\"Idon\'tknow。Dryfoosthoughtofhavingladies,butitseemsyourinfallibleFulkersonoverruledhim。TheirpresencemighthavekeptLindauandourhostinbounds。\"
IthadbecomepartoftheMarches\'conjugaljokeforhimtopretendthatshecouldallownothingwronginFulkerson,andhenowlaughedwithamockingairofhavingexpecteditwhenshesaid:\"Well,then,ifMr。
Fulkersonsayshewillseethatitallcomesoutright,Isupposeyoumusttrusthistact。Iwouldn\'ttrustyours,Basil。ThefirstwrongstepwastakenwhenMr。Lindauwasaskedtohelponthemagazine。\"
\"Well,itwasyourinfallibleFulkersonthattookthestep,oratleastsuggestedit。I\'mhappytosayIhadtotallyforgottenmyearlyfriend。\"
Mrs。Marchwasdauntedandsilencedforamoment。Thenshesaid:\"Oh,pshaw!Youknowwellenoughhedidittopleaseyou。\"
\"I\'mverygladhedidn\'tdoittopleaseyou,Isabel,\"saidherhusband,withaffectedseriousness。\"Thoughperhapshedid。\"
Hebegantolookatthehumorousaspectoftheaffair,whichitcertainlyhad,andtocommentonthesingularincongruitieswhich\'EveryOtherWeek\'wasdestinedtoinvolveateverymomentofitscareer。
\"IwonderifI\'mmistakeninsupposingthatnootherperiodicalwaseverlikeit。Perhapsallperiodicalsarelikeit。ButIdon\'tbelievethere\'sanotherpublicationinNewYorkthatcouldbringtogether,inhonorofitself,afraternityandequalitycranklikepooroldLindau,andabelatedsociologicalcranklikeWoodburn,andatruculentspeculatorlikeoldDryfoos,andahumanitariandreamerlikeyoungDryfoos,andasentimentalistlikeme,andanondescriptlikeBeaton,andapureadvertisingessencelikeFulkerson,andasocietyspiritlikeKendricks。Ifwecouldonlyallowoneanothertotalkuninterruptedlyallthetime,thedinnerwouldbethegreatestsuccessintheworld,andweshouldcomehomefullofthehighestmutualrespect。ButI
suspectwecan\'tmanagethat——evenyourinfallibleFulkersoncouldn\'tworkit——andI\'mafraidthatthere\'llbesomelisteningthat\'llspoilthepleasureofthetime。\"
MarchwassowellpleasedwiththisviewofthecasethathesuggestedtheideainvolvedtoFulkerson。Fulkersonwastoogoodafellownottolaughatanotherman\'sjoke,buthelaughedalittleruefully,andheseemedwornwithmorethanonekindofcareintheintervalthatpassedbetweenthepresenttimeandthenightofthedinner。
Dryfoosnecessarilydependeduponhimforadviceconcerningthescopeandnatureofthedinner,buthereceivedtheadvicesuspiciously,andcontestedpointsofobviousproprietywithpertinaciousstupidity。
Fulkersonsaidthatwhenitcametothepointhewouldratherhavehadthething,ashecalledit,atDelmonico\'sorsomeotherrestaurant;butwhenhefoundthatDryfoos\'spridewasboundupinhavingitathisownhouse,hegavewaytohim。Dryfoosalsowantedhiswoman-cooktopreparethedinner,butFulkersonpersuadedhimthatthiswouldnotdo;hemusthaveitfromacaterer。ThenDryfooswantedhismaidstowaitattable,butFulkersonconvincedhimthatthiswouldbeincongruousataman\'sdinner。ItwasdecidedthatthedinnershouldbesentinfromFrescobaldi\'s,andDryfooswentwithFulkersontodiscussitwiththecaterer。Heinsisteduponhavingeverythingexplainedtohim,andthereasonforhavingit,andnotsomethingelseinitsplace;andhetreatedFulkersonandFrescobaldiasiftheywereinleaguetoimposeuponhim。
ThereweremomentswhenFulkersonsawthevarnishofprofessionalpolitenesscrackingontheNeapolitan\'svolcanicsurface,andcaughtaglimpseofthelavafiresofthecook\'snaturebeneath;hetrembledforDryfoos,whowaswalkingrough-shodoverhiminthesecurityofanAmericanwhohadknownhowtomakehismoney,andmustknowhowtospendit;buthegothimsafelyawayatlast,andgaveFrescobaldiawinkofsympathyforhisshrugofexhaustionastheyturnedtoleavehim。
ItwasatfirstareliefandthenananxietywithFulkersonthatLindaudidnotcomeaboutafteracceptingtheinvitationtodinner,untilheappearedatDryfoos\'shouse,prompttothehour。Therewas,tobesure,nothingtobringhim;butFulkersonwasuneasilyawarethatDryfoosexpectedtomeethimattheoffice,andperhapsreceivesomeverbalacknowledgmentofthehonordonehim。Dryfoos,hecouldsee,thoughthewasdoingallhisinvitedguestsafavor;andwhilehestoodinacertainaweofthemaspeopleofmuchgreatersocialexperiencethanhimself,regardedthemwithakindofcontempt,aspeoplewhoweregoingtohaveabetterdinnerathishousethantheycouldeveraffordtohaveattheirown。Hehadfinallynotsparedexpenseuponit;afterpushingFrescobalditothepointoferuptionwithhismisgivingsandsuspicionsatthefirstinterview,hehadgonetohimasecondtimealone,andtoldhimnottoletthemoneystandbetweenhimandanythinghewouldliketodo。IntheabsenceofFrescobaldi\'sfellow-conspiratorherestoredhimselfinthecaterer\'sesteembyaddingwhateverhesuggested;andFulkerson,aftertremblingfortheoldman\'sniggardliness,wasnowafraidofafantasticprofusioninthefeast。Dryfooshadreducedthescaleofthebanquetasregardedthenumberofguests,butaconfusingremembranceofwhatFulkersonhadwishedtodoremainedwithhiminpart,anduptothedayofthedinnerhedroppedinatFrescobaldi\'sandorderedmoredishesandmoreofthem。HeimpressedtheItalianasanAmericanoriginalofanovelkind;andwhenheaskedFulkersonhowDryfooshadmadehismoney,andlearnedthatitwasprimarilyinnaturalgas,hemadenoteofsomeofhiseccentrictastesaspeculiaritiesthatweretobecaressedinanyfuturenatural-gasmillionairewhomightfallintohishands。HedidnotbegrudgethetimehehadtogiveinexplainingtoDryfoostherelationofthedifferentwinestothedifferentdishes;Dryfooswasapttosubstituteacostlierwinewherehecouldforacheaperone,andhegaveFrescobaldicarteblancheforthedecorationofthetablewithpiecesofartisticconfectionery。Amongthesethecatererdesignedoneforasurprisetohispatronandadelicaterecognitionofthesourceofhiswealth,whichhefoundDryfoosverywillingtotalkabout,whenheintimatedthatheknewwhatitwas。
DryfoosleftittoFulkersontoinvitetheguests,andhefoundreadyacceptanceofhispolitenessfromKendricks,whorightlyregardedthedinnerasapartofthe\'EveryOtherWeek\'business,andwastoosweetandkind-hearted,anyway,nottoseemverygladtocome。Marchwasamatterofcourse;butinColonelWoodburn,Fulkersonencounteredareluctancewhichembarrassedhimthemorebecausehewasconsciousofhaving,formotivesofhisown,ratherstrainedapointinsuggestingthecoloneltoDryfoosasafitsubjectforinvitation。Therehadbeenonlyoneofthecolonel\'sarticlesprintedasyet,andthoughithadmadeasensationinitsway,andstartedthetalkaboutthatnumber,stillitdidnotfairlyconstitutehimamemberofthestaff,orevenentitlehimtorecognitionasaregularcontributor。FulkersonfeltsosureofpleasinghimwithDryfoos\'smessagethathedelivereditinfullfamilycouncilatthewidow\'s。HisdaughterreceiveditwithalltheenthusiasmthatFulkersonhadhopedfor,butthecolonelsaid,stiffly,\"IhavenotthepleasureofknowingMr。Dryfoos。\"MissWoodburnappearedreadytofalluponhimatthis,butcontrolledherself,asifawarethatfilialauthorityhaditslimits,andpressedherlipstogetherwithoutsayinganything。
\"Yes,Iknow,\"Fulkersonadmitted。\"Butitisn\'tausualcase。Mr。
Dryfoosdon\'tgoinmuchfortheconventionalities;Ireckonhedon\'tknowmuchabout\'em,cometoboilitdown;andhehoped\"——hereFulkersonfeltthenecessityofinventingalittle——\"thatyouwouldexcuseanywantofceremony;it\'stobesuchaninformalaffair,anyway;we\'reallgoinginbusinessdress,andthereain\'tgoingtobeanyladies。He\'dhavecomehimselftoaskyou,buthe\'sakindofabashfuloldfellow。It\'sallright,ColonelWoodburn。\"
\"Itakeitthatitis,sir,\"saidthecolonel,courteously,butwithunabatedstate,\"comingfromyou。Butinthesematterswehavenorighttoburdenourfriendswithourdecisions。\"
\"Ofcourse,ofcourse,\"saidFulkerson,feelingthathehadbeendelicatelytoldtomindhisownbusiness。
\"Iunderstand,\"thecolonelwenton,\"therelationthatMr。Dryfoosbearstotheperiodicalinwhichyouhavedonemethehonortoprintmypapah,butthisisaquestionofpassingtheboundsofapurelybusinessconnection,andofeatingthesaltofamanwhomyoudonotdefinitelyknowtobeagentleman。\"
\"Mahgoodness!\"hisdaughterbrokein。\"Ifyoubahyourownsaltwithhismoney——\"
\"ItissupposedthatIearnhismoneybeforeIbuymysaltwithit,\"
returnedherfather,severely。\"Andinthesetimes,whenmoneyisgotinheaps,throughthenaturaldecayofournefariouscommercialism,itbehoovesagentlemantobescrupulousthatthehospitalityofferedhimisnottheprofusionofathiefwithhisbooty。Idon\'tsaythatMr。
Dryfoos\'sgood-fortuneisnothonest。IsimplysaythatIknownothingaboutit,andthatIshouldprefertoknowsomethingbeforeIsatdownathisboard。\"
\"You\'reallright,colonel,\"saidFulkerson,\"andsoisMr。Dryfoos。
Igiveyoumywordthattherearenofliesonhispersonalintegrity,ifthat\'swhatyoumean。He\'shard,andhe\'dpushanadvantage,butI
don\'tbelievehewouldtakeanunfairone。He\'sspeculatedandmademoneyeverytime,butIneverheardofhiswreckingarailroadorbelongingtoanyswindlingcompanyoranygrindingmonopoly。Hedoeschanceitinstocks,buthe\'salwaysplayedonthesquare,ifyoucallstocksgambling。\"
\"MayI,thinkthisovertillmorning?\"askedthecolonel。
\"Oh,certainly,certainly,\"saidFulkerson,eagerly。\"Idon\'tknowasthere\'sanyhurry。\"
MissWoodburnfoundachancetomurmurtohimbeforehewent:\"He\'llcome。AndAh\'msomuchoblahged,Mr。Fulkerson。Ahjostknowit\'sallyou\'doing,anditwillgivepapaachancetotoaktosomenewpeople,andgetawayfromusevahlastin\'womenforonce。\"
\"Idon\'tseewhyanyoneshouldwanttodothat,\"saidFulkerson,withgratefulgallantry。\"ButI\'llbedogged,\"hesaidtoMarchwhenhetoldhimaboutthisoddexperience,\"ifIeverexpectedtofindColonelWoodburnonoldLindau\'sground。Hedidcomeroundhandsomelythismorningatbreakfastandapologizedfortakingtimetothinktheinvitationoverbeforeheaccepted。\'Youunderstand,\'hesays,\'thatifithadbeentothetableofsomefriendnotsoprosperousasMr。Dryfoos——yourfriendMr。March,forinstance——itwouldhavebeensufficienttoknowthathewasyourfriend。Butinthesedaysitisadutythatagentlemanoweshimselftoconsiderwhetherhewishestoknowarichmanornot。Thechancesofmakingmoneydisreputablyaresogreatthatthechancesareagainstamanwhohasmademoneyifhe\'smadeagreatdealofit。\'\"
Marchlistenedwithafaceofironicalinsinuation。\"Thatwasverygood;
andheseemstohavehadagooddealofconfidenceinyourpatienceandinyoursenseofhisimportancetotheoccasion——\"
\"No,no,\"Fulkersonprotested,\"there\'snoneofthatkindofthingaboutthecolonel。Itoldhimtotaketimetothinkitover;he\'sthesimplest-heartedoldfellowintheworld。\"
\"Ishouldsayso。Afterall,hedidn\'tgiveanyreasonhehadforaccepting。Butperhapstheyoungladyhadthereason。\"
\"Pshaw,March!\"saidFulkerson。
VI。
SofarastheDryfoosfamilywasconcerned,thedinnermightaswellhavebeengivenatFrescobaldi\'srooms。Noneoftheladiesappeared。Mrs。
Dryfooswasgladtoescapetoherownchamber,whereshesatbeforeanautumnalfire,shakingherheadandtalkingtoherselfattimes,withtheforebodingofevilwhicholdwomenlikehermakepartoftheirreligion。
Thegirlsstoodjustoutofsightattheheadofthestairs,anddisputedwhichguestitwasateacharrival;Mrs。Mandelhadgonetoherroomtowriteletters,afterbeseechingthemnottostandthere。WhenKendrickscame,ChristinegaveMelaalittlepinch,equivalenttoalittlemockingshriek;for,onthegroundofhislongtalkwithMelaatMrs。Horn\'s,intheabsenceofanyotheradmirer,theybasedasuperstitionofhisinterestinher;whenBeatoncame,Melareturnedthepinch,butawkwardly,sothatithurt,andthenChristineinvoluntarilystruckher。
Frescobaldi\'smenwereinpossessioneverywheretheyhadturnedthecookoutofherkitchenandthewaitressoutofherpantry;thereluctantIrishmanatthedoorwassupplementedbyavividItalian,whospokeFrenchwiththeguests,andsaid,\"Bien,Monsieur,\"and\"toutesuite,\"
and\"Merci!\"toall,ashetooktheirhatsandcoats,andeffusedahospitalitythatneedednolanguagebutthegleamofhiseyesandteethandtheplayofhiseloquenthands。Fromhisprofessionaldress-coat,lustrouswiththegreasespottedonitatformerdinnersandparties,theypassedtothefrocksoftheelderandyoungerDryfoosinthedrawing-room,whichassumedinformalityfortheaffair,butdidnotputtheirwearerswhollyattheirease。Thefather\'scoatwasofblackbroadcloth,andheworeitunbuttoned;theskirtswerelong,andthesleevescamedowntohisknuckles;heshookhandswithhisguests,andthesamedrynessseemedtobeinhispalmandthroat,ashehuskilyaskedeachtotakeachair。Conrad\'scoatwasofmoderntextureandcut,andwasbuttonedabouthimasifitconcealedabadconsciencewithinitslapels;hemetMarchwithhisentreatingsmile,andheseemednomorecapableofcopingwiththesituationthanhisfather。TheybothwaitedforFulkerson,whowentaboutanddidhisbesttokeeplifeinthepartyduringthehalf-hourthatpassedbeforetheysatdownatdinner。Beatonstoodgloomilyaloof,asifwaitingtobeapproachedontherightbasisbeforeyieldinganinchofhisground;ColonelWoodburn,awaitingthemomentwhenhecouldsallyoutonhishobby,kepthimselfintrenchedwithinthedignityofagentleman,andexaminedaskancethefigureofoldLindauashestaredabouttheroom,withhisfineheadup,andhisemptysleevedanglingoverhiswrist。Marchfeltobligedtohimforwearinganewcoatinthemidstofthathostileluxury,andhewasgladtoseeDryfoosmakeuptohimandbegintotalkwithhim,asifhewishedtoshowhimparticularrespect,thoughitmighthavebeenbecausehewaslessafraidofhimthanoftheothers。HeheardLindausaying,\"Boat,thenameisChoarman?\"andDryfoosbeginningtoexplainhisPennsylvaniaDutchorigin,andhesufferedhimself,withasighofrelief,tofallintotalkwithKendricks,whowasalwayspleasant;hewaswillingtotalkaboutsomethingbesideshimself,andhadnoopinionsthathewasnotreadytoholdinabeyanceforthetimebeingoutofkindnesstoothers。
Inthatgroupofimpassionedindividualities,Marchfelthimarefugeandcomfort——withhisharmlessdilettanteintentionofsomedaywritinganovel,andhisbeliefthathewasmeantimecollectingmaterialforit。
Fulkerson,whilebreakingtheiceforthewholecompany,wasmainlyengagedinkeepingColonelWoodburnthawedout。HetookKendricksawayfromMarchandpresentedhimtothecolonelasapersonwho,likehimself,waslookingintosocialconditions;heputonehandonKendricks\'sshoulder,andoneonthecolonel\'s,andmadesomeflatteringjoke,apparentlyattheexpenseoftheyoungfellow,andthenleftthem。
MarchheardKendricksprotestinvain,andthecolonelsay,gravely:
\"Idonotwonder,sir,thatthesethingsinterestyou。Theyconstituteaproblemwhichsocietymustsolveorwhichwilldissolvesociety,\"andheknewfromthatformula,whichthecolonelhad,onceusedwithhim,thathewaslayingoutaroadfortheexhibitionofthehobby\'spaceslater。
FulkersoncamebacktoMarch,whohadturnedtowardConradDryfoos,andsaid,\"Ifwedon\'tgetthisthinggoingprettysoon,it\'llbethedeathofme,\"andjustthenFrescobaldi\'sbutlercameinandannouncedtoDryfoosthatdinnerwasserved。TheoldmanlookedtowardFulkersonwithatroubledglance,asifhedidnotknowwhattodo;hemadeagesturetotouchLindau\'selbow。Fulkersoncalledout,\"Here\'sColonelWoodburn,Mr。Dryfoos,\"asifDryfooswerelookingforhim;andhesettheexampleofwhathewastodobytakingLindau\'sarmhimself。\"Mr。Lindauisgoingtositatmyendofthetable,alongsideofMarch。Standnotupontheorderofyourgoing,gentlemen,butfallinatonce。\"HecontrivedtogetDryfoosandthecolonelbeforehim,andheletMarchfollowwithKendricks。ConradcamelastwithBeaton,whohadbeenturningoverthemusicatthepiano,andchafinginwardlyatthewholeaffair。AtthetableColonelWoodburnwasplacedonDryfoos\'sright,andMarchonhisleft。MarchsatonFulkerson\'sright,withLindaunexthim;andtheyoungmenoccupiedtheotherseats。
\"PutyounexttoMarch,Mr。Lindau,\"saidFulkerson,\"soyoucanbegintoputApollinarisinhischampagne-glassattherightmoment;youknowhislittleweaknessofold;sorrytosayit\'sgrownonhim。\"
MarchlaughedwithkindlyacquiescenceinFulkerson\'swishtostartthegayety,andLindaupattedhimontheshoulder。\"Iknowhissveakness。
Ifheligesaclassofvine,itissbegausehisloafingludesefenhissenemy,asShakespearegalledit。\"
\"Ah,butShakespearecouldn\'thavebeenthinkingofchampagne,\"saidKendricks。
\"Isuppose,sir,\"ColonelWoodburninterposed,withloftycourtesy,\"champagnecouldhardlyhavebeenknowninhisday。\"
\"Isupposenot,colonel,\"returnedtheyoungerman,deferentially。
\"Heseemedtothinkthatsackandsugarmightbeafault;buthedidn\'tmentionchampagne。\"
\"Perhapshefelttherewasnoquestionaboutthat,\"suggestedBeaton,whothenfeltthathehadnotdonehimselfjusticeinthesally。
\"Iwonderjustwhenchampagnedidcomein,\"saidMarch。
\"Iknowwhenitoughttocomein,\"saidFulkerson。\"Beforethesoup!\"
Theyalllaughed,andgavethemselvestheairofdrinkingchampagneoutoftumblerseveryday,asmenliketodo。Dryfooslisteneduneasily;hedidnotquiteunderstandtheallusions,thoughheknewwhatShakespearewas,wellenough;Conrad\'sfaceexpressedagentledeprecationofjokingonsuchasubject,buthesaidnothing。
Thetalkranonbrisklythroughthedinner。Theyoungmentossedtheballbackandforth;theymadesomewildshots,buttheykeptitgoing,andtheylaughedwhentheywerehit。ThewineloosedColonelWoodburn\'stongue;hebecameverycompanionablewiththeyoungfellows;withthefeelingthataliterarydinneroughttohaveadidacticscope,hepraisedScottandAddisonastheonlyauthorsfittoformthemindsofgentlemen。
Kendricksagreedwithhim,butwishedtoaddthenameofFlaubertasamasterofstyle。\"Style,youknow,\"headded,\"istheman。\"
\"Verytrue,sir;youarequiteright,sir,\"thecolonelassented;hewonderedwhoFlaubertwas。
BeatonpraisedBaudelaireandMaupassant;hesaidthesewerethemasters。
HerecitedsomeluridversesfromBaudelaire;Lindaupronouncedthemadisgracetohumannature,andgaveapassagefromVictorHugoonLouisNapoleon,withhisheavyGermanaccent,andthenhequotedSchiller。
\"Ach,boatthatisapeaudifool!Notzo?\"hedemandedofMarch。
\"Yes,beautiful;but,ofcourse,youknowIthinkthere\'snobodylikeHeine!\"
Lindauthrewbackhisgreatoldheadandlaughed,showingawantofteethunderhismustache。HeputhishandonMarch\'sback。\"Thispoy——hewasapoyden——warssogracytopekinreadingHeinethathegommencewiththetictionarybevoreheknowsanyGrammar,andvebickitoutvortbyvorttogeder。\"
\"Hewasaprettycaypoyinthosedays,heigh,Lindau?\"askedFulkerson,burlesquingtheoldman\'saccent,withanimpudentwinkthatmadeLindauhimselflaugh。\"Butinthedarkages,Imean,thereinIndianapolis。Justhowlongagodidyouoldcodgersmeetthere,anyway?\"
FulkersonsawtherestivenessinDryfoos\'seyeatthepurelyliterarycoursethetalkhadtaken;hehadintendedittoleadupthatwaytobusiness,to\'EveryOtherWeek;\'buthesawthatitwasleavingDryfoostoofarout,andhewishedtogetitonthepersonalground,whereeverybodyisathome。
\"Ledtmezee,\"musedLindau。\"Wassitinfifty-nineorzixty,Passil?
Idtwassayearordwopeforethewarprokeoudt,anyway。\"
\"Thosewereexcitingtimes,\"saidDryfoos,makinghisfirstentryintothegeneraltalk。\"IwentdowntoIndianapoliswiththefirstcompanyfromourplace,andIsawthered-shirtspouringineverywhere。Theyhadasong,\"Oh,nevermindtheweather,butgitoverdoubletrouble,Forwe\'reboundforthelandofCanaan。\"
Thefellowslockedarmsandwentsingin\'itupanddownfourorfiveabreastinthemoonlight;crowdedeverybody\'elseoffthesidewalk。\"
\"Iremember,Iremember,\"saidLindau,noddinghisheadslowlyupanddown。\"AcoodtmanyoffthemnefergomepackfromthatlandtofGanaan,Mr。Dryfoos?\"
\"You\'reright,Mr。Lindau。ButIreckonitwasworthit——thecountrywe\'vegotnow。Here,youngman!\"Hecaughtthearmofthewaiterwhowasgoingroundwiththechampagnebottle。\"FillupMr。Lindau\'sglass,there。Iwanttodrinkthehealthofthoseoldtimeswithhim。Here\'stoyouremptysleeve,Mr。Lindau。Godblessit!Nooffencetoyou,ColonelWoodburn,\"saidDryfoos,turningtohimbeforehedrank。
\"Notatall,sir,notatall,\"saidthecolonel。\"Iwilldrinkwithyou,ifyouwillpermitme。\"
\"We\'llalldrink-standing!\"criedFulkerson。\"HelpMarchtogetup,somebody!FillhighthebowlwithSamianApollinarisforCoonrod!Now,then,hurrahforLindau!\"
Theycheered,andhammeredonthetablewiththebuttsoftheirknife-
handles。Lindauremainedseated。Thetearscameintohiseyes;hesaid,\"Ithankyou,chendlemen,\"andhiccoughed。
\"I\'d\'a\'wentintothewarmyself,\"saidDryfoos,\"butIwasraisin\'
afamilyofyoungchildren,andIdidn\'tseehowIcouldleavemyfarm。
ButIhelpedtofillupthequotaateverycall,andwhenthevolunteeringstoppedIwentroundwiththesubscriptionpapermyself;
andweofferedasgoodbountiesasanyintheState。Mysubstitutewaskilledinoneofthelastskirmishes——infact,afterLee\'ssurrender——
andI\'vetookcareofhisfamily,moreorless,eversince。\"
\"By-the-way,March,\"saidFulkerson,\"whatsortofanideawoulditbetohaveagoodwarstory——mightbeaserial——inthemagazine?Thewarhasneverfullypannedoutinfictionyet。Itwasusedagooddealjustafteritwasover,andthenitwasdropped。Ithinkit\'stimetotakeitupagain。Ibelieveitwouldbeacard。\"
ItwasrunninginMarch\'smindthatDryfooshadanoldranklingshameinhisheartfornothavinggoneintothewar,andthathehadoftenmadethatexplanationofhiscoursewithouthavingeverbeensatisfiedwithit。Hefeltsorryforhim;thefactseemedpathetic;itsuggestedadormantnoblenessintheman。
BeatonwassayingtoFulkerson:\"Youmightgetaseriesofsketchesbysubstitutes;thesubstituteshaven\'tbeenmuchheardfrominthewarliterature。Howwould\'TheAutobiographyofaSubstitute\'do?Youmightfollowhimuptothemomenthewaskilledintheotherman\'splace,andinquirewhetherhehadanyrighttothefeelingsofaherowhenhewasonlyhiredintheplaceofone。Mightcallit\'TheCareerofaDeputyHero。\'\"
\"Ifancy,\"saidMarch,\"thattherewasagreatdealofmixedmotiveinthemenwhowentintothewaraswellasinthosewhokeptoutofit。
Wecanonizedallthatdiedorsufferedinit,butsomeofthemmusthavebeenself-seekingandlow-minded,likemeninothervocations。\"HefoundhimselfsayingthisinDryfoos\'sbehalf;theoldmanlookedathimgratefullyatfirst,hethought,andthensuspiciously。
Lindauturnedhisheadtowardhimandsaid:\"Youarerighdt,Passil;youarerighdt。Ihafzeenonthefieldtofpattlethevoarsteggsipitionsofhumanpaseness——chelousy,fanity,ecodisticbridte。Ihafzeenmeninthefaceoffdeathitselfgoffernedbymotifesaslowas——aspusinessmotifes。\"
\"Well,\"saidFulkerson,。\"itwouldbeagrandthingfor\'EveryOtherWeek\'
ifwecouldgetsomeofthoseideasworkedupintoaseries。Itwouldmakealotoftalk。\"
ColonelWoodburnignoredhiminsaying,\"Ithink,MajorLindau——\"
\"Highbrifate;prefetgorporal,\"theoldmaninterrupted,inrejectionofthetitle。
Hendrickslaughedandsaid,withaglanceofappreciationatLindau,\"Brevetcorporalisgood。\"
ColonelWoodburnfrownedalittle,andpassedoverthejoke。\"IthinkMr。Lindauisright。Suchexhibitionswerecommontobothsides,thoughifyougentlemenwillpardonmeforsayingso,Ithinktheywerelessfrequentonours。Wewerefightingmoreimmediatelyforexistence。
Wewerefewerthanyouwere,andweknewit;wefeltmoreintenselythatifeachwerenotforall,thennonewasforany。\"
Thecolonel\'swordsmadetheirimpression。Dryfoossaid,withauthority,\"Thatisso。\"
\"ColonelWoodburn,\"Fulkersoncalledout,\"ifyou\'llworkupthoseideasintoashortpaper——say,threethousandwords——I\'llengagetomakeMarchtakeit。\"
Thecolonelwentonwithoutreplying:\"ButMr。Lindauisrightincharacterizingsomeofthemotivesthatledmentothecannon\'smouthasnohigherthanbusinessmotives,andhiscomparisonisthemostforciblethathecouldhaveused。Iwasverymuchstruckbyit。\"
Thehobbywasout,thecolonelwasinthesaddlewithsofirmaseatthatnoeffortsufficedtodislodgehim。Thedinnerwentonfromcoursetocoursewithbarbaricprofusion,andfromtimetotimeFulkersontriedtobringthetalkbackto\'EveryOtherWeek。\'Butperhapsbecausethatwasonlytheostensibleandnottherealobjectofthedinner,whichwastobringanumberofmentogetherunderDryfoos\'sroof,andmakethemthewitnessesofhissplendor,makethemfeelthepowerofhiswealth,Fulkerson\'sattemptsfailed。Thecolonelshowedhowcommercialismwasthepoisonattheheartofournationallife;howwebeganasasimple,agriculturalpeople,whohadfledtotheseshoreswiththeinstinct,divinelyimplanted,ofbuildingastatesuchasthesunnevershoneuponbefore;howwehadconqueredthewildernessandthesavage;howwehadflungoff,inourstrugglewiththemother-country,thetrammelsoftraditionandprecedent,andhadsettleddown,afreenation,tothepracticeoftheartsofpeace;howthespiritofcommercialismhadstoleninsidiouslyuponus,andtheinfernalimpulseofcompetitionhadembroiledusinaperpetualwarfareofinterests,developingtheworstpassionsofournature,andteachingustotrickandbetrayanddestroyoneanotherinthestrifeformoney,tillnowthatimpulsehadexhausteditself,andwefoundcompetitiongoneandthewholeeconomicprobleminthehandsofmonopolies——theStandardOilCompany,theSugarTrust,theRubberTrust,andwhatnot。Andnowwhatwasthenextthing?Affairscouldnotremainastheywere;itwasimpossible;andwhatwasthenextthing?\"
Thecompanylistenedforthemainpartsilently。Dryfoostriedtograsptheideaofcommercialismasthecolonelseemedtoholdit;heconceivedofitassomethinglikethedry-goodsbusinessonavastscale,andheknewhehadneverbeeninthat。Hedidnotliketohearcompetitioncalledinfernal;hehadalwayssupposeditwassomethingsacred;butheapprovedofwhatColonelWoodburnsaidoftheStandardOilCompany;itwasalltrue;theStandardOilhassqueezedDryfoosonce,andmadehimsellitalotofoil-wellsbyputtingdownthepriceofoilsolowinthatregionthathelostmoneyoneverybarrelhepumped。
Alltherestlistenedsilently,exceptLindau;ateverypointthecolonelmadeagainstthepresentconditionofthingshesaidmoreandmorefiercely,\"Youarerighdt,youarerighdt。\"Hiseyesglowed,hishandplayedwithhisknife-hilt。Whenthecoloneldemanded,\"Andwhatisthenextthing?\"hethrewhimselfforward,andrepeated:\"Yes,sir!Whatisthenextthing?\"
\"Naturalgas,bythunder!\"shoutedFulkerson。
OneofthewaitershadprofitedbyLindau\'sposturetoleanoverhimandputdowninthemiddleofthetableastructureinwhitesugar。ItexpressedFrescobaldi\'sconceptionofaderrick,andatouchofnaturehadbeenaddedintheflameofbrandy,whichburnedluridlyupfromasmallpitinthecentreofthebase,andrepresentedthegasincombustionasitissuedfromtheground。FulkersonburstintoaroaroflaughterwiththewordsthatrecognizedFrescobaldi\'spersonaltributetoDryfoos。Everybodyroseandpeeredoveratthething,whileheexplainedtheworkofsinkingagas-well,ashehadalreadyexplainedittoFrescobaldi。Inthemidstofhislecturehecaughtsightofthecatererhimself,wherehestoodinthepantrydoorway,smilingwithanartist\'sanxietyfortheeffectofhismasterpiece。
\"Comein,comein,Frescobaldi!Wewanttocongratulateyou,\"Fulkersoncalledtohim。\"Here,gentlemen!Here\'sFrescobaldi\'shealth。\"
Theyalldrank;andFrescobaldi,smilingbrilliantlyandrubbinghishandsashebowedrightandleft,permittedhimselftosaytoDryfoos:
\"Youareplease;no?Youlike?\"
\"First-rate,first-rate!\"saidtheoldman;butwhentheItalianhadbowedhimselfoutandhisguestshadsunkintotheirseatsagain,hesaiddrylytoFulkerson,\"Ireckontheydidn\'thavetotorpedothatwell,orthederrickwouldn\'tlookquitesoniceandclean。\"
\"Yes,\"Fulkersonanswered,\"andthatain\'tquitethestyle——thatlittlewiggly-wagglyblueflame——thatthegasactswhenyoutouchoffagoodveinofit。Thismightdoforweakgas\";andhewentontoexplain:
\"Theycallitweakgaswhentheytapittwoorthreehundredfeetdown;
andanybodycansinkawellinhisbackyardandgetenoughgastolightandheathishouse。Irememberonefellowthathaditblazingupfromapipethroughaflower-bed,justlikeajetofwaterfromafountain。
My,my,my!Youfel——yougentlemen——oughttogooutandseethatcountry,allofyou。Wishwecouldtorpedothiswell,Mr。Dryfoos,andlet\'emseehowitworks!Mindthatoneyoutorpedoedforme?Youknow,whentheysinkawell,\"hewentontothecompany,\"theycan\'talwaysmostgenerallysometimestellwhetherthey\'regoin\'togetgasoroilorsaltwater。Why,whentheyfirstbegantoboreforsaltwateroutontheKanawha,backaboutthebeginningofthecentury,theyusedtogetgasnowandthen,andthentheyconsidereditafailure;theycalledagas-
wellablower,andgiveitupindisgust;thetimewasn\'tripeforgasyet。Nowtheyboreawaysometimestilltheygethalf-waytoChina,anddon\'tseemtostrikeanythingworthspeakingof。Thentheyputadynamitetorpedodowninthewellandexplodeit。TheyhavealittlebarofironthattheycallaGo-devil,andtheyjustdropitdownonthebusinessendofthetorpedo,andthenstandfromunder,ifyouplease!
Youhearanoise,andinabouthalfaminuteyoubegintoseeone,anditbeginstorainoilandmudandsaltwaterandrocksandpitchforksandadoptivecitizens;andwhenitclearsupthederrick\'spainted——gotacoatonthat\'llwearinanyclimate。That\'swhatourhonoredhostmeant。Generallygetsomevisitinglady,whenthere\'soneround,todroptheGo-devil。ButthatdaywehadtoputupwithConradhere。Theyofferedtoletmedropit,butIdeclined。Itold\'emIhadn\'tmuchpracticewithGo-devilsinthenewspapersyndicatebusiness,andIwasn\'tverywellmyself,anyway。Astonishing,\"Fulkersoncontinued,withtheairofrelievinghisexplanationbyananecdote,\"howrecklesstheygetusingdynamitewhenthey\'retorpedoingwells。Westoppedatoneplacewhereafellowwashandlingthecartridgesprettyfreely,andMr。Dryfooshappenedtocautionhimalittle,andthatasscameupwithoneof\'eminhishand,andbegantopounditonthebuggy-wheeltoshowushowsafeitwas。Iturnedgreen,Iwassoscared;butMr。Dryfooskepthiscolor,andkindofcoaxedthefellowtillhequit。Youcouldseehewasthefoolkind,thatifyoutriedtostophimhe\'dkeeponhammeringthatcartridge,justtoshowthatitwouldn\'texplode,tillheblewyouintoKingdomCome。Whenwegothimtogoaway,Mr。Dryfoosdroveuptohisforeman。\'PaySheneyoff,anddischargehimonthespot,\'sayshe。
\'He\'stoosafeamantohaveround;heknowstoomuchaboutdynamite。\'
Ineversawanybodysocool。\"
DryfoosmodestlydroppedhisheadunderFulkerson\'sflatteryand,withoutliftingit,turnedhiseyestowardColonelWoodburn。\"Ihadallsortsofmentodealwithindevelopingmypropertyoutthere,butIhadverylittletroublewiththem,generallyspeaking。\"
\"Ah,ah!youfoundtthelaboring-manreasonable——dractable——tocile?\"
Lindauputin。
\"Yes,generallyspeaking,\"Dryfoosanswered。\"Theymostlyknewwhichsideoftheirbreadwasbuttered。Ididhaveonelittledifficultyatonetime。IthappenedtobewhenMr。Fulkersonwasoutthere。Someofthementriedtoformaunion——\"
\"No,no!\"criedFulkerson。\"Letmetellthat!Iknowyouwouldn\'tdoyourselfjustice,Mr。Dryfoos,andIwant\'emtoknowhowastrikecanbemanaged,ifyoutakeitintime。Yousee,someofthosefellowsgotanotionthatthereoughttobeaunionamongtheworking-mentokeepupwages,anddictatetotheemployers,andMr。Dryfoos\'sforemanwastheringleaderinthebusiness。Theyunderstoodprettywellthatassoonashefounditoutthatforemanwouldwalktheplank,andsotheywatchedouttilltheythoughttheyhadMr。Dryfoosjustwheretheywantedhim——
everythingonthekeenjump,andeverymanworthhisweightindiamonds——andthentheycametohim,and——toldhimtosignapromisetokeepthatforemantotheendoftheseason,ortillhewasthroughwiththeworkontheDryfoosandHendryAddition,underpenaltyofhavingthemallknockoff。Mr。Dryfoossmelledamouse,buthecouldn\'ttellwherethemousewas;hesawthattheydidhavehim,andhesigned,ofcourse。Therewasn\'tanythingreallyagainstthefellow,anyway;hewasafirst-rateman,andhedidhisdutyeverytime;onlyhe\'dgotsomeofthoseideasintohishead,andtheyturnedit。Mr。Dryfoossigned,andthenhelaidlow。\"
MarchsawLindaulisteningwithamountingintensity,andheardhimmurmurinGerman,\"Shameful!shameful!\"
Fulkersonwenton:\"Well,itwasn\'tlongbeforetheybegantoshowtheirhand,butMr。Dryfooskeptdark。Heagreedtoeverything;thereneverwassuchanobligingcapitalistbefore;therewasn\'tathingtheyaskedofhimthathedidn\'tdo,withthegreatestofpleasure,andallwentmerryasamarriage-belltillonemorningawholegangoffreshmenmarchedintotheDryfoosandHendryAddition,undertheescortofadozenPinkertonswithrepeatingriflesathalf-cock,andaboutfiftyfellowsfoundthemselvesoutofajob。Youneversawsuchamadset。\"
\"Prettyneat,\"saidKendricks,wholookedattheaffairpurelyfromanaestheticpointofview。\"Suchacoupasthatwouldtelltremendouslyinaplay。\"
\"Thatwasviletreason,\"saidLindauinGermantoMarch。\"He\'saninfamoustraitor!Icannotstayhere。Imustgo。\"
Hestruggledtorise,whileMarchheldhimbythecoat,andimploredhimunderhisvoice:\"ForHeaven\'ssake,don\'t,Lindau!Youoweittoyourselfnottomakeascene,ifyoucomehere。\"Somethinginitallaffectedhimcomically;hecouldnothelplaughing。
Theotherswerediscussingthematter,andseemednottohavenoticedLindau,whocontrolledhimselfandsighed:\"Youareright。Imusthavepatience。\"
BeatonwassayingtoDryfoos,\"PityyourPinkertonscouldn\'thavegiventhemafewshotsbeforetheyleft。\"
\"No,thatwasn\'tnecessary,\"saidDryfoos。\"Isucceededinbreakinguptheunion。Ienteredintoanagreementwithotherpartiesnottoemployanymanwhowouldnotswearthathewasnon-union。Iftheyhadattemptedviolence,ofcoursetheycouldhavebeenshot。Buttherewasnofearofthat。Thosefellowscanalwaysbedependedupontocutoneanother\'sthroatsinthelongrun。\"
\"Butsometimes,\"saidColonelWoodburn,whohadbeenwatchingthroughout。
forachancetomounthishobbyagain,\"theymakeagooddealoftroublefirst。Howwasitinthegreatrailroadstrikeof\'77?\"
\"Well,Iguesstherewasalittletroublethattime,colonel,\"saidFulkerson。\"Butthementhatundertaketooverridethelawsandparalyzetheindustriesofacountrylikethisgenerallygetleftintheend。\"
\"Yes,sir,generally;anduptoacertainpoint,always。Butit\'stheexceptionalthatisapttohappen,aswellastheunexpected。Andalittlereflectionwillconvinceanygentlemanherethatthereisalwaysadangeroftheexceptionalinyoursystem。Thefactis,thosefellowshavethegameintheirownhandsalready。AstrikeofthewholebodyoftheBrotherhoodofEngineersalonewouldstarveouttheentireAtlanticseaboardinaweek;laborinsurrectioncouldmakeheadatadozengivenpoints,andyourgovernmentcouldn\'tmoveamanovertheroadswithoutthehelpoftheengineers。\"
\"Thatisso,\"saidKendrick,struckbythedramaticcharacteroftheconjecture。Heimaginedafictiondealingwiththesituationassomethingalreadyaccomplished。
\"Whydon\'tsomefellowdotheBattleofDorkingactwiththatthing?\"
saidFulkerson。\"Itwouldbeacard。\"
\"ExactlywhatIwasthinking,Mr。Fulkerson,\"saidKendricks。
Fulkersonlaughed。\"Telepathy——clearcaseofmindtransference。BetterseeMarch,here,aboutit。I\'dliketohaveitin\'EveryOtherWeek。\'
Itwouldmaketalk。\"
\"Perhapsitmightsetyourpeopletothinkingaswellastalking,\"saidthecolonel。
\"Well,sir,\"saidDryfoos,settinghislipssotightlytogetherthathisimperialstuckstraightoutward,\"ifIhadmyway,therewouldn\'tbeanyBrotherhoodofEngineers,noranyotherkindoflaborunioninthewholecountry。\"
\"What!\"shoutedLindau。\"Youwouldsobbresstheunionssofthevoarking-
men?\"
\"Yes,Iwould。\"
\"Andwhatwouldyoudowiththeunionssofthegabidalists——thedrosts——
andgompines,andboolss?Wouldyoudaketherighdtfromoneandgifittotheodder?\"
\"Yes,sir,Iwould,\"saidDryfoos,withawickedlookathim。
Lindauwasabouttoroarbackathimwithsomefuriousprotest,butMarchputhishandonhisshoulderimploringly,andLindauturnedtohimtosayinGerman:\"Butitisinfamous——infamous!Whatkindofmanisthis?Whoishe?Hehastheheartofatyrant。\"
ColonelWoodburncutin。\"Youcouldn\'tdothat,Mr。Dryfoos,underyoursystem。Andifyouattemptedit,withyourconspiracylaws,andthatkindofthing,itmightbringtheclimaxsoonerthanyouexpected。Yourcommercializedsocietyhasbuiltitshouseonthesands。Itwillhavetogo。ButIshouldbesorryifitwentbeforeitstime。\"
\"Youarerighdt,sir,\"saidLindau。\"Itwouldbeabity。Ihobeitwilllasttillitfeelssitsrottenness,likeHerodt。Boat,whenitshourgomes,whenittropetobieceswiththeveightoffitsowngorrubtion——
whatthen?\"
\"It\'snottobesupposedthatasystemofthingslikethiscandroptopiecesofitsownaccord,liketheoldRepublicofVenice,\"saidthecolonel。\"Butwhenthelastvestigeofcommercialsocietyisgone,thenwecanbegintobuildanew;andweshallbuilduponthecentralidea,notofthefalselibertyyounowworship,butofresponsibility——
responsibility。Theenlightened,themoneyed,thecultivatedclassshallberesponsibletothecentralauthority——emperor,duke,president;thenamedoesnotmatter——forthenationalexpenseandthenationaldefence,anditshallberesponsibletotheworking-classesofallkindsforhomesandlandsandimplements,andtheopportunitytolaboratalltimes。
Theworking-classesshallberesponsibletotheleisureclassforthesupportofitsdignityinpeace,andshallbesubjecttoitscommandinwar。Therichshallwarrantthepooragainstplanlessproductionandtheruinthatnowfollows,againstdangerfromwithoutandfaminefromwithin,andthepoor——\"
\"No,no,no!\"shoutedLindau。\"TheStateshalldothat——thewholebeople。Themenwhovoarkshallhaveandshalleat;andthementhatwillnotvoark,theyshallsdarfe。Butnomanneedsdarfe。HewillgototheState,andtheStatewillseethathehafvoark,andthathehaffoodt。Alltheroadtsandmillsandminesandlandtsshallbethebeople\'sandberonbythebeopleforthebeople。Thereshallbenorichandnoboor;andthereshallnotbewaranymore,forwhatbowerwouldtdaretoaddackabeopleboundtogederinabroderhoodlikethat?\"
\"Lionandlambact,\"saidFulkerson,notwellknowing,aftersomuchchampagne,whatwordshewasusing。
Noonenoticedhim,andColonelWoodburnsaidcoldlytoLindau,\"Youaretalkingpaternalism,sir。\"
\"Andyouaredalkingfeutalism!\"retortedtheoldman。
Thecoloneldidnotreply。Asilenceensued,whichnoonebroketillFulkersonsaid:\"Well,now,lookhere。Ifeitheroneofthesemillenniumswasbroughtabout,byforceofarms,orotherwise,whatwouldbecomeof\'EveryOtherWeek\'?WhowouldwantMarchforaneditor?HowwouldBeatonsellhispictures?WhowouldprintMr。Kendricks\'slittlesocietyversesandshortstories?WhatwouldbecomeofConradandhisgoodworks?\"ThosenamedgrinnedinsupportofFulkerson\'sdiversion,butLindauandthecoloneldidnotspeak;Dryfooslookeddownathisplate,frowning。
Awaitercameroundwithcigars,andFulkersontookone。\"Ah,\"hesaid,ashebitofftheend,andleanedovertotheemblematicmasterpiece,wherethebrandywasstillfeeblyflickering,\"Iwonderifthere\'senoughnaturalgaslefttolightmycigar。\"Hiseffortputtheflameoutandknockedthederrickover;itbrokeinfragmentsonthetable。Fulkersoncackledovertheruin:\"IwonderifallMoffittwilllookthatwayafterlaborandcapitalhavefoughtitouttogether。Ihopethisain\'tominousofanythingpersonal,Dryfoos?\"
\"I\'lltaketheriskofit,\"saidtheoldman,harshly。
Herosemechanically,andFulkersonsaidtoFrescobaldi\'sman,\"Youcanbringusthecoffeeinthelibrary。\"
Thetalkdidnotrecoveritselfthere。Landauwouldnotsitdown;herefusedcoffee,anddismissedhimselfwithahaughtybowtothecompany;
ColonelWoodburnshookhandselaboratelyallround,whenhehadsmokedhiscigar;theothersfollowedhim。ItseemedtoMarchthathisowngood-nightfromDryfooswasdryandcold。
VII。
MarchmetFulkersononthestepsoftheofficenextmorning,whenhearrivedratherlaterthanhiswont。Fulkersondidnotshowanyofthesignsofsufferingfromthelastnight\'spleasurewhichpaintedthemselvesinMarch\'sface。Heflirtedhishandgaylyintheair,andsaid,\"How\'syourpoorhead?\"andbrokeintoaknowinglaugh。
\"Youdon\'tseemtohavegotupwiththelarkthismorning。TheoldgentlemanisintherewithConrad,asbrightasabiscuit;he\'sbeatyoudown。Well,wedidhaveagoodtime,didn\'twe?AndoldLindauandthecolonel,didn\'ttheyhaveagoodtime?Idon\'tsupposetheyeverhadachancebeforetogivetheirtheoriesquitesomuchair。Oh,my!howtheydidrideoverus!I\'mjustgoingdowntoseeBeatonaboutthecoveroftheChristmasnumber。Ithinkweoughttotryitinthreeorfourcolors,ifwearegoingtoobservethedayatall。\"HewasoffbeforeMarchcouldpullhimselftogethertoaskwhatDryfooswantedattheofficeatthathourofthemorning;healwayscameintheafternoononhiswayup-town。
ThefactofhispresencerenewedthesinistermisgivingswithwhichMarchhadpartedfromhimthenightbefore,butFulkerson\'scheerfulnessseemedtogainsaythem;afterwardMarchdidnotknowwhethertoattributethismoodtotheslipperinessthathewasawareofattimesinFulkerson,ortoacynicalamusementhemighthavefeltatleavinghimalonetotheoldman,whomountedtohisroomshortlyafterMarchhadreachedit。
Asortofdumbangershoweditselfinhisface;hisjawwassetsofirmlythathedidnotseemableatoncetoopenit。Heasked,withouttheceremoniesofgreeting,\"Whatdoesthatone-armedDutchmandoonthisbook?\"
\"Whatdoeshedo?\"Marchechoed,aspeopleareapttodowithaquestionthatismandatoryandoffensive。
\"Yes,sir,whatdoeshedo?Doeshewriteforit?\"
\"IsupposeyoumeanLindau,\"saidMarch。HesawnoreasonforrefusingtoanswerDryfoos\'sdemand,andhedecidedtoignoreitsterms。\"No,hedoesn\'twriteforitintheusualway。Hetranslatesforit;
heexaminestheforeignmagazines,anddrawsmyattentiontoanythinghethinksofinterest。ButItoldyouaboutthisbefore——\"
\"Iknowwhatyoutoldme,wellenough。AndIknowwhatheis。Heisared-mouthedlaboragitator。He\'soneofthoseforeignersthatcomeherefromplaceswherethey\'veneverhadadecentmeal\'svictualsintheirlives,andassoonastheygettheirstomachsfull,theybegintomaketroublebetweenourpeopleandtheirhands。There\'swherethestrikescomefrom,andtheunionsandthesecretsocieties。TheycomehereandbreakourSabbath,andteachtheiratheism。Theyoughttobehung!
Let\'emgobackiftheydon\'tlikeitoverhere。Theywanttoruinthecountry。\"
Marchcouldnothelpsmilingalittleatthewords,whichcamefastenoughnowinthehoarsestaccatoofDryfoos\'spassion。\"Idon\'tknowwhomyoumeanbythey,generallyspeaking;butIhadtheimpressionthatpooroldLindauhadoncedonehisbesttosavethecountry。Idon\'talwayslikehiswayoftalking,butIknowthatheisoneofthetruestandkindestsoulsintheworld;andheisnomoreanatheistthanIam。
Heismyfriend,andIcan\'tallowhimtobemisunderstood。\"
\"Idon\'tcarewhatheis,\"Dryfoosbrokeout,\"Iwon\'thavehimround。
Hecan\'thaveanymoreworkfromthisoffice。Iwantyoutostopit。
Iwantyoutoturnhimoff。\"
Marchwasstandingathisdesk,ashehadrisentoreceiveDryfooswhenheentered。Henowsatdown,andbegantoopenhisletters。
\"Doyouhear?\"theoldmanroaredathim。\"Iwantyoutoturnhimoff。\"
\"Excuseme,Mr。Dryfoos,\"saidMarch,succeedinginanefforttospeakcalmly,\"Idon\'tknowyou,insuchamatterasthis。Myarrangementsaseditorof\'EveryOtherWeek\'weremadewithMr。Fulkerson。Ihavealwayslistenedtoanysuggestionhehashadtomake。\"
\"Idon\'tcareforMr。Fulkerson?Hehasnothingtodowithit,\"retortedDryfoos;butheseemedalittledauntedbyMarch\'sposition。
\"HehaseverythingtodowithitasfarasIamconcerned,\"Marchanswered,withasteadinessthathedidnotfeel。\"Iknowthatyouaretheowneroftheperiodical,butIcan\'treceiveanysuggestionfromyou,forthereasonthatIhavegiven。NobodybutMr。Fulkersonhasanyrighttotalkwithmeaboutitsmanagement。\"
Dryfoosglaredathimforamoment,anddemanded,threateningly:\"Thenyousayyouwon\'tturnthatoldloaferoff?YousaythatIhavegottokeeponpayingmymoneyouttobuybeerforamanthatwouldcutmythroatifhegotthechance?\"
\"Isaynothingatall,Mr。Dryfoos,\"Marchanswered。Thebloodcameintohisface,andheadded:\"ButIwillsaythatifyouspeakagainofMr。
Lindauinthoseterms,oneofusmustleavethisroom。Iwillnothearyou。\"
Dryfooslookedathimwithastonishment;thenhestruckhishatdownonhishead,andstampedoutoftheroomanddownthestairs;andavaguepitycameintoMarch\'sheartthatwasnotaltogetherforhimself。
Hemightbethegreatersuffererintheend,buthewassorrytohavegotthebetterofthatoldmanforthemoment;andhefeltashamedoftheangerintowhichDryfoos\'sangerhadsurprisedhim。HeknewhecouldnotsaytoomuchindefenceofLindau\'sgenerosityandunselfishness,andhehadnotattemptedtodefendhimasapoliticaleconomist。HecouldnothavetakenanygroundinrelationtoDryfoosbutthatwhichheheld,andhefeltsatisfiedthathewasrightinrefusingtoreceiveinstructionsorcommandsfromhim。Yetsomehowhewasnotsatisfiedwiththewholeaffair,andnotmerelybecausehispresenttriumphthreatenedhisfinaladvantage,butbecausehefeltthatinhisheathehadhardlydonejusticetoDryfoos\'srightsinthematter;itdidnotquiteconsolehimtoreflectthatDryfooshadhimselfmadeitimpossible。Hewastemptedtogohomeandtellhiswifewhathadhappened,andbeginhispreparationsforthefutureatonce。Butheresistedthisweaknessandkeptmechanicallyabouthiswork,openingthelettersandthemanuscriptsbeforehimwiththatcuriousdoubleactionofthemindcommoninmenofvividimaginations。ItwasareliefwhenConradDryfoos,havingapparentlywaitedtomakesurethathisfatherwouldnotreturn,cameupfromthecounting-roomandlookedinonMarchwithatroubledface。
\"Mr。March,\"hebegan,\"Ihopefatherhasn\'tbeensayinganythingtoyouthatyoucan\'toverlook。Iknowhewasverymuchexcited,andwhenheisexcitedheisapttosaythingsthatheissorryfor。\"
TheapologeticattitudetakenforDryfoos,sodifferentfromanyattitudetheperemptoryoldmanwouldhaveconceivablytakenforhimself,madeMarchsmile。\"Ohno。Ifancythebootisontheotherleg。IsuspectI\'vesaidsomethingsyourfathercan\'toverlook,Conrad。\"HecalledtheyoungmanbyhisChristiannamepartlytodistinguishhimfromhisfather,partlyfromtheinfectionofFulkerson\'shabit,andpartlyfromakindnessforhimthatseemednaturallytoexpressitselfinthatway。