholder, for the reason that she had never become a member of the CLSC,

Starting point is 12:06:13 for which Mrs. Fenton unhesitatingly expressed herself thankful. She doesn't belong, would that emphatic lady say with energy? She is off on a different strip. Don't you know that people are in strips? Whenever I see a new face, I can calculate in a few minutes from which strip it came. Now Effie is a good enough little goose, but she isn't one of our strip, and I'm really glad she isn't connected with this thing. This was early in the house building.

Starting point is 12:06:45 As it progressed, it became evident that if Effie's mother, was not in the enterprise, her heart was. She watched the progress of events with the deepest interest. She entered with zest into the discussions about furnishing, exhibiting such decided talent for originating pretty things, and offering to show them how to get them up at a trifling cost, that it became the custom to defer to her opinion. She really hasn't gotten herself up like a wax doll all these years for nothing, Mrs. Fenton admitted. She knows what is pretty and how to plan it. I wonder if everything about us, rightly managed, would become a talent.

Starting point is 12:07:27 And a power for good? said Caroline. That is an idea. I suppose it is so. All the pretty little plans that Effie and Amy and girls of their stamp seem to have, bubbling up continually, were intended to influence for good the people with whom they came in contact. "'Dear me,' said the matron, her cheeks flushing. "'Don't speak of Effie Butler and our little Amy in the same breath, I beg, "'as if they belonged to the same strip. "'Why, Amy has more sense in her little finger than Effie has all over her!'

Starting point is 12:08:02 "'And Caroline, smiling quietly, was content to have it so, "'remembering as she did, that it was hardly a week "'since Mrs. Fenton had expressed herself in equally plain and uncomplimentary terms about the pretty Amy. Others, beside Caroline, looked on with satisfaction over the fact that the sweet-faced little girl was taking such strides into the motherly woman's heart. She did not forget that Amy had come to her first

Starting point is 12:08:30 for help in the new life that had opened before her, and though she had been unable to give advice, still she looked upon the child as in some sense belonging to her, and watched over her with a new and tender care. As for Amy, neither did she forget that Mrs. Fenton was the first to whom she had spoken of her new experience. Perhaps it was this that awakened in her heart an intense longing to bring this woman into personal acquaintance with the Lord. And perhaps, though the matron did not know it, it was the subtle, powerful influence of answered prayer that daily twined her heart so closely around Amy's.

Starting point is 12:09:09 In more ways than one was the new recruit working. Mrs. Fenton had refused to consider the two girls as from the same strip, yet it is true that heretofore they had been quite too much alike to have the slightest interest in or patience with each other. But new interests had developed at Chautauqua, a powerful charm held them both. Both were singers. Amy not by any means a remarkable one, but she had a sweet, clear voice and a reasonably correct ear, while Effie, as much as much to her own surprise as that of any other, under the cultivation which Chautauqua offered, suddenly blossomed into a soloist of no small power. It was Professor Case who detected the voice that was flute-like in its sweetness, and was yet not singing loud enough for a less watchful ear to hear distinctly. It was he who called her out, and encouraged her and drilled her, and in short, amazed her by his emphatic statements as to what she could do, and ought to do. For a time she was bewildered. Who had ever told her that she ought to do

Starting point is 12:10:20 anything, or expected her to do anything but dress well, and keep the parlor in order, and dance gracefully, and have as good a time as she could? She had even grown up, so far, with a sort of feeling that it was unladylike to be intensely interested in anything. Almost against her will, the choir rehearsals began to interest her. The class-s were of music which was being studied was elevating, and without realizing its influence, she felt its power. The walks to and from the rehearsals were taken, nearly always, with Amy, as they too represented the most of the musical talent from the Fenton Cottage. It would have astonished, and at one time it might even have offended Effie Butler, to have hinted that the Society of

Starting point is 12:11:08 Little Amy Allison was elevating. Yet I wonder if you think that anyone can daily walk and talk with Christ as closely as did this new disciple of his, without having an elevating influence on those around her. It was new companionship for Effie. New themes were discussed, new influences set at work. Partly unknown to herself, half shrinking from the spell, the silent steady weaving of the new life went on around her. She actually did not like to admit that Chautauqua charmed her, yet it is true that she ceased to talk about hops as though they were the aim and end of all existence. It is true that she retired each night at an unprecedentedly early hour in her hitherto dissipating life. It is true that she awoke

Starting point is 12:11:58 each morning without the sense of weariness and on we to which she had been a victim, and found herself listening to the birds and enjoying their song, and planning with some show of mental energy for the occupations of the day. But it was not until one eventful evening when the amphitheater was crowded away to its remotest tier of seats with eager listeners, when the platform was seated with its grand chorus of four hundred voices, when the Jubilees had alternately hushed and thrilled the audience by their weird grand eloquence of song, and when she, Effie Butler, in floating robes of purest white, with no other ornament than a few sprays of delicate natural flowers, had come out alone before that great audience and sung a sweet, bright song,

Starting point is 12:12:46 and had been greeted by the delighted listeners with such deafening bursts of applause that she was obliged to appear again, that her foolish young heart went over entirely to the Chautauqua side. Henceforth, no more extravagant devotee could be found throughout the length of the avenues than Effie Butler. I wonder if everything about us rightly managed, would become a talent. That was the way Mrs. Fenton had expressed it, you will remember, and Caroline had finished the sentence in the way which she was sure the elder lady meant it. She thought of it again as she watched Effie Butler's voice, God-given, lead her steadily into daily companionship with what was ennobling. Did God design that through the channel of song

Starting point is 12:13:34 she should be led up to him? What a grand thing it would be to have that voice sing only his praise, and that idea from that time took hold of Caroline. End of Chapter 36. Chapter 37 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. The Fires of Genius Mrs. Fenton's face wore an air not only of perplexity, but anxiety. She sat in the low chair by the western window of her own room, but she was not looking out at the lovely sunset. In fact, she was not looking at anything but her own troubled thoughts. A shadow passed the window, causing her to look up, and she seemed relieved to discover that the substance was Caroline.

Starting point is 12:14:29 I'm glad you have come, she said, calling after her. Come here, please, as soon as you can. And Caroline, wondering, washed her hands in haste, set aside the peaches she had been preparing for tea, and obeyed the summons. I did not know. you had returned from the hall, said Mrs. Fenton. Sit down. How long have you been in the kitchen? I don't know, half an hour, perhaps, long enough to pair the peaches. Why? Have you heard anything peculiar, any unusual sounds? Oh, I don't know that you could hear them from the kitchen. Well, Caroline, have you noticed anything strange about Irene Butler during the last few days? Nothing more strange than that she seems to have deserted sculpture, said Caroline.

Starting point is 12:15:15 laughing. There is an unfinished dog standing on her toilet shelf who has stood there with half a nose and not a suggestion of a tale for three days. I remember thinking it's strange that she did not take pity on the poor creature and finish him. That is one of the signs, exclaimed Mrs. Fenton, by no means laughing, but in real distress. She has not been to the class for nearly a week, and you know how completely fascinated she was with it. Caroline, I am thoroughly alarmed about her. For what possible reason? asked Caroline, looking as though perhaps she ought to be thoroughly alarmed about the distressed little woman before her.

Starting point is 12:15:58 That a woman like Miss Butler abandons a new fancy suddenly is surely no cause for alarm. I suppose she has gone back to her first love and means to devote herself to painting. Mrs. Fenton shook her head. No, that is another strange symptom. Do you know only yesterday morning she brought brushes in a tube of paint, and threw the brushes into the fire, and the paint into the alley? As she said to me with a strange sort of half-lap, I have done with all that senseless folly.

Starting point is 12:16:29 Henceforth my life is, listen! What do you fear? said Caroline, changing color suddenly, as there arose on the quiet air a sort of sullen murmur or mutter from the room above, rising higher and higher until it expended itself in a half yell, and silence followed. "'Caroline,' said Mrs. Fenton, leaning forward and speaking in a distressed whisper, "'She has been going on in that fashion for half an hour. I came in here to write a letter, and I haven't been able to do a thing but listen to her. I've really become so frightened

Starting point is 12:17:06 that the cold chills run over me. I never heard anything like it. I believe, in my heart that she is insane. Much painting has made her mad, said Caroline, hardly realizing what she said. Then she rallied. Why, Mrs. Fenton, she surely has not given you ground for thinking that. She has seemed perfectly rational in the family. Mrs. Fenton shook her head. How much ground do you need? How many brains has Irene Butler to be turned anyway? She has appeared strange for several days. Didn't you notice her last evening stirring her tea with a knife? And when Robert passed her the butter, she tried to take it with a spoon. I tell you, the poor girl's mind is giving way. Just listen. For the strange muttering sounds had commenced again,

Starting point is 12:17:58 rising as before to what resembled maniac yells, then sinking away into silence. She ought to be looked after, said Caroline, rising. She may injure herself, "'What can we do, Mrs. Fenton? "'I am worth very little, "'for I frankly confess that the one thing "'of which I stand in mortal fear is insanity. "'Where is Mr. Fenton?' "'Gone to the five o'clock meeting.

Starting point is 12:18:23 "'So has every other mortal in the family. "'We are all alone. "'Suppose she should take a fancy to come downstairs. "'Shall we lock the door and run away?' "'There is Robert,' said Caroline with a relieved air, startled as the nerves of the two women had been, the sight of the cheery-faced boy, whistling a strain from one of the grand bursts of triumphant song, which the Jubilee sang, had a reassuring effect, boy though he was.

Starting point is 12:18:51 Robert, his mother called, Come here and listen. The muttering had commenced again with renewed vigor. What's up? The boy asked wonderingly, for his mother's face was pale and so was Carolines. They told him briefly their first. and bade him listen to the sounds. I'm going up there, he said positively.

Starting point is 12:19:14 Just in the hall, mother, near enough to hear what she is saying. That will give us an idea as to what fancy she has, and we can know better what to do with her. I shall have to hunt up Jack, and I want something definite to tell him, though I don't believe he has brains enough to comprehend the very mildest forms of insanity. Oh, mother, of course I am not afraid. I will only stand in the hall. She need not see me, and if she did, I can quiet insane people by looking steadily at them.

Starting point is 12:19:43 I can, really, mother. Don't you know when I went with Dr. Pearson to the asylum, how the noisy ones would stop yelling and come towards me as quiet as mice? I'm going up as far as the head of the stairs this minute. And leaving his mother divided between her admiration for his bravery and her fears of the result, he darted away. Then the two left behind to listen. did it breathlessly. They heard the boy's nimble steps up the stairs, pausing in the upper hall,

Starting point is 12:20:13 and all was still again. Suddenly the mutter arose in the air, growing louder and louder, until it culminated in that yell which was growing so fearful to the listeners below that they shuddered. Then they heard the boy coming swiftly down the hall, down the stairs, almost flying, it seemed to their excited fancy. Had the insane woman caught sight of him, and was she in hot pursuit? The instinct of motherhood sent the frightened little mother toward the door to meet and help her boy. He rushed into the room and instantly Caroline closed and bolted the door, and stood trembling to discover that Robert had thrown himself face downward on his mother's bed and buried his face in her pillow where he was shaking as if with an ague fit.

Starting point is 12:21:00 "'What is it, darling son?' entreated his mother. "'What did you see? Oh, why did I let you go. Then Caroline in firm low tones, Robert, you are not the boy I think you, if you are not able to control yourself for your mother's sake. She knew her material, and felt sure that even though he had gone momentarily insane himself, a plea for his mother would reach his brain. Instantly, the curly head was lifted from the pillow and showed a face convulsed, not with fright, but with uncontrollable merriment. Oh, mother! He said, don't you see I am dying to laugh? And I mustn't let her hear me.

Starting point is 12:21:43 Oh, it is too funny! And he went off into an outburst that was only controlled by a sudden retreat into the pillow. The two women looked at each other. Is the boy gone daft? said the mother, going back in her haste to the tincture of Scottish blood that was in her veins, and taking refuge in one of their expressive words. Robert, sit up and stop laughing. Tell me what it all means. Remember, I have been thoroughly frightened. I don't feel in the least like laughing. He sat up instantly, but his eyes twinkled with merriment. It is so funny, he giggled, trying to speak so that they could understand. Why, mother, she is not insane. It is the fires of genius that you hear roaring. She has become an elocutionist, and the way she is getting,

Starting point is 12:22:34 off the maniac is enough to make Miss Boyce's hair stand erect. Then while he retired into his pillow again, the two women looked at each other and felt foolish. "'Who is Miss Boyce?' said the mother, speaking irritably. She felt she had been sufficiently frightened to justify her in feeling cross at somebody. Miss Boyce is the elocutionist, explained Robert, coming out of retirement. Why, Mother, heard her recite that magnificent poem, The Last Hym. She is the teacher here, a perfectly splendid teacher, and Miss Butler has been doing her class up brown for the last week. I wonder I didn't think of it before I went upstairs. I met her in the woods the other day, and she was going it tremendously. She does the effusive style in the woods. How often, oh, how often,

Starting point is 12:23:29 in the days that had gone by! I had stood on that bridge at midnight! and gazed on that wave and sky. How often, oh, how often, I had wished that the ebbing tide would bear me away on its bosom over the ocean wild and wide. This verse he rendered with all the italics which I have supplied,

Starting point is 12:23:53 breaking down on the last line into a roar of laughter, rallying again to say, Oh, but it is nothing to the way she is getting off the maniac. I'd have given something for a peep at her. She rolls her eyes, I know. I have seen her roll them in class. Mother, I beg your pardon for frightening you so. I didn't mean it. But if you would just go to the head of the stairs and listen a minute, you would know that I couldn't help it. There was no use in chiding him for laughter. He was off again, rolling over and over on the bed in his paroxysm, until at last Mrs. Fenton feeling cross and foolish and amused all at once.

Starting point is 12:24:34 Let the latter get the ascendancy, and she sat down on the foot of the bed to laugh, too. "'We ought to be relieved enough to laugh,' said Caroline, sitting down on a trunk at the bedside. "'I thought it was serious business. I didn't know she had any taste in the direction of that study.' "'Oh, she has!' burst forth, Robert. "'Amazing taste! You just go upstairs and listen three minutes.' and you will never doubt it again." Robert, said his mother severely, and then they all gave themselves up to a perfect uproar of laughter.

Starting point is 12:25:09 This was the inauguration of Miss Irene's public career. At least she did what she could to make herself as public as possible in the line she had chosen. The dobbing and puttering had all been as nothing compared with her infatuation for the study, or rather the display of elocution. It was not long before she made a confidant of Mrs. Fenton, assuring her that she felt she had mistaken her vocation, that now it was plain to her she had always been designed for a public recitationist of no common order.

Starting point is 12:25:45 It is not my place to move the masses, she said complacently, in trying to argue herself into the sphere which she had chosen. It is like painting. You cannot move many people with paintings. The common man. mind is pitched on too low a key to respond. But when you do come in contact with a soul capable of understanding your idea, it is moved mightily. It is just so with elocution. But Miss Boyce succeeds in moving the masses, I should think, dissented Mrs. Fenton. At least there are masses enough here who are perfectly carried away by her style, which you say is so quiet as to be unworthy of the name of elocution. That is, precisely an illustration of my meaning, said Miss Irene complacently. Thank you for suggesting it.

Starting point is 12:26:36 Miss Boyce has a sort of imitation of the real, like lace. Don't you know there are plenty of common people who wear imitation lace and are perfectly satisfied with it, even think it is real? I never could endure the stuff. Now this lady who presumes to teach is capable of reaching the masses by her imitation of the real thing. She is commonplace. and they are commonplace, and she and they suit. But there is nothing of the tragic about her. I could never be satisfied with any commonplace selections, such as she makes. Nothing less than Shakespeare or some other mighty genius fits my needs.

Starting point is 12:27:16 Oh, I shall never trouble her. She is on too low a plane to realize even this. I can see in class how absurdly jealous she is. She actually tries occasionally to repress me. She is foolish. Our paths will probably never cross again. I consider my range of talent as so different from hers that there is no more danger of our being rivals than there is that that evening star over your head will undertake to rival that bit of a dewdrop at your foot. It is distressing to be obliged to tell you that Miss Irene's small audience belonged so completely to the class of people described as on a lower plane, that she impatiently brushed the dewdrop out of existence, and rudely said, Oh, nonsense! And abruptly went to the kitchen where, as she stirred vigorously at a meek-looking mixture in a large yellow bowl, she said,

Starting point is 12:28:11 I wish some people didn't have to be either insane or idiots. The poor woman did not know that this was to be but the beginning of troubles. After that, she spent wakeful nights sighing over the thought that she ever suggested Chautauqua to Miss Irene. That poor bewitched woman also spent wakeful nights rehearsing her poems. Indeed, the fires of genius seemed to roar loudest soon after midnight, and Mrs. Fenton, whose room you will remember, was directly under that of the genius, used to have to lie and listen to the role of words as the performer paced back and forth,

Starting point is 12:28:51 interrupted only by occasional snappish appeals from the suffering Effie, that she would, come to bed and behave herself. Neither did the family succeed in keeping their trials to themselves. One evening, Mr. Masters confided to them the fact that Miss Irene had persistently sought and finally obtained audience with the authorities at Chautauqua, and besieged them to let her try her new-fledged wings on the Chautauqua platform. She had assured them that they were deceived in the elocution teacher. She was utterly unskilled in the higher branches of the divine art. She was calculated only for the masses, whereupon she was good-humoredly informed

Starting point is 12:29:33 that the masses were the very ones they liked to move, that anyone who spoke on a Chautauqua platform, form must speak for the masses. Because, having been educated to expect something good, they would certainly come in mass to hear it. When to this was added the explanation that the committee listened with great delight to the teacher in question, and believed her to be mistress of her art, Miss Irene was so good as to assure them that such a conclusion was owing to the fact that nothing better had been presented. If she could but be allowed the opportunity which she craved, she would give them a contrast that would astonish the people. It is so trying to be connected with the creature, sputtered Mrs. Fenton, fanning herself violently when she heard of this climax.

Starting point is 12:30:24 Though I believe I am glad, after all, she will surely have sense enough to lay aside her new accomplishment, for the present at least. After having utterly failed in her attempt to gain a hearing, mortification will keep her quiet. But Mrs. Fenton was mistaken. Miss Irene was by no means discouraged. A trifle indignant she was, it is true, and she rehearsed her trials to the boy Robert, who in great glee repeated the story to his mother. Miss Irene believed that it was simply jealousy on the part of the teacher of elocution, which kept her back. Mother, reported Robert, she says the committee here is making a great mistake. They would find it immensely to their future advantage if they would give her a hearing now.

Starting point is 12:31:13 No one can tell, she says, what it might do for Chautauqua for her to be able to look back and say that on these grounds she commenced her career. And then Robert went off into his merriest of laughs, checking himself to ask a question. Mother, don't you think she really must be half-witted? End of Chapter 37 Chapter 38 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibrovox recording is in the public domain. Decided.

Starting point is 12:31:50 I want you to take a ride on Chautauqua Lake. You will never find a smoother, brighter, more fascinating lake on which to ride. Still, I admit that it does not always, or often present the appearance that it did the evening in question. Simply a blaze of glory. It was the evening of the illuminated fleet. The Mayville, the Shattuck, the Jamestown, and all those other boats whose names are so familiar to Chautauquins were on the scene aglow with beauty. White lights, red lights, green lights, blue lights, how they danced and sparkled and glowed. All these wonderful lights, shimmering over the water, changed the lake into a sheet of crimson and gold.

Starting point is 12:32:33 over which the boats glided silently, like fairy forms, keeping time to the most entrancing strains of music from various bands on board. The special occasion of all this magnificence was the reunion or the Chautauqua alumni. There had been an enthusiastic meeting at the auditorium, addresses by Dr. Vincent and Professor Sherwin, and the irrepressible Frank Beard. There had been music by the Jubilee's and the choir, with its several prominent soloists, including Effie Butler,

Starting point is 12:33:05 who was really taking rank among the most prominent ones, and then as many as could get passage on the several boats, marched down to the shore, and went gaily on, for the purpose of enjoying the illumination and the fireworks. The largest steamboat, having been reserved for the use of the choir, was speedily filled with what must surely have been one of the merriest companies that ever trod its decks. Two of the party, soon after reaching the upper deck,

Starting point is 12:33:33 secured seats that commanded a full view of the witchery going on around them, and enjoyed both the sight and their own conversation. I shall not undertake to tell you which interested them the most. I thought Dr. Vincent gave us one of his best efforts tonight, the gentleman said, leaning forward to draw his companion's wrap more closely around her. Yes, Caroline said, though as to that, I have never heard him when I did not think the same. Isn't it curious what an eager crowd he draws, though the people must have heard him on these grounds so often? Not as often as they would

Starting point is 12:34:11 like. There is much grumbling because he is so cherry of his lectures here. I heard a man say last night that he would give a hundred dollars if he could hear him preach next Sabbath. I liked his talking so much about the Sabbath school idea, Caroline said. I know. know a great many people who are specially interested in that phase of the work here, and who are ready to fret a little over what they call outside issues. Which is just where they are mistaken, was Mr. Masters' energetic answer. One great fault in our Sabbath school teaching of the past has been that our teachers were not versed in these outside issues, in other words, hadn't general knowledge enough

Starting point is 12:34:53 to illustrate their points. I don't at this moment recall a single lecture we have had. here that could not be made of incalculable use to the average Sabbath school teacher. I was glad the doctor gave the importance of thorough general preparation such a prominent place in his address tonight. A man who would teach one thing well must know ten or twenty things. Though he may keep the nine or nineteen things in the background, they will give impetus and force to what he does impart. Do you remember that sentence? It is one of Dr. Vincent's pet ideas.

Starting point is 12:35:28 Did you take a shorthand report of the lecture? Was Caroline's apparently irrelevant answer? Only snatches of it. It will appear verbatim in the Chautauqua Herald, you know. There were some sentences, however, so fine that I could hardly help writing them. See that rocket! What a brilliant journey to take! I wonder how far this illumination shows.

Starting point is 12:35:51 It ought to light the whole world. Chautauqua will soon reach as far as that. Do you remember that first examination of the normal class to which Dr. Vincent referred tonight? In the tent on the hill? Indeed I do. No original Chautauquan will ever forget it. Dear me, how warm it was, one of the worst days we had in August. I remember just how we roared when that brother called for the singing of the hymn, come on my partners in distress. We had a merry time after all. I was fully five hours before I got through. Caroline, look at that boat with its blazing triangle. I wonder how they arranged the lights to produce that effect. Isn't this a perfect

Starting point is 12:36:35 fairyland? said Caroline, with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. Then she went back to the meeting again. What do you suppose Dr. Vincent means about the tomorrow of Chautauqua? What can he do that has not already been done here? Mr. Masters laughed. I fancy it is as he says. He hardly knows what he means. But was there ever anything more finely expressed than the touch of explanation that he gave us tonight? I have that written out. Let me read it to you by this wonderful many-hued light. I have a fancy that the scene fits the wording. We have a Chautauqua of tomorrow. It lies along the edge of a golden horizon. As he read these words, Mr. Masters looked up and inclined his head with a meaning smile toward the eastern sky, lighted at the moment with a glory from the uprising of many colored balls of fire,

Starting point is 12:37:30 which threw off showers of brilliant sparks as they ascended. I see it rising up, shining in beauty, far away extend its possibilities, and low its possibilities pass into certainties. Dream climbs on dream, and the climbing dreams are transformed to grand, and on the path there, formed up the cliffs, I see pilgrims marching, their faces heavenward, holy purposes animating their hearts, and the desire to live in this world for God's glory, and in the future to bring up those to God whom they have won by faithful service. I believe that is the finest passage in the address tonight, though I know by your eyes that

Starting point is 12:38:11 you don't think so. Caroline laughed. It is grand, she said, but I linger. over certain other sentences more. As for instance. Well, what he said about Chautauqua sanctifying science. It points to the sun and says, on the face of the sun, the Chautauqua student beholds the cross of Jesus Christ. Don't you remember that? You always get the kernel, was the quiet answer. Go on, what next? Oh, I don't know. There were a great many next. I liked that about the little fellow in the class, ragged, rough, uncouth, impertinent.

Starting point is 12:38:51 You liked him. Ah, yes, you understand what I mean. Our diplomas will be worth something when they reflect lustres from such faces. I shall remember that sentence. I want such a diploma. So do I, he said with emphasis. And then they hushed their talk, for the bands were playing the most exquisite trains of oft in the stilly night. "'I declare,' said Mr. Masters at last, breaking the stillness, "'I never saw so fine a display as this. "'It sanctifies all legitimate things of life, "'and turns them to a holy purpose,'

Starting point is 12:39:30 "'quoted Caroline, and Mr. Masters laughed, "'and said that she would not need a copy of the Assembly Herald. "'She had evidently memorized that lecture. "'These two people, enjoying themselves, "'were either entirely unconscious of, or indifferent to, one of the boat's party who was standing near and observing them closely. The truth is, Kent Montief occupied a good deal of his time during these days in watching one of the couple. A very strange experience was this elegant young man passing through.

Starting point is 12:40:04 You will remember that it was because of what he called a whim of his fathers, that he first made Caroline's acquaintance, that he had continued that acquaintance had been at first the result of accident, and then of a sort of good-natured curiosity. He could not tell himself when, and in truth he could not understand how it happened, that his good-natured curiosity deepened into what, to say the least, was a very different feeling. This is by no means what is known as a love story, though I should really be very sorry to have to write the story of a life without love in it, but it is not my intention to chronicle much of this sort of history. Still, in order to explain certain things,

Starting point is 12:40:49 I shall have to tell you that Kent Monteith was passing through a singular struggle. All his pride, and he had a great deal of it, rose up against his having more than a kindly passing interest in a girl without education not only, but who earned her living in a way chosen usually by only the lowest in the social and mental scale. That, you will understand, was his way of form.

Starting point is 12:41:13 putting it, not mine. He chafed over the folly of it all. He called himself a brainless simpleton, and various other hard names as he tossed of nights on a pillow from which sleep had fled, or took long, lonely tramps through the woods. Yet the fact remained that he was more interested in Caroline Raynor than in any other person living. On the evening in question, he alternately paced the steamer's deck, seeming to be one of the promenators, yet alone with his thoughts, or leaned against the side in position to get a view of Caroline. He was going over again the problem which had troubled him during the last week.

Starting point is 12:41:55 He was astonished over the conclusion at which he almost arrived. I shall live in Florence in any event, he half muttered, his eyes fixed on the side face that was lighted up by the brilliant surroundings, as well by the pleasure of the owner's thoughts. I don't know why I should care what certain upstarts would say. I am in a position to be above them if I choose. For that matter, who is going to know unless she or I tell it that she had any other than the most respectable position?

Starting point is 12:42:26 Her style of face would do credit to any society. Hang me if I understand how she comes by such refinement of feature and manner. They must be her legacy from some old German aristocrat, royal blood in her veins possibly, who knows. That would account for a certain indescribable poise about her that is very marked. I don't know why I should care, really. As for that sleepy old town of Centerville, I should like to give it a sensation that would last for a twelve-month, perhaps, until I brought her back from abroad, ablaze with jewels, and all the rest of the gougas that make up the average woman. How exceedingly well they would become her! The style that she would

Starting point is 12:43:08 effect, she will always be exquisitely simple in her tastes, and in that again she will show that curious high-bred air. I wonder what she would say to Venice. She would be more interested, though, in Rome. Curious how thoroughly conversant the girl is with the ancient city. I should want to blush for almost any traveled scholar who undertook to talk with her about it. How shall I like to take her to the Sistine Chapel? Then I'll have a picture taken of her, just as she looks when she stands studying one of those old masterpieces. You can see how this young man confused his tenses. What he would do if, blank, seemed inextricably mixed in his mind with what he intended to do as soon as possible. Perhaps it may seem a strange thing to you that the young man, who

Starting point is 12:43:57 was at this moment talking so socially with Caroline, had never received from Mr. Monteth a second thought. He had inquired casually one day who that Mr. Masters was who seemed to be everywhere, and had been answered that he was a builder who had been associated with the improvements at Chautauqua from the first. A mere mechanic, had this elegant aristocrat said within himself, and thereafter dismissed the subject. Not that he really intended to be aristocratic in the disagreeable sense of the word, but it had been a habit of his life and the educational. of his foreign experience. By what curious process of reasoning he was sometimes able to think of Caroline entirely apart from her surroundings and experiences of life, I do not pretend to explain.

Starting point is 12:44:47 It cannot be said that the young man enjoyed the wonderful display of nature and art that was spread before him on lake and sky that evening. Indeed, he hardly saw it at all, while Caroline and her friend constantly interrupted their conversation with such exclamations as, Oh, see that rocket! Look at those wonderful colored balls of fire! Isn't the music exquisite? How gorgeous the Jamestown looks, and the like. He, busy with his thoughts, neither saw lights nor colors,

Starting point is 12:45:20 and heard no music, save as it all mingled in a confused and rather distracting way in his perplexities. for he saw perplexities in the way of his cherished wishes. It was Kent-Montese misfortune to have had few perplexities in his path hitherto, almost no obstacles to overcome. Consequently, he chafed under these as they presented themselves. Still, he grew more and more fixed in his resolution to have his own way, cost what it might. Presently the two, one of whom was holding his attention, espied him leaning, against the railing of the boat, and bowed and smiled. Then they discussed him for a moment.

Starting point is 12:46:03 That young man looks almost out of place in this gay scene, lonely, I mean, said Mr. Masters. Isn't he singularly without special friends? I should expect so brilliant a man to be surrounded always by followers. It is very hard to be friends with him, Caroline said quietly. Why? He so constantly jars on one sense of what is right, from a Christian standpoint, I mean. I know, hasn't he rather dropped Robert Fenton? Quite dropped him, Caroline said, her face taking an annoyed expression as she remembered the scene connected with the dropping. That is an illustration of what I mean when I say it is hard to be friends with him. Then she told of the effort she had made to have Robert shielded, and the indifference he had

Starting point is 12:46:54 manifested toward the boy. It tried me, she said, to think that he cared so little for Robert. It was not friendship at all, just the following up of a passing fancy. Mr. Monteth impresses me as though most of his friendships were no stronger than that, and as though his professions of regard, if he ever makes them, might be professions merely. What a lovely transparency on that boat! see the motto in letters of fire. Oh, how beautiful that is! And thus Caroline dropped Kent Montief quite as easily as he had dropped Robert Fenton. It was about that time that he turned from the deck and went downstairs into the saloon with resolute step, saying with firmly compressed lips and a look of decision on his handsome face, I shall certainly do it.

Starting point is 12:47:47 End of Chapter 38 Chapter 39 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy The Slibervok's recording is in the public domain. The Blind Groopings of Genius Most unexpectedly, at least to the sufferers, the current of Miss Irene Butler's thoughts was changed. Before the change, however, came two eventful days. I do not mean the anniversary exercises of St. Paul's Grove,

Starting point is 12:48:21 nor the organization of the class of 84, though these were events about which I designed telling you, as they will always be remembered by many who joined in the exercises. I do not mean a lecture by Joseph Cook, a lecture in itself so wonderful, than an attempt to describe it, or even quote from it, appalls me. I mean the Grand Temperance Meeting inaugurated at Chautauqua on a certain Saturday evening, by a lecture from that remarkable woman, Mrs. Yeoman's of Canada. It may be possible that she has spoken to even larger audiences than that which greeted her in the amphitheater that evening, but she certainly could never find a more enthusiastic one.

Starting point is 12:49:05 Those who came to hear the lecture, expecting simply to be entertained, were entertained certainly, but they were also treated to clear-cut, directly put, incontrovertible logic on the liquor question, and especially on the license law. The fact is, said Kent Montief, if there was a man in the audience tonight who advocated the license law, I feel rather sorry for him on the principle that a degree of sympathy ought to be bestowed on the one who is down. They certainly were terribly scathed. Then Caroline, to whom he was speaking, went over in her mind certain sentences that she had heard in the lecture. For instance,

Starting point is 12:49:47 this one. Why, if the liquor-cellar's license had the superscription of the United States and of Old England, it would not avail, for there would still thunder from heaven's high throne, woe to him that giveth his neighbor drink. Or this, I find that the first prohibitory liquor law ever passed was passed in the Congress of Heaven. It was not submitted, to the people, it never had to be remodeled, and it never will be repealed. I find in the Bible the awful iniquity of taking a revenue from the liquor traffic, and putting it into the till of the government. Listen, woe unto him that buildeth a town with blood, and establisheth a city with iniquity. Every phase of the subject is in the Bible, and the thought came to me whether

Starting point is 12:50:36 there was an instance of legalized iniquity in the Bible, and I knew if there was, it was placed there for our reproof. As I turned over the sacred pages, the case of Haman came to my mind, and I thought, there is an instance of legalized wrong. He bought a government license to kill his fellow men, and paid the price into the revenue of the government. Yes, said Caroline, having thought the matter over carefully. She was almost severe enough to suit me. my feelings on that question. You are intense in all your feelings, aren't you? He said, regarding her with an interested smile. You did not impress me in that way at first. If he wanted her to ask how she impressed him at first, he was disappointed, for she went on with the talk

Starting point is 12:51:24 about the wonderful lecture. I think it is a very remarkable effort, she said earnestly. If almost anyone but Joseph Cook had spoken this afternoon, it would not have to be have been quite so hard for a woman to follow, but as it was, I trembled for her, despite the reputation which she has. I'd need not have trembled. It was a case of wasted sympathy. Then you think her quite equal to Joseph Cook? What a sentence, said Caroline, laughing. No person in his senses would think of comparing the two for a moment. They will never be rivals, as poor Miss Butler says. But you know I do not more than half approve of women occupying the place she takes before the public.

Starting point is 12:52:11 Don't you? she said indifferently, and her companion could not determine whether it was indifference to the subject or to the person expressing the objection. Do you, he asked, resolved upon knowing what she meant. Why, I approve of a woman's occupying any place that she can fill, and we shall certainly have to admit that she was able to fill it. Well, but Miss Caroline, what would induce you to come before the public in that manner? The talent of Mrs. Yeomens, she said gaily, and that I shall never possess, so my friends need not be troubled about me in that direction. If he hardly liked the Saturday evening lecture, I don't know how he endured the day following,

Starting point is 12:52:58 with one exception, and that one Joseph, cook, the platform was filled all day with lady speakers. Mrs. Lathrop of Michigan, Mrs. Woodward of Ohio, Francis Willard of everywhere. What a day it was! Whether Kent Monteth approved or not, he was present all day, an attentive, even an eager listener. How was it possible for a man of sense to be other than attentive? For certainly, if ever woman had silver, nay, golden tongues, and lifted their voices grandly for the cause of truth and right, it was on that day at Chautauqua. The different meetings followed each other all day in quick succession,

Starting point is 12:53:39 and all day the crowds gathered, each gathering seeming larger if possible than the preceding one. Grand work for the cause was surely done that day. In some directions, more was done than many dreamed of. For instance, the inhabitants of the Fenton Cottage realized disastrous consequences. It was Miss Irene again, and this time she took for her confidant the pretty Amy, thereby so astonishing and embarrassing that young lady on whom she had hitherto looked

Starting point is 12:54:10 down from a lofty height that the fair-faced girl could hardly recover from her flutter enough to listen. "'I want to talk to you,' Miss Irene had said, "'because you appear to me less selfish than the rest of the family. They are all so absorbed in their own pursuits that it is almost impossible. to hold their attention. Don't you think they are intensely selfish? But Amy, flushing hotly, declared that she did not think so at all, and this little episode served to bring back herself control. She had no fondness for listening to criticism of any sort

Starting point is 12:54:47 on these friends of hers. Still, Miss Irene insisted that they so impressed her, but magnanimously added that it was not strange. There were so many things going on calculated to absorb the common mind. I have something of importance to tell you, continued the artist and elocutionist. I talked with Mrs. Fenton before, but she is a very difficult person to talk with. She has so many ideas of her own,

Starting point is 12:55:15 and like all persons said in her mold, is very hard to move. You know what has been interesting? I may say absorbing me for a few days? Well, I have given it up entirely. Not that I do not plainly see that I have talent in that direction of a marked order. But, after thinking the whole matter over most carefully,

Starting point is 12:55:36 it has become apparent to me that it is my duty to hold the masses. You get my meaning? I explained it carefully to Mrs. Fenton, but perhaps she did not make it clear to you that elocution-like painting is extremely limited in its reaches, that comparatively few people are touched by either of these sublime arts, while one's own ideas, clothed in glowing language and accompanied by appropriate gestures, will hold an immense audience spellbound. We had an illustration of it last Sunday evening,

Starting point is 12:56:10 and all day's Sabbath. There are those who speak of Mrs. Yeomens and Miss Willard and the rest, as rare geniuses set apart to a special work. I admit that they are rare, but after all they were commonplace, intensely commonplace, by the sight of what I feel myself capable of doing. You see, I speak plainly. I hold it to be mock modesty that restrains a person from recognizing and admitting her manifest talents. It is only an undue estimate of oneself that is to be deplored. I have quite determined to enter the lecture field. I don't want to appear in the light of arrival to these good ladies who have done what they could on this platform, and for that reason, among others, I don't intend to confine myself to the subject of temperance. In fact, I think it more

Starting point is 12:57:02 in keeping with my range of talent to take a very wide sphere. I shall not ignore a single one of the topics which have been discussed on this platform. Joseph Cook's last lecture impressed me very favorably and started a train of thought that I believe I can carry out in a way to startle the world. Little Amy was certainly a good listener. She sat as one spellbound under this avalanche of words. In truth, she no more knew what to say to this woman than did the pretty red and brown bird who just then stopped at the window and chirped a good evening to them. At last, Miss Irene seemed to observe her silence, whether or not she did her dismay. You are overwhelmed with the magnitude of the undertaking, she said kindly.

Starting point is 12:57:50 I do not wonder. It takes a determined soul to grasp these lofty possibilities. My education and painting has been of great advantage to me here. I know my power in that direction, and therefore I am not afraid to trust it in another, toward which I feel the same mysterious yearnings. I tell you, my dear, when I sat there on Saturday evening, and saw that immense audience listening to that woman and heard the outbursts of applause,

Starting point is 12:58:19 and when I saw the throngs gather all day's Sabbath, no less a crowd to hear those women in the afternoon than came to hear the giant cook in the morning, I tingled to my fingers' ends with conscious power. I find that I crave this recognition from the public, need it, indeed, to inspire me to greater efforts. I have been living a selfish life hitherto, absorbed in my own paintings, content to reach a very few who were far enough advanced to sympathize with me.

Starting point is 12:58:50 It was just so with sculpture, or rather it would have been had I allowed myself to remain absorbed. In a less degree it would have been the same with elocution, only the comparatively few minds capable of appreciating the higher branches of that art being helped by me. But in this thing which I have at last chosen, don't you see I can reach the multi-reaching? I think all these other efforts were the blind gropings of genius to reach its level of power. I suppose, my dear, you have no such intense aspirations after the grand heights of life. You hardly understand what I mean, do you? What was little Amy to say?

Starting point is 12:59:32 She had not that keen sense of the ludicrous, which was at once Mrs. Fenton's amusement and torment. She had not Caroline's clear-sightedness, which would have instantly labeled this whole entire flight of genius, folly. Yet she dimly perceived the folly and the fun, and was at the same time distressed by the intense earnestness which the woman before her threw into all these spasms of nonsense which took hold of her. Why cannot people be so intense in doing really grand things? Moralized this little girl, while the woman before her waited, looking patronizingly down on the fair bit of flesh and blood. I don't know, said Amy at last, feeling obliged to speak.

Starting point is 13:00:17 Yes, I can understand ambition, I think, and earnestness such as you seem to have, but I cannot understand the object quite. I know something that I would like to do, that I long to do, and that if I thought I could ever accomplish, I would be glad to give all my life to. If you had the same object, I could understand your eagerness. And what is the object, you dear little mouse? I did not know you had one intense aspiration. The soul has gleams of immortality, it seems, no matter what body it is hiding in.

Starting point is 13:00:51 This last sentence in a sort of musing aside. Amy took little note of it. She was thinking just how to word what she wanted to say. I think, she said, speaking slowly and carefully, the pink flush, meanwhile, deepening on her cheek, I think if I could help to lead one person to understand and love the Lord Jesus Christ, as much even as I understand him now, so that he would be that soul's eternal salvation, it would be ambition enough to fill a lifetime. If that were your motive, Miss Irene, I could understand you.

Starting point is 13:01:28 Said Miss Irene, regarding her attentively for a full minute before she spoke, What a queer little thing you are! Then she stooped and kissed her. I have thus somewhat at length described the changed character of Miss Irene's aspirations in order that you might fully understand their development. When you meet her on the woman's rights platform next winter, I trust you will recognize her, and accord to her genius the tribute which it merits. Viewed in the light of a private member of society, or as one of a family party, she was a failure.

Starting point is 13:02:05 Mrs. Fenton lost every atom of patience with her before the season that Chautauqua was over, even declaring after having learned that she was making steady efforts to be admitted on the Chautauqua program as one of the platform speakers, that it was really unendurable to be brought before the Committee of Instruction in this offensive manner, and that she should certainly tell Irene Butler, if she couldn't act less like an idiot, she must find some other boarding place. To be sure, out of pity for Effie, she never told her exactly that, though she did plainly speak her mind, and received as a reward the following. Mrs. Fenton, I forgive you, and I shall never bear the least malice towards you.

Starting point is 13:02:50 In fact, I am encouraged by the view you take of it. I suppose there never was a genius yet who had not to suffer martyrdom at the hands of some well-meaning friends. She is by no means alone in the world, said Mr. Masters, coming back to gravity from an outburst of laughter over Mrs. Fenton's irate description of some new suffering at the hands of the family genius. The country is full of that class of would-be stars in the literary world, and just now, more especially on the public platform. It is that which brings the whole field of women's public work into disrepute, and lifts into martyrdom those few noble ones, who, despite the sneers that their aping sisterhood have earned for them, bravely take up the work for some

Starting point is 13:03:38 cause dear to their heart not only, but to God's heart, willing to bear the crosses if they may by any means save some. I'll tell you, Mrs. Fenton, let us earnestly hope that Miss Butler, so long as she is of this mind, will run off on some ridiculous tangent, women's rights, spiritualism, or some other folly, where she will do little harm save to herself. For, as surely as she goes platituditing around the world, taking temperance or missions, or some vital subject for her theme, she will just so surely work harm among that class of people

Starting point is 13:04:14 who become prejudiced against the object because they see through the folly of the one who presents it. End of Chapter 39. Chapter 40 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. A blaze. Now, although Kent Montief had arrived

Starting point is 13:04:40 at a momentous decision, it was some time before he acted on it. There were several reasons for this. In the first place, he was not one of those who settled questions once for all. They had to be settled many times over, and though he did not actually unsettle this one again, he went over all the pros and cons and possibilities and annoyances, and blamed fate that it should have set him so hard a lot,

Starting point is 13:05:06 yet felt that he must follow that path and no other. Another reason for delay was that the decision involved seeing Caroline Raynor alone. This was not an easy thing to accomplish, not that she seemed in the least to avoid him, but she was, as he expressed it to himself, exasperatingly busy over some confounded schema, rather, and had a train following her all the time. In company, Kent Monteth always used more elegant language than this, but when he talked to himself, he seemed to feel no need for elegance. However, after watching her movements carefully all one day,

Starting point is 13:05:46 he planned successfully to meet her in the avenue leading to the hall in the grove, just as the clock was striking four on the Saturday preceding the temperance meeting. He generally planned to whey her on these pilgrimages to the hall. His father's cottage was situated on an avenue which she had to cross, and he had discovered that she was more likely at this hour than any other to be alone. I have been watching for you this half hour, he said, speaking with an injured air as one who was somehow defrauded, and turning to walk with her without invitation. I suppose you are going to the hall, of course. I believe you would arise in the night to attend a service there.

Starting point is 13:06:30 Perhaps, she said brightly, I like to go there. I wish you would like to like to be. I wish you would like to do something else better just for once. There is a certain charming spot on the lake that I have a great desire to show you, and this is a perfect evening for the trip. Won't you come with me for a row and a visit to a small paradise and omit just this one meeting?

Starting point is 13:06:52 Thank you, but this is our CLSC anniversary. I could not miss that, you know. There is always an anniversary of some sort, he said impatiently. Miss Caroline, could you never, do what I ask? Just call to mind the number of invitations that I have given you on these grounds always declined, and the hall nearly always in the way. Couldn't you be induced to lay aside your plans and try mine just for once? I presume the meeting will progress to a favorable issue

Starting point is 13:07:24 if you are not present. I think it was because he saw not the slightest sign of wavering in her face that he was irritated into making this sarcastic close. The sarcastic close, the sarcastic did not ruffle her. I don't doubt it, she said, still speaking gaily. But you see, I should not be able to progress so favorably without the help of the meeting. I need all the aid I can get. Besides, Dr. Vincent is to speak to us. Well, you have heard him before.

Starting point is 13:07:55 Which is one of the reasons why I want to hear him again. Then you positively will not go with me? Positively, I cannot. There are special reasons. why I wish to be at this anniversary. He walked beside her in an annoyed silence. He seemed not to know, and she did not enlighten him, with the fact that the members of the circle

Starting point is 13:08:18 were to form a procession at the hall and marched to the amphitheater, but when the hall was reached and the preliminary exercises were concluded, he discovered the program and turned eagerly to her. At least I suppose I can walk with you to the auditorium, and then perhaps if the meeting proves less important than you suppose, you will be able to follow out my program? She shook her head. You are not a member of the circle.

Starting point is 13:08:45 We are to walk in procession. Then I will follow at a very respectful distance, and you will join me at a later hour. This also was negatived. There are special reasons you remember I told you, why I want to hear all that is said today. Are there special reasons why you don't want to be? to hear what I have to say?"

Starting point is 13:09:06 "'Certainly not,' she said, regarding him with grave disapproval. "'I beg your pardon,' he answered, vexed at his own folly. "'There is just this thing that I want you to do for me, Miss Caroline. I have something very special to say to you. If you will be so kind as to a point a time when I may see and have five minutes of uninterrupted conversation, I will not intrude myself further on this circle.' He could know. more help speaking somewhat irritably than he could help being a proud man. He was so sensible of the

Starting point is 13:09:40 great honor that he meant to confer on her, and the seas of trouble through which he had waited to reach a decision, and it seemed so annoying that she should appear utterly indifferent to it all. She regarded him with surprise, and took time to wonder what he could want with a private interview. Meantime, he pressed his question, shall it be this evening? Oh, Mrs. Yeoman's lecture is this evening. We must neither of us miss that. She is said to be grand. I hope she is, I am sure. I am not fully in sympathy with a platform orator from the feminine ranks, but don't let us get into controversy on that point. Madame Yeomens may lecture each hour in the day for all that I really care. This he said hastily, forestalling her evident intention to answer him, and added,

Starting point is 13:10:32 Then will you appoint an hour tomorrow and take a walk or a ride with me? Tomorrow will be Sabbath, Mr. Monteth. I neither walk nor ride for pleasure on that day. I beg your pardon, he said, biting his lip. I forgot your peculiar prejudices, though really it seems to me as though you never did anything for pleasure on any day. Well then, Monday, what objection is there to that? Almost to her annoyance as well as amusement, Caroline, giving a rapid mental survey to the program,

Starting point is 13:11:06 decided that the days were unusually full, and she did not know of a single hour during Monday or Tuesday that she could call her own. But her companion was persistent. He urged that the Tuesday evening meeting would close reasonably early, and that he would wait if she said so until it's close, if she would promise him an uninterrupted hour then. It was with actual embarrassment that she reminded him of the CLSC campfire, which was immediately to follow Tuesday evening's sermon. What mental epithets he bestowed on the CLSC, Caroline never knew, but he caught eagerly at the suggestion of the campfire.

Starting point is 13:11:47 Would she walk with him to and from that unique entertainment? Doubtless that would secure for him as much privacy as Chautauqua Eighty-Eye. afforded to any person. At least he would be satisfied with that if she would positively promise. So what could she do but promise? Though she did it reluctantly, wondering meantime if she had not almost a tacit engagement with both Robert Fenton and Robert Masters. All the beautiful walk from the hall to the amphitheater, she gave to wondering why Mr. Montethith should so persistently seek to see her alone. Could it be anything about Robert Fenton? Had he seen how wounded the boy was, and did he regret his promise and seek to be released? She had never wanted him to make so absurd a promise, and of course he was released from it. But surely there was no need for so much mystery. If he were Irene Butler's brother, she told herself with a mixture of amusement and vexation, I would think that the making of important mysteries out of nothings ran in the blood. As it is, I don't understand him. Then she felt to wondering, sadly, whether this gifted young man must really go away from all the

Starting point is 13:13:03 blessed privileges of Chautauqua utterly unhelp in any way by his three or four weeks sojourn there. Still, if one will not let himself be helped, who is to blame but himself? This method of reasoning did not, however, satisfy Caroline. She had that most probing of all questions to answer to her conscience, had she done what she could to help him? She recognized his need, the realization and acceptance of a personal Savior was what he above all things ought to have in order to save him from himself, even looking at it for this life only.

Starting point is 13:13:42 Nothing was clearer than that Kent Monteith would wreck himself on the rock of his own pride, unless his utter nothingness could be shown to him. And since he was so cultured a man who could could show him this save Jesus of Nazareth. It was not until the role of the beautiful CLSC song filled the amphitheater that she roused from sad questionings and gave herself to the pleasure and profit of the hour. Wonderful words were those put into song, Caroline, reading them over slowly and carefully, as one would read a poem for delight, after the singing was completed, looked again at

Starting point is 13:14:20 the name of the author, Mary A. Lathbury. Thought again of her pure, calm face and earnest eyes as she watched them many a time in hall or temple after the face of the poetess had been pointed out to her, and thought how grand it must be to be able to give voice in wonderful language to thoughts such as these. A sound is thrilling through the trees and vibrant in the air. 10,000 hearts turn hitherward and greet us from afar, and through the happy tide of song that blends our hearts in one, the voices of the absent flow in tender undertone. Chorus, then bear along, O wings of song, are happy greeting glee, from center to the golden verge, Chautauqua to the sea. Fair wisdom builds her temple here, her seven-pillared dome. Toward all lands she spreads her hands and greets her children home.

Starting point is 13:15:19 Not all may gather at her shrine to sing of victories one. Their names are graven on her walls. God bless them every one. Chorus, then bear along, etc. O happy circle ever wide and wider be thy sweep, till peace and knowledge fill the earth as waters fill the deep. And he who touched us into life, the circles see. central son, God bless him, say we all today, God bless us every one. Chorus, then bear along,

Starting point is 13:15:52 etc. A very jubilant meeting was that, full of pleasant memories and prophetic hintings. Strong words were spoken, helpful words, drawing closer together the circle which was yet so rapidly enlarging. None listening could fail to get beautiful glimpses into the intention of the leader in projecting his scheme. He had meant to lift up, to enthuse, to energize those on whom the burdens of life fell heavily. He had meant to open doors for those who had supposed their opportunities were passed. He had meant to beckon on those who were already started, but to whom the way looked lonely and rough. Ah, yes, he had meant much more than that. Caroline caught the ring of it in the few words spoken. He had meant, and still meant, that which was above and beyond all these.

Starting point is 13:16:44 He had no idea that this great circle should find itself limited by time. To those who grasped the highest possibilities of the CLSC, there was no time. The circle was meant to widen and widen through all the glorious eternity. I am glad I came, said Caroline, drawing along, rested breath as she listened. I am glad for it all. I shall be glad for ever and ever. I have missed six years of it. I hope I shall never miss another. And she was ready to sing. Chautauqua, priestess of the old, Evangel of the New, the sunlight crowns her head, her heart is made of fire and dew. She stands among her many shrines beneath the open heaven to clasp this golden year of years, the circle of the seven. Chorus, Ring out Chautauqua bells, ring out, the years of toil and quest.

Starting point is 13:17:42 The week is done, ring in, ring in, the Sabbath year of rest. Of nature's elemental forms, her bread and wine are made. Among the ancient rocks and trees, her altar stones are laid. Beneath her temple's leafy dome, among its aisles of calm, our songs of many chords and keys are blended in a psalm. chorus ring out Chautauqua bells, etc. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest, nor ever hence depart, Nor mystic veil, nor holy place, shall hide thee from the heart.

Starting point is 13:18:19 Thy kingdom come, thy larger rest, till earth and heaven shall hear, the bells that bring the nations home, the grand sabbatic year. Chorus, ring out Chautauqua bells, etc. Yet all through the busy three days that fight, followed, Caroline failed to get entirely away from a feeling of almost dismay over the engagement for Tuesday evening. I do not know what Kent Monteith would have thought of her. Could he have known that her heart was troubled by a sense of the responsibility, which she would have to assume in having another talk with him? I think he would have been dismayed as well as amazed. Could he have known how earnestly she prayed during those days that the right words might be given her to influence his.

Starting point is 13:19:04 his future for Christ, that at least she might be kept from putting a stumbling-block in his way. He who looked upon prayer only as an amiable weakness to be tolerated, especially in women, because it was rather becoming than otherwise. What such a young man can think of his praying father, I do not know. Unless you are a Chautauquan, you have never seen a campfire of just the sort that the members of the circle and their dear 500 friends indulged in that night. In looking back upon it all afterwards, it really seemed as though the enthusiasm which had been growing all through the weeks reached its height that evening. Imagine a long, long line of faces, two abreast,

Starting point is 13:19:51 defiling in regular order around the amphitheater, down the hill, then up the hill, led by bands of music playing gayest marching airs, they proceeded by a company of boys, each bearing high in air a huge flaming torch, and above them all, floating the stars and stripes, carried aloft by eager hands. It is not an easy picture to describe. To have entered into the spirit of it, you should have been one of the triumphal procession, or possibly, like Robert Fenton, one of the torch-bearers. Caroline had been much relieved to find that he was numbered among those honored persons.

Starting point is 13:20:31 least he would be saved the mortification of discovering that his favorite companion could give him no attention that evening. He had never been made to feel that he was an unnecessary third person when in company with Caroline and Robert Masters. It was not so easy to avoid an embarrassing explanation with the latter. He had adopted a fashion of taking things for granted. For instance, he said to Caroline, on their way from the afternoon conference, you attend the first service tonight, or would you like me to call for you in time for the campfire?' "'I shall go to the service,' she had replied, and then feeling that that was but half

Starting point is 13:21:12 answering his meaning, added with flushing face, "'by the way, I have made an engagement to walk with Mr. Montief this evening. He wishes to consult me, I think. He expressed a special wish to talk with me.' "'I am selfishly sorry,' he said good-humoredly. "'I had a fancy, for seeing the campfire in your company. She saw nothing of him during the triumphal procession. Indeed, the weird light, ever-changing, ever-proceeding, gave her little opportunity for recognizing friends.

Starting point is 13:21:46 There was also exceeding little chance for connected conversation. If Kent Monteth expected to hold his companion to one topic, he was disappointed. She was unaffectedly interested in and delighted with the whole unique affair, viewing it much as a child would have done with inexpressible delight. Indeed, it often seemed to Caroline during these hours of freedom at Chautauqua that she was having her childhood, of which the heavy cares of life had defrauded her. She chatted gaily, pointing out the grotesque shadows in the edges of the woods,

Starting point is 13:22:22 as the torchlights flitted by, exclaiming over the beauty of this and that cottage brightly lighted in honor of the procession, glancing from one topic to a woman, another with the excitement of one who had abandoned herself to enjoyment. Kent Monteth had never seen her in exactly this mood, and it interested him wonderfully. He graciously accommodated himself to it, taking the lead presently in pointing out the exquisite effects of the lights and shadows in such fascinating language, that despite the shade of annoyance with which she had commenced the walk, she found herself enjoying every moment of it. At last, the great procession began to coil itself around the massive pyramid, built to blaze

Starting point is 13:23:07 20 feet in diameter, more than 25 feet high, so carefully planned and so carefully fed with oil, that when the torches of six eager boys detailed for the purpose were applied, the whole mass burst as if by magic into flame. Then burst forth the exclamations of delight, and delighted recognitions began to be exchanged, faces hitherto shrouded in the gloom of night flashed into full prominence, their features shining with the reflection of the flame. Then it was that the people began to realize how large their procession had been, as they looked up and down and around the hill.

Starting point is 13:23:48 Higher and higher rose the pyramid of flame, the people retreating from its glare in regular order. "'Ha!' exclaimed Kent Monteth, his artist eye flashing. wouldn't this be a scene for a painter's brush i wish i could sketch it i wonder if i can carry the picture of it in my mind and do justice to it i would like to make a grand painting of it and hang it in that hall of which you are so fond do you really like that place better than any other spot in chautauqua "'I think I do,' she said, smiling. "'I saw the hall on a wonderful evening. "'It was the first real view I had had "'of the beauty all about me,

Starting point is 13:24:29 "'and the spell that was woven then "'has gone with me all the time. "'Then I get my special helps there, "'little, almost chance words, "'dropped conversationally by great men "'that seemed to me to lift me right up. "'Ah, I would like a picture of the hall.' "'It shall be my pleasure to make you one,

Starting point is 13:24:48 He said eagerly, so eagerly that for some reason which she could not readily define, she was sorry she had spoken and relapsed into sudden silence. But someone was speaking, mounted on an extemporized platform, so they gave attention. On Caroline's part, it was undivided attention from that time on until the immense company broke into song and made the night vocal with the grand old words, Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Altogether, it was a scene not only for the eye of an artist who transfers paintings to canvas, but for those artist souls who transfer living pictures to the canvas of their minds,

Starting point is 13:25:37 and there they hang and are feasted over forever. Caroline, at least, would never forget the first CLSC campfire. "'What was all this for?' "'It was the first question Kent Monteth asked her "'as they turned to descend the hill. "'It was the first jar on the evening's pleasure.' "'Why, it was for delight,' she answered slowly, "'for, I don't know what.

Starting point is 13:26:04 "'It cannot be put into words. "'If you do not see what it was for, I cannot tell you.' "'Oh, I see it from an artistic standpoint,' "'he said quickly, having no doubt, desire that even she should possess quicker perceptive faculties than himself. It was a beautiful sight, certainly. I was only wondering what was probably in the mind of the author. I think he is an artist and a poet in disguise, she said, and this is a painting and a poem, both of which deserve to be immortal. He laughed, not unpleasantly. You are an enthusiast,

Starting point is 13:26:42 he said, and enthusiasm becomes you well. Then immediately was Caroline sorry that she had said anything of the kind. Directly they had reached the foot of the first hill, Mr. Monteth struck off abruptly into a side avenue. We have had enough of procession and torchlight and music and people for one night, he said authoritatively. I claim your promise now. I told you I had something of importance to say to you.

Starting point is 13:27:12 He talked rapidly and well. I suppose you know in substance what he said. said. He had fully resolved at last on bestowing the greatest honor in his power on Caroline Raynor. He realized what an honor it was. He did not even forget that he was making some sacrifice in family pride in order to do it. Still, he had reached the point where he was really glad to make it. He expected to overwhelm her with astonishment. He had so entirely believed in her honesty of manner that he knew she had not the slightest conception of the the truth. Therefore, he was prepared for the absolute silence in which his earnest and manly

Starting point is 13:27:52 explanation was made. Had Caroline been less astonished than she was, I think she would have detected the undertone of condescension. But if she were astonished, what can I call the man at her side when she interrupted him suddenly with an earnest protest, and opening sentence of which was, Mr. Montief, I beg your pardon, I should not listen to such words. For a full minute after her eager voice had paused, he was still. Could he credit his own hearing? Had she possibly misunderstood him? Could she actually be plainly and pointedly declining the honor he had bestowed upon her? You will remember I told you that Kent Montief had been accustomed all his life to having his own way, to securing just what he wanted when he wanted it. I do not think the possibility of a failure in this. this direction had ever crossed his mind. Is it any wonder that at first he could not credit his senses? I have no idea of attempting to tell you what either of them said. In fact, I am sure that not even Caroline herself could tell you. The feeling uppermost in her mind was dismay. There are those,

Starting point is 13:29:07 and by some they are called wise people, who say that no true-hearted girl ever receives an offer of marriage which she must decline. that the attentions preceding this conclusion are so strongly marked, that one who wishes can check them and save an ordeal humiliating to both. Whether or not this is a general rule, certain it is that it has its exceptions. Never was any person more amazed and bewildered than was Caroline Raynor. It is true she had been completely absorbed by other matters.

Starting point is 13:29:41 But even if she had not, the fact was that the gentleman in question had been too uncertain as to what his final conclusion would be, to mark his preference for her very strongly. No sooner, however, did it begin to dawn on his astonished mind that the girl to whose lowly position he had resolved to sacrifice himself, while he raised her to the very summit of human honor, for he believed firmly in himself, and intended to rise to the highest, and of course take her with him. No sooner did he see the possibility of disappointment, then he became, as was his nature, a hundredfold more determined, and although Caroline's words were plain, earnest, and unmistakable in their meaning,

Starting point is 13:30:26 he persisted in arguing with her, in cross-questioning her as to the strange wherefore, and at last, losing his very small stock of self-control, he exclaimed irritably. You may as well admit at the starting point that your interest is centered on some other person. It is the only possible way of accounting for such a state of mind. Up to this point, Caroline had respected him. In this sentence, it was impossible not to recognize the ring of a selfish nature. The voice in which she answered was earnest still, but cold. You are right, Mr. Monteth.

Starting point is 13:31:04 There is another in the way. If there were no other reason for my answering you as I have, the fact that I love with all my soul, one who you not only did, disregard, but of whom you speak carelessly and lightly, would be an insuperable barrier between us forever. He was so utterly unacquainted with the subject that he actually, in his heat, did not recognize the Shibboleth. What in the name of all that is extraordinary can you mean? And his tones expressed genuine astonishment. What friend of yours do I treat with disrespect? The Lord Jesus Christ, the best and dearest friend.

Starting point is 13:31:43 friend I ever had or ever expect to have. He was calmer after that. When he recovered sufficiently from his surprise to speak again, his tones had changed, and he was again the courteous gentleman, a trifle condescending it is true, but still not offensively so. He assayed to explain. He believed now that he understood her, that her pointed refusal was because of this religious fanaticism which had entire possession of her. He was profuse in his assurances that she was mistaken. He did not think lightly of her religion or any person's religion. He respected his father too much for that. He had been careless, possibly, in some of his expressions. It was the lamentable result of too long a sojourn abroad. He looked to her to help him correct all such Mars in his character.

Starting point is 13:32:38 Altogether, Caroline has reason to remember the CLSC campfire. She went home humiliated. She went over, in the silence of her own room, as many of the details of their brief acquaintance as she could recall, and tried to discover whether, in her ignorance of society and her meager experience with the world, she had done aught that could justify Kent Monteth in being so astonished, and apparently indignant, over her answer. There was another thing to think of. She had prayed for an opportunity to witness before him for Christ in some strongly defined way. Could the words which she had felt impelled to speak in haste and heat be called a true witnessing for him? Much she feared that when Kent-Monte thought of them afterwards, they would serve only to anger him.

Starting point is 13:33:30 So the eventful day closed in her doing like many another, trying to peer into the future and discover what, whether God could possibly use to his glory any effort of hers to honor him that evening. End of Chapter 40. Chapter 41 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Slibervox Recordings in the Public Domain. Paul, a servant of God. To one member of the Centerville CLSC, the Chautauqua meeting closed unexpectedly early. Paul Adams, who had expected that work on the new cottages, would detain him,

Starting point is 13:34:13 some time after his friends were gone, found, a little to his dismay, that work progressed much more rapidly than he had planned, and that Mr. Tucker was ready to leave on the morning after the campfire. That gentleman apologized as earnestly as though he were violating a previous contract. I meant to see the thing through, he told Paul, and I meant you should see it through, but there's that man at home waiting for me, been waiting ten or so odd days and getting in a hurry. I ought to go. If it wasn't for that stop, we've got to make 50 miles or so this side, and there wasn't some work to see to there that I needed your help in, you should see it out anyhow. But the fact is, I've got so kind of used to having you around to do the right thing at the

Starting point is 13:35:01 right minute, that I ain't no kind of courage to stop and tend to that work without you. And Paul, his face aglow over this frank acknowledgment that his employer found him necessary, expressed his willingness to be ready for the morning boat. Nevertheless, he was sad over it. In parting from Chautauqua, he was, in a special and more peculiar sense than others knew, parting from a friend. Late as the hour was, after the campfires had faded, and a heap of smoldering ashes was all that was left of the bright story, he hovered around them, photographing the strange scene in his memory. Then, alone in the quiet darkness, He came down the hill, following the familiar avenue that led to the amphitheater.

Starting point is 13:35:48 Letting himself in at the little gate, he passed down the long platform and took a seat just behind the desk where he had seen Joseph Cook sitting but the day before. He recalled to mind certain sentences he had heard the great orator utter, sentences that, though Joseph Cook may never know it, will be likely to influence all the boy's future. Imagine Paul Adams' understanding and treasuring up sentences from Joseph Cook. Well, I do not know that a higher compliment can be paid to his genius than to say that the boy Paul understood at least some of his words and treasured them. Some of them? Why, during the time that this uneducated boy sat in the darkness on that lonely platform, he recalled entire sentences from Joseph Cook's sermon on temperance. Sentences which will surely help to make a keen, clear-headed, logical, temperance man of him, from whom the world will yet hear. He recalled entire paragraphs from that wonderful lecture, the recent atrocities of infidelity,

Starting point is 13:36:53 paragraphs which built an effectual wall about him, high enough so that modern spiritualism, that subtlest and vilest form of infidelity, can never touch him, and he can look down over the wall on the silly crowd below and laugh at their vapid imagining. Oh, yes, he understood enough of what the giant intellect poured forth to be forever led upward by it. Will you not give thoughtful attention to one question? Where else, save on a Chautauqua platform, would the boy Paul Adams have been likely to have secured an opportunity to come within the sound of Joseph Cook's voice? Nay, more than that, but for the Chautauqua training, through the aid of one of its local circles, would he ever have cared to listen to such as Joseph Cook?

Starting point is 13:37:42 From the amphitheater, he took long strides to get a farewell view of the hall in the grove. Like Caroline, that was, after all, to him the place of places. It was the legitimate home of the circle to which he belonged, and which he had grown to love with no common love. Its round-table gatherings had given him a start toward that form of culture, which, as a rule, society alone can give, had put him in a way of acquiring, had, in short, taught him how to teach himself not only, but had made clear to him the importance of giving heed to his opportunities. Arrived at the white, quiet building, he entered it with soft tread, and, under an

Starting point is 13:38:28 impulse which he did not in the least understand, uncovered his head. He stepped softly onto the platform, drew the armchair, which was the seat of honor, forward a trifle, and settled himself in it. Then he brought up before him in review the many and varied and wonderful experiences which the weeks had brought him in connection with that spot. What a memory the boy had, a special gift from God which he had been in danger of abusing, burying unused, save for the commonest and lowest needs. How he had increased the power of that memory by his vigor, dashes into books, and his indomitable resolution to conquer them. What a long line of

Starting point is 13:39:12 honored names he brought up before him one by one, and in imagination heard over again their grand words. Dr. Patton, Professor Holmes, Professor Seward, Professor Sherwin, and a long, long list of men who had influence, and whose faces and words he could then recall came trooping up before him. Not least among them was, of course, as is the case with every true Chautauquan, Dr. Vincent himself, whose face and words and kindly acts, this boy, unknown to him, had enshrined in his heart of hearts to be remembered forever, to be talked over when they should take a walk together some day in heaven. This was actually the way in which Paul put it. He was growing ambitious. He had settled long ago that someday when they had both been a good while in heaven, he would

Starting point is 13:40:06 seek out this friend of his, who yet did not know he had been a friend, and tell him all the wonderful story of what the Chautauqua idea had done for him. Was Paul Adams then so sure of living in heaven? Aye, he was, that most momentous of all questions had been settled at Chautauqua. He had earnestly kept the pledge made to Dr. Monteth. He had a earnestly kept the pledge made to Dr. Monteth. He had attended many lectures since, and heard from each one of the speakers, no matter what his theme, some direct and reverent allusion to the book of books. It had been indelibly impressed upon his heart that the Bible was the book to study. Only a little afterwards he took the next step, discovering that the Bible was the book to obey. It was scarcely a step from this point

Starting point is 13:40:53 into the communion of the Savior, so clearly shining forth on every page of the book, and And Paul had declared allegiance to him forever. Oh yes, he meant to take walks in heaven with Dr. Vincent, and many another whom he expected not to know on earth. But my faith has a nearer sight than his. I believe that some of them will yet be proud to take Paul Adams by the hand. Be proud to hear him say, as he will surely say, under God I owe what I am to the working out of the Chautauqua idea.

Starting point is 13:41:29 "'Loo!' said a familiar voice as he sat dreaming in his chair, and Paul gave a sudden start and came to his feet to discover that another than himself was taking a late walk, and his old friend Joe Ward stood before him. "'Dreaming?' asked that worthy. "'No thinking,' said Paul laconically. "'Planning how you will build a great pile in this very spot some day "'which will make the doctor laugh away down to his boots?

Starting point is 13:41:57 All right, do it. Build of marble, Paul, will go shares. I'll furnish the gold and you furnish the brains, and between us will make some of the tomorrows that Dr. Vincent talks about come to pass. His tomorrows will come before our time, said Paul gravely. No, they won't, not all of them. He's the kind of men who will keep on having tomorrows as long as he lives. By the time I get my million ready to spend, he'll be just in the mood to have a good bit of it spent here. It won't be long to wait either. I'm going to have the funds ready before I'm gray. You be on hand, my lad, with your plans. I have a notion that you and I have got to work together. You will have the brains I know, and we'll do something or other on this spot that will be worth

Starting point is 13:42:47 thinking about. Meantime, old fellow, you are going home in the morning I hear? Well, I came out to hunt you up. If you feel just exactly like it and happen to meet Father, maybe you will tell him that I've made up my mind to a thing or two since I've been down here. I can't be James and I can't be you. But I kind of feel as though I wanted Father to know that he needn't be sorry any more that I'm Joe.

Starting point is 13:43:14 I'll tell him. Paul said this most heartily, and then he got down from the professor's chair and put his arm through Joe's, and after a silent last look at the hall, he walked home with Joe, they two speaking words together that were better than marble columns or millions of money, for they represented manhood. Counting from the almanac, Paul Adams had been but nine weeks away from home.

Starting point is 13:43:40 Viewed in the light of all the experiences through which he had passed, and the many tears which his mother had shed for him, the time should have been counted by years. He went over it all as he shouldered his old-fashioned satchel after bidding goodbye to Mr. Tucker and walked up the familiar street from the depot. How entirely natural, and yet how utterly unnatural, everything looked. Can you understand the two states of feeling possessing him at the same time? The Paul Adams, who looked about him on the familiar streets and homes,

Starting point is 13:44:13 was very different from the Paul Adams, who had walked down that same street on his way to the train, one June morning. Nothing anywhere would ever be to him as it had been. There are many who realized the meaning of that sentence. There are many to whom it applies. Well, for them if, like Paul Adams, they can smile joyfully when they think of it. He was so glad to have all things different. His mother had been looking out for him just as she had been during many days of his absence. The boy had many lessons to learn. One of them was that went away from home he ought to write to his mother. Beyond the first scrawl that told of his safe arrival,

Starting point is 13:44:57 and even that was suggested by Mr. Tucker, she had received no word. It had not occurred to her son that he ought to write. Oh, the trials of those nine weeks to his mother, separated from her one treasure for the first time in her life. When Paul is older and wiser, he will be able to write. look back on those bright weeks with one sorrowful memory. Through ignorance, he neglected his mother. The widow Adams had been true to her nature, and borrowed all the trouble that her fertile imagination

Starting point is 13:45:30 could concoct out of the scanty crumbs of knowledge which she possessed. Chautauqua might have been a lair for wild beasts, or a settlement of Indians, for all that she knew to the contrary. Only this bright fact she had to give her what comfort it could. She had herself gone to the depot to see the delegation from the Centerville CLSC start for its distant center. She knew that that center was Chautauqua. Someway, it made her seem a little nearer to her boy to be among the eager crowd at the depot, and here mentioned again and again the place to which he had gone. Then, too, Mrs. Fenton had shaken hands with her, and told her they would find Paul and take good care of him. and she had sent a clean pair of stockings and a handkerchief by the same careful hands.

Starting point is 13:46:20 Dr. Monteth also had told her they should see Paul the next evening, and give him news of his mother, and he had shaken her old hand warmly, and left a paper in it, which he told her was to do errands for her in Paul's place until he returned. The paper proved to be a $10 bank note. On the whole, Mrs. Adams had gone home comforted, But the comfort did not last. She lay awake of nights and planned her disasters by lake and by land, and wept her bitter tears, and prayed her sorrowful prayers, and looked older and more worn than Paul had ever seen her look, when at last he opened the door of the dismal little kitchen and walked in.

Starting point is 13:47:03 Despite her watching, he came unexpectedly, as people generally do. It was while she was stooping over the oven to take out a Johnny Cake that she had baked for her supper, and he bent over her and kissed her. She gave a startled little scream. She was not used to having kisses. I don't know why he kissed her, unless it was that at one of the stations on the road he had watched a grand-looking young man bid goodbye to what was evidently his old mother, and had admired, with others, the tender kiss which he left on the withered cheek. I do not mean that the boy Paul was copying his example for effect. I mean rather, to the that for the first time in his life that had impressed him as an eminently fitting thing to do,

Starting point is 13:47:49 had made him think of his mother's wrinkled cheek, and have, then and there, a strong desire to feel it pressed against his lips. "'Oh, Paul!' she said, and then she set her Johnny Cake on one chair and herself on another, and looked at him. "'What was different? Had he grown tall? Certainly he had, and sunburned, and his hair was longer. but those were not the changes that she meant. She surveyed him slowly from head to foot.

Starting point is 13:48:19 His clothes were the same. She had patched them carefully. She knew them well. The hat was the same. The boots were the very ones that he had taken to be mended but the day before he went away. Yet she felt it thrilling through her, some nameless, distinctly marked change about her boy.

Starting point is 13:48:37 The feeling lasted while they were at the tea table, and they lingered over that meal as they too had never done before. And the boy praised the Johnny cake and the roasted potato, and said he was glad to get home to her cooking again. And the mother almost laughed out right, and was secretly glad she had been so busy with her work that day as to get herself no dinner, therefore this royalty. He talked with her freely, as he had never done before, told her about that wonderful, mysterious Chautauqua, gave her bits of the life there, glimpses of the lake and the bells and the fireworks and the music,

Starting point is 13:49:16 which sounded exactly to her like the one fairy story she had read in her girlhood. Then she had her bit of news to tell. She thought about it curiously afterwards, how differently she told it from what she had intended. Paul, she had meant to say, don't you think a wonderful thing has happened to us? Yesterday Mr. Ward came to see me, and said his boys were coming home in a few days,

Starting point is 13:49:41 and he wanted things pleasant for them, and he hired me to go and live there and be housekeeper. He says you can have the little room next to the boys, and I can fix it up for you, and he gives me good pay. Isn't that news? She had never once thought of consulting him, though hers was a timid, clinging nature that would have been glad to consult, had Paul ever given her a chance. She did not tell him in that way. Looking up at him with that curious, bewildered look, she said instead, I have got something to tell you. Then she repeated Mr. Ward's offer, saying nothing about the little room that was to be fixed up for him, and ended with, What do you think about it, Paul? Hadn't I better accept it? Then did Paul take to stirring

Starting point is 13:50:29 his weak tea thoughtfully with the pitiful little silver teaspoon, sole relic of his grandmother Adams' better days, and gave himself up to grave thought? This was a revelation not in keeping with his plans. He had had grand daydreams at Chautauqua. If he did not write to his mother, it was not because he did not think much about her. In his dreams, he saw the dingy kitchen transformed by paint and paper and white curtains and new furniture into a place of beauty. Even the transformed kitchen would not suit him long.

Starting point is 13:51:05 He knew that, and although he meant to make haste slowly, he could not help taking occasional flights into a farther future, delighting his heart with the sort of house that he would one day build for her, and the adornings that her own room should have. It was this thought which sweetened the somewhat bitter one that a door, not of his opening, was showing his mother the way to a less toilsome life. Perhaps it would be better in the end. He could save more and work the harder, and bring the beautiful home of her own into nearer view. Well, he said at last, his mother waiting with an entirely new feeling of deference for his opinion. Do you like the plan?

Starting point is 13:51:48 Why, I like it if you do, she said doubtfully. She had liked it exceedingly in the morning. It wouldn't be hard work. They have a most convenient house, and they do live at such sixes and sevens nowadays. I'm sorry for them. You could, board there you know. She hesitated a little over what word. to use. A certain fine instinct told her, looking into the new light that had come in his handsome

Starting point is 13:52:14 eyes, that she must say nothing to him about the room that Mr. Ward had said could be fixed up for him. She had supported him all his life, but not with that look in his eyes. But then, if you don't like it, she added eagerly, why, we won't say another word about it. Let him find a housekeeper where he can. If you would rather mother would stay in her kitchen, I shall like it as well as ever now that you have got home. I guess I do like it, he said after another thoughtful silence. At first it went right across my plan to take care of you, but I can't give you just now all you need, and this will help out until I get squarely on my feet and be an easier life for you. I mean you shall have everything you want, Mother.

Starting point is 13:53:04 Bless your heart, she said, catching up the corner of her apron, to brush away a tear. I've got you again, and that is every blessed thing I want. He rose up from the table. They had sat late, and his homecoming had been late. He looked at the ticking clock in the corner, and saw that it almost marked the hour when his always tired mother went to her bed, and he had another thing to tell her. He busied himself steadily about the kindlings and the fresh pail of water, though she protested that she could do it all as well as not. Then he came over to her, as she sat down by the little stand table for a minute. Your bed is all ready, she said, I kept it ready because I was hoping every night that you would come. Her old worn Bible lay

Starting point is 13:53:53 on the table, and he knew that she would struggle through a few verses after he was gone, and then that she would kneel down and pray for him. He reached for the Bible, and without a word, turned the leaves, and began to read. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Those two verses Dr. Monteth had shown him one day, smilingly called them Paul's confession of faith, since which time the boy had studied them until they had seemed to become a part of himself and were adopted as his own confession.

Starting point is 13:54:41 "'Mother,' he said gently to the poor bewildered little widow, "'that means me. I am a servant of God, and I shall surely have the eternal life, for God who cannot lie has promised it to me. Mother, let us pray.' A moment more, and mother and son were on their knees, and the family altar was set up in the widow Adams' kitchen. O'Shetakwa, justly proud of your grand amphitheater, with its wonderful platform, of your children's temple,

Starting point is 13:55:12 where the truths of the platform are put into use for his little ones, of your hall in the grove, named for the great apostle himself, a hall which is the center of the literary and scientific circle, which will yet encircle the world, you may well be glad that you are also a Christian circle, a Christian center. You have reason to be thrice glad that the circle of your Christian influence reached far enough to take in the boy Paul Adams, for not only shall he in the future make a name of which Chautauqua will be proud, but his prayers and plans and labors will ever reach out

Starting point is 13:55:49 toward the center that reached him. And rich indeed is that literary association which is circled by such prayers as the widow Adams shall offer henceforth for all who helped in any way to give to her her praying son. End of Chapter 41. Chapter 42 of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy. The Sliberbox recording is in the public domain. The yesterdays and the tomorrows. The last day at Chautauqua, the evening on which our party reached those enchanted grounds,

Starting point is 13:56:29 one of their number had exclaimed, only think of a six weeks vacation, we shall have time for everything. The feeling with which some of them looked at that last day was that somehow they had been defrauded of their time. They had meant to do this and that and the other thing, to go here and there, and lo, one morning the talk was all of tickets and timetables, routes and baggage. The holiday was gone, yet they filled that last day full to overflowing.

Starting point is 13:56:59 I'm going to every single meeting there is today, was Robert Fenton's ambitious declaration at the breakfast table, and some of the others, though less outspoken, seemed to be doing their best to vie with this undertaking. At the eight o'clock lecture, Dr. Moorhead filled the hall to overflowing, and was the innocent means of sending away many grumblers who declared that they did not see why such a lecture as that could not have been delivered at the amphitheater, so that all the people could have heard. The normal reunion program called out every member of the classes, and a great many who were not members.

Starting point is 13:57:39 Of course people will come to that, prophesied that wise young head, Robert. Professor Holmes is going to read us a story, and folks who wouldn't learn a normal lesson to save their precious frizzies will come out to hear a story. Good for Chautauqua that she had a story. a story to which the frizzies could be induced to give attention, which was yet so full of earnest thought and careful suggestion and delightful future possibilities, that the author thereof

Starting point is 13:58:08 became, through that medium also, one of the educators at Chautauqua. Don't you hope, dear Chautauquins, that he may someday be induced to put that story about my pupil and I into print for the refreshment of those who heard and the benefit of the many who were not there to hear? One of the special features of the day was the procession, when the different organizations which have their center at Chautauqua formed unbroken line and took together a farewell walk through their beloved grove.

Starting point is 13:58:41 Of course, during this trip it was the most natural thing in the world for those who loved to walk together to be found in each other's company. You may, if you choose, explain in this way the fact that the pretty Amy in her white dress and bluest ribbons walked beside James Ward. How pretty it must all look to those standing outside and looking in, said Amy, as the leaders rounded a curve in the avenue.

Starting point is 13:59:08 Who are all those men just behind the band? Oh, I know, the trustees of the grounds. Isn't the music sweet? I think that is a splendid band. Oh, how many children! I didn't suppose the look-up legion was so large. How many grand things they do here for children, don't they? There go the normal graduates.

Starting point is 13:59:29 I wish I could see all our CLSC people, so I could get an idea of how many there are of us. I wish I could be in the procession and at some point outside looking on at the same time. Then she twisted her neck to get a view of the lengthening column, but it stretched away beyond her vision. What a lovely walk it was! past the temple, the amphitheater, the Hall of Philosophy,

Starting point is 13:59:55 away down the hill to the auditorium, and then back to the amphitheater. Dear old hall, said Amy tenderly, some unshed tears standing in her blue eyes as she looked at the white-pillared structure for the last time that season. Oh, I wonder if I shall ever see you again. What a summer this has been! I love every board in that floor! Haven't we had just delightful times at the round table meetings? Oh, I do feel so sorry for those poor CLSC people who stayed at home. What do they know about Chautauqua? We must tell them all about it, said James Ward cheerily.

Starting point is 14:00:35 I'm sure you can describe the hall and the grove in which it stands with the lake at its feet. Do you know Paul Adams calls it his grove? He says he leaves the St.ath and says to himself, Paul's Grove, Paul's Grove. and then laughs all over inside to think that he ever heard of it. Isn't he a queer boy? He is a genius, said James Ward. We shall hear from him yet. I know it, said Amy.

Starting point is 14:01:05 And we had to come to Chautauqua to find it out. Isn't that strange? But James Ward answered with a meaning smile that they had come to Chautauqua to find out a great many things, and Amy, blushing much and smiling back, was suddenly silent. There had been several concerts held in the Great Amphitheater, but by common consent, that last one, led jointly by the two leading professors, Kaysen Seaword, was pronounced the

Starting point is 14:01:34 very finest of all. I think the beautiful shower that came pouring down so copiously on the thirsty earth, which the great audience securely sheltered, looked out and enjoyed, but added to the pleasure of the hour. It was all beautiful, said Mrs. Fenton, as they picked their homeward steps carefully over the sparkling grass. But, oh, to think that it is the very last! I wonder that they had the heart to close with the hallelujah chorus, and there were tears shining in her eyes. Nobody answered her for a little, the spell of the swift coming parting overshadowed them all. But at last young Robert remarked that he supposed they ought to sing hallelujah because there was such a place as Chautauqua,

Starting point is 14:02:20 and that they had been in it all summer. Aye, said Mr. Masters, and mean to be in it next summer. Household matters received very little attention in the short space between the afternoon and evening meetings. Caroline set the breadpan away with a remark halfway between a smile and a sigh to the effect that it made very little difference what became of that dish, nobody would ever want any more bread not mixed in that pan said mrs fenton resolved on being cheerful when we get into our own house next year we must have one of the granite tins they are ever so much better Very early in the evening the tide set toward the amphitheater, where the farewell service was to be held. It had been supposed that great numbers had already left the grounds,

Starting point is 14:03:12 but if this were true, they must either have returned or sent their friends, for all standing as well as sitting space was occupied. There were many speakers at that farewell meeting, prominent among them, Professor Seward, the apostle of the new system of music that began that season at Chautau. its triumphal march towards the revolutionizing of the art. It is really a singular providence, said the professor, that the first formal effort for the introduction of the system into this country should be here at Chautauqua,

Starting point is 14:03:47 where the inspiring thought has been from the beginning to adopt great and good things for the masses. That is a concise and truthful way of putting it, said Mr. Masters, speaking in undertone to Caroline, It describes both the Chautauqua idea and the tonic sofa system of music. I think it is destined to become universal. And Caroline replied that for the sake of suffering thousands who had been proved incapable of understanding the bewildering contradictions of the other system,

Starting point is 14:04:20 she earnestly hoped it would. Those two did a good deal of undertone talking during the exercises. Constantly there seemed to occur to one or the other of them, a something left unsaid that ought to be put in before the next morning's parting. What has become of Kent Monteith? Mr. Masters asked during a musical interlude. Robert Fenton says he went to Boston yesterday morning by the early boat. Did he, indeed? I wonder what hastened his plans. He told me last week that he expected to remain in this region for some time. Robert and he had a conversation a day or two ago,

Starting point is 14:05:00 during which Robert spoke very plainly as to his change of views and the misstatements that he believes Mr. Montief to have made to him, and he, Robert, thinks the gentleman was annoyed. He judged so by his manner. Mr. Monteth told him he was disgusted with the fanaticism of Chautauqua, and would be glad to get away. During this explanation, Caroline kept her head drooped, and her eyes on the copy of the Chautauqua Carols that she held in her life. lap, so, though he looked steadily at her, Mr. Masters failed to get a glimpse of her eyes. I wonder if he has been annoyed by other conversations held at Chautauqua? She had no answer for this, unless a deepening flush could be called answer, and only

Starting point is 14:05:48 smiled very slightly in reply to the laugh which he could not quite control. When Mr. Loden, the renowned Basso of the Jubilee's, came forward to address the audience, These two somewhat preoccupied ones gave close attention. There was something wonderful in the thought of the dusky-hued brother coming as an equal among the honored workers and making his farewell offering. One sentence in his address made Caroline's eyes flash in special answering sympathy.

Starting point is 14:06:20 As I looked out upon this sea of faces tonight, this thought occurred to me. What will it be when we shall be permitted to look upon that great multitude that no man can number, with palms in their hands crying, blessing and honor and glory in power to him who hath redeemed us and washed us in his blood. It is what these immense enthusiastic gatherings always bring to my mind,

Starting point is 14:06:45 she said earnestly. The coming of Lewis Miller, the president of the association, was the signal for a round of applause. The people always applauded when they saw their president. Not that they heard often from him, or indeed, were they familiar with his face in public places, but those well acquainted with the Chautauqua idea knew well that the brains and the energy and the purse of Lewis Miller backed all its enterprises. The peculiar white-winged salute, which belongs only to Chautauqua, was given him on this

Starting point is 14:07:19 evening with unusual energy. Mr. Miller is a quick-sighted man, and a man of warm impulses. by his own feeling how very near the surface lay the tears of that audience on that evening. He is a man of judgment. He knew just how unfortunate it would be to let the closing meeting lose its control and become a scene of tearful memory. So to the beautiful silent salute, he replied by first feeling in a pocket or two, and then saying lightly, it so happens that I have no handkerchief with which to return your

Starting point is 14:07:54 salute, and the laughter which always lies so near to tears rippled forth. Of course, the farewell address was by Dr. Vincent. His closing sentences were so full of the plans and purposes that go far toward making Chautauqua what it is, that I copy them entire for us all to remember. We live one life, we have one law, the law of love. Bitterness has no place in the ideal life. gentleness, patience, long-suffering, the large, wide outlook from another's standpoint, the charity that hopeth all things, and beareth all things, the charity that is kind, this is the gift we covet. And if we should come, sometime in future years, to spelling our great word Chautauqua over again, and should spell it, C-H-A-R-I-T-Y, we shall have accomplished

Starting point is 14:08:48 great things by Chautauqua, even a thing that shall live forever. May God bestow upon us this blessed spirit, that as representative of all parts of the land, and all denominations of Christians, and all nations of earth, we may come nearer to him who is the one center, and reflect his glory and his beauty, until being transformed into his image, we shall be prepared for eternal fellowship with him. I do not remember having told you how Chautauquins sing the glory. Ah, you should have heard it as the great congregation sang that night. Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the

Starting point is 14:09:35 as it was in the is now and ever shall be. Amen. Some voices faltered as the thought would intrude that the aisles of the amphitheater and the hills about Chautauqua would resound with the swelling notes no more, but would be left to winter's pall of snow in silence. Still, hundreds and hundreds of voices rose above the dreary thought and rolled forth the story, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen. Even then there were determined spirits who would not let the sense of parting remain uppermost. Somebody, gifted just then with an inspiration,

Starting point is 14:10:33 called for the Chautauqua salute for Dr. Vincent, and surely all the white handkerchiefs in the world responded at that moment. Let us put it into words, shouted a voice, and immediately the air rang with cheers. The seventh Sunday school assembly was over, yet the people refused to credit it, refused to leave the amphitheater to loneliness. They had crowded to those seats so long,

Starting point is 14:11:01 had come early and stayed late for so many days that to go away now with the feeling that the bells would not call them again was an inexpressibly saddening thought. They gathered in groups and shook hands and laughed a little and used their handkerchiefs for other purposes than salute and went a few steps as if the resolution had been taken to go home, then paused in groups again and looked back to the platform where were gathered crowds engaged in hand-shaking.

Starting point is 14:11:31 Presently there burst before their waiting eyes a beautiful golden light, in the midst of which revolved a star. Fireworks, said the eager children, and those who had firmly resolved that now at last they were going home, turned at the sight, and speedily retraced their steps, and mingled with the crowd again. It was not until the rockets and balls and red lights and golden lights and wheels and stars had all spun and whirled and hissed themselves into silence, and the beautiful fire-lighted word, goodbye,

Starting point is 14:12:05 had burned in silent beauty before them, and the Chautauqua bells had peeled out their final warning, that at last the crowds moved off reluctantly, up and down, and around the hill. "'I am glad we came to Chautauqua,' said Robert Fenton, with a somewhat husky voice, speaking to his mother as he trudged at her side up the avenue. I'm awful glad we came to Chautauqua. I don't suppose I shall ever be gladder of anything,

Starting point is 14:12:33 but I'll tell you what I wish. I wish we had been at home for ten months, and this was the night we were packing up to come here. Both father and mother, who but a moment before had had much ado to hide from each other the evidences of dreariness which possessed them, yielded to the pressure of this curious wish, and burst into hearty laughter. So they went home with good cheer after all. I don't know that I ever felt less like going tamely home, Mr. Masters said, as they turned into an avenue that hid the amphitheater from view. Suppose we pretend that you are a pilgrim and take the route that will give you one last look

Starting point is 14:13:14 at your shrine. The hall in the grove? said Caroline, smiling. Joseph Ward says that Paul went on a pilgrimage there the evening before he left. He found him sitting in the professor's chair preparing for future greatness. That is Joe's rendering of it. I don't wonder he went there, said Mr. Masters. What a sacred place that hall must be to those three boys, four boys indeed. I think I may put Robert Fenton in for the fourth. Few can love the hall any better, and with better reason than he. I don't think Robert has been troubled by a shadow since he heard Dr. Meredith's sermon. and but for the saturday afternoon lecture in the hall he would not have heard the sermon said caroline he took one of his violent fancies to dr meredith and with good reason i hope the doctor will know some day that he had a hand in setting the boy's feet on the rock it is a pity that all these grand people cannot know what they have been doing

Starting point is 14:14:18 By this time they had reached the hall and taken their seats in silence. Something of the same feeling that had made Paul Adams take off his hat held Caroline quiet. Do you remember? Her friend asked, speaking in subdued tones, the first evening you ever saw the hall? Do I remember? By the glimmer of the night lamps, he saw her eyes flash. I shall always remember that, but we must not sit here.

Starting point is 14:14:47 And she arose at once. I want to get just one last memory of it to take home with me, and then I am ready. The tomorrow of Chautauqua. I wonder what it will be. I have faith in it as I never had before. It will be great because of the wheels it has this year set in motion. Why, even I, from my narrow circle, know of wheels enough to make it famous. I wonder how this place feels all deserted.

Starting point is 14:15:15 Can you fancy a sense of desolate? that may come creeping over it tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, when it waits and watches for the sound of feet, and they do not come? And by and by, the autumn leaves come and blow in here, and no feet rustle them, and by and by the snows come and drift in here, and no feet make footprints. Oh! And she shivered. I'll tell you what will break the stillness, he said eagerly. The bell up on the hill there will ring out its gay notes on each memorial day. The doctor said you know that it would ring at noon, and that wherever we were, true Chautauquins would hear its echoes. Don't you think the hall will

Starting point is 14:15:59 hear them and understand? The bell will say to it, coming, coming, coming, they are coming back. Chautauqua priestess of the old, evangel of the new. Oh, the old hall will understand. They laughed both of them. They were persons not given to letting their fancies run wild after this fashion. All the more because of this, they enjoyed it. Those memorial days, said Caroline tenderly, I am glad there are twelve of them. I think I shall hear the bell echo. I am glad so many of the special days are Sabbaths. I am glad the special object on those days is to pray for the interests of the circle. I believe I am glad for everything. The yesterdays of Chautauqua, said Mr. Masters, what of them, I wonder.

Starting point is 14:16:50 Do you suppose there were weird council fires burning here on the spot where the hall stands tonight? Do you think the red-faced chiefs planned conflicts and conquests, and looked up to the great spirit to invoke his aid? I fancy I can see their dusky forms hovering around us tonight, hovering over us, mayhap, the spirits of the yesterdays. Do you suppose they think their dear old camping ground is desecrated? Ah, I don't know, said Caroline thoughtfully. One cannot help wishing that the warriors would come back, and here in their old campground get a touch of the new life that flows in its veins,

Starting point is 14:17:30 the old name spelled over again, not Chautauqua, but charity, which is love. Love supreme to the great spirit, love universal to mankind. Thou shalt love the Lord. thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself. Don't you wish, by the light of our modern campfire, the dark-faced ones could gather and learn to spell that word? Chautauqua must reach out after their descendants, and help them to spell it, he said in a low-moved tone. And then, but Caroline, it is

Starting point is 14:18:07 possible that even among the yesterdays some of them groped through the primeval darkness of their woods and learned the story. Listen. In de dark wood, no Indian nigh, then me look heaven and send up cry upon my knees so low, that God on high in shiny place, see me in night with teary face, de spirit tell me so. God sent he angels, take me care. He comes himself, he hear my prayer. If inside heart do pray. God see me now, he know me here. He say, Poor Indian never fear. Me with you night and day. So me love God with inside heart.

Starting point is 14:18:51 He fight for me, he take my part, He save my life before. God love poor Indian Indy would. So me love God and dat be good. Me'll praise him two times more. When me be old, me head be gray, Then he no leave me, so he say, Me with you till you die.

Starting point is 14:19:12 take me up to shiny place, see white man, red man, black man's face, all happy like on high. Few days, then God will come to me, he knock off chains, he set me free, then take me up on high, then Indians sing his praises blessed, and Lubben praise him would de rest, and never, never die. He repeated the words with matchless tenderness, and the tears, which had been ready to fall all the evening came unchecked from Caroline's eyes. It is beautiful, she said with broken voice. Oh, I wish so much that all the dark-skinned men of the woods could have felt the Lord looking down on them.

Starting point is 14:19:55 Ah, now, he said, you have let tears come, and the parting from the hall in the grove should be in smiles because of its prophetic glory. Come, let me tell you a story of tomorrow. Lift up, lift up thy voice with singing. dear land with strength, lift up thy voice. The kingdoms of the earth are bringing, their treasures to thy gates rejoice. Arise and shine in youth immortal,

Starting point is 14:20:22 thy light is come, thy king appears, beyond the century's swinging portal, breaks a new dawn, the thousand years. Caroline, if ever persons had cause to rejoice over the tomorrows, whatever they may bring to us, it is you and I, for we have learned to look forward, to the youth immortal, where we fully expect to arise and shine, and the Lord has given us,

Starting point is 14:20:46 through the agency of this very Chautauqua, and this very grove, and this very hall, the blessed privilege of walking through all the tomorrows of our earthly future together. Said Caroline, bless the Lord, oh my soul. Then in the quiet of the hushed woods, as with one mind, their voices blended. Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. End of Chapter 42. End of the Hall in the Grove by Pansy.

Classic Audiobook Collection - The Hall in the Grove by Pansy ~ Full Audiobook [religion]

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.