de no provision whatever for courting couples," said
Doctor Gordon suddenly, and to James's astonishment his whole manner and
voice had changed. It was far from gloomy. It was jocular even.

James laughed. "Yes, it would be difficult for two to walk arm in arm,
however loving," he returned.

"Just so," said the doctor, "and the funny part of it is that this
narrow sidewalk was intentional."

"Not for such a purpose?"

"Exactly so. It was given to the town by a rich spinster who died about
twenty years ago. It was given in her will on condition that it should
not be more than two feet wide."

"For that reason?"

"Just that reason. She had been jilted in her youth, and her heart had
been wrung by the sight of her rival passing her very window where she
sat watching for her lover, arm in arm with him. It was in summer, and
the dirt sidewalk was dry. She made up her mind, then and there, that
that sort of thing should be prevented."

They had just reached a handsome old house standing close to the narrow
sidewalk. In fact, its windows opened directly upon it.

"This is the house," the doctor said in corroboration. James laughed,
but he wondered within himself if he were being told fish tales. Doctor
Gordon made him feel so very young that he resented it. He resented it
the more when he realized the new glow of adoration in his heart for
that older woman whom they had left behind. He began wondering about
her: how much older she was. He said to himself that he did not care if
she were old enough to be his mother, his grandmother even, there was no
one in the whole world like her.

Then they came to the hotel, the Evarts House. It was rather
pretentious, well built, with great columns in front supporting double
verandas. It was also well lighted. It was evidently far above the usual
order of a road house. Doctor Gordon entered, with James at his heels.
They went into the great low room at the right of the door, which was
the bar-room. Behind the bar stood an enormous man, yellow haired and
yellow bearded, dispensing drinks. The whole low interior was dim with
tobacco smoke, and scented with various liquors and spices. There was on
one side a great fireplace, in which stood earthen pitchers, in which
cider was being mulled with red-hot pokers, eager vinous faces watching.
Nobody was intoxicated, but there was a general hum of hilarity and
gusto of life about the place, an animal enjoyment of good cheer and
jollity.