Horn\'s;butshedidherbestwithhimastheonlyflirtablematerialwhichhadyetcometoherhand。Itwouldhavebeenheridealtohavetheyoungmenstaytillpastmidnight,andherfathercomedown-stairsinhisstocking-feetandtellthemitwastimetogo。Buttheymadeavisitofdecorousbrevity,andKendricksdidnotcomeagain。Shemethimafterward,once,asshewascrossingthepavementinUnionSquaretogetintohercoupe,andmadethemostofhim;butitwasnecessarilyverylittle,andsohepassedoutofherlifewithouthavingleftanytraceinherheart,thoughMelahadaheartthatshewouldhaveputatthedispositionofalmostanyyoungmanthatwantedit。Kendrickshimself,Manhattancockneyashewas,withscarcelymoreoutlookintotheaverageAmericannaturethanifhehadbeenkeptaprisonerinNewYorksocietyallhisdays,perceivedapropertyinherwhichforbadehimasamanofconsciencetotriflewithher;somethingearthlygoodandkind,ifitwassimpleandvulgar。Inrevisinghisimpressionsofher,itseemedtohimthatshewouldcomeeventobetterliteraryeffectifthiswererecognizedinher;anditmadehersacred,inspiteofherwillingnesstofoolandtobefooled,inhermerelyhumanquality。Afterall,hesawthatshewishedhonestlytoloveandtobeloved,andtheluresshethrewouttothatendseemedtohimpatheticratherthanridiculous;hecouldnotjoinBeatoninlaughingather;andhedidnotlikeBeaton\'slaughingattheothergirl,either。ItseemedtoKendricks,withthecodeofhonorwhichhemostlykepttohimselfbecausehewasalittleashamedtofindthereweresofewotherslikeit,thatifBeatoncarednothingfortheothergirl——andChristineappearedsimplydetestabletoKendricks——
hehadbetterkeepawayfromher,andnotgivehertheimpressionhewasinlovewithher。Heratherfanciedthatthiswasthepartofagentleman,andhecouldnothavepenetratedtothataestheticandmoralcomplexitywhichformedtheconsciousnessofanaturelikeBeaton\'sandwaschieflyatormenttoitself;hecouldnothaveconceivedofthewaywardimpulsesindulgedateverymomentinlittlethingstillthestraighthighwaywastraversedandwell-nighlostundertheirtangle。
Todowhateveronelikesisfinallytodonothingthatonelikes,eventhoughonecontinuestodowhatonewill;butKendricks,thoughasageoftwenty-seven,wasstilltooyoungtounderstandthis。
Beatonscarcelyunderstoodithimself,perhapsbecausehewasnotyettwenty-seven。Heonlyknewthathiswillwassomehowsick;thatitspentitselfincaprices,andbroughthimnohappinessfromthefulfilmentofthemostvehementwish。Buthewasawarethathiswishesgrewlessandlessvehement;hebegantohaveafearthatsometimehemighthavenoneatall。Itseemedtohimthatifhecouldoncedosomethingthatwasthoroughlydistastefultohimself,hemightmakeabeginningintherightdirection;butwhenhetriedthisonasmallscale,itfailed,anditseemedstupid。Somesortofexpiationwasthethingheneeded,hewassure;buthecouldnotthinkofanythinginparticulartoexpiate;amancouldnotexpiatehistemperament,andhistemperamentwaswhatBeatondecidedtobeatfault。Heperceivedthatitwentdeeperthanevenfatewouldhavegone;hecouldhavefulfilledanevildestinyandhaddonewithit,howeverterrible。Histroublewasthathecouldnotescapefromhimself;and,forthemostpart,hejustifiedhimselfinrefusingtotry。
AfterhehadcometothatdistinctunderstandingwithAlmaLeighton,andexperiencedthereliefitreallygavehim,hethoughtforawhilethatifithadfallenoutotherwise,andshehadputhiminchargeofherdestiny,hemighthavebeenbetterabletomanagehisown。Butasitwas,hecouldonlydrift,andletallotherthingstaketheircourse。
Itwasnecessarythatheshouldgotoseeherafterward,toshowherthathewasequaltotheevent;buthedidnotgosooften,andhewentratheroftenertotheDryfooses;itwasnoteasytoseeMargaretVance,exceptonthesocietyterms。Withmuchsneeringandscorning,hefulfilledthedutiestoMrs。Hornwithoutwhichheknewheshouldbedroppedfromherlist;butonemightgotomanyofherThursdayswithoutgettingmanywordswithherniece。Beatonhardlyknewwhetherhewantedmany;thegirlkeptthecharmofherinnocentstylishness;butlatterlyshewantedtotalkmoreaboutsocialquestionsthanaboutthepsychicalproblemsthatyoungpeopleusuallydebatesopersonally。Sonoftheworking-
peopleashewas,Beatonhadnevercaredanythingaboutsuchmatters;
hedidnotknowaboutthemorwishtoknow;hewasperhapstoonearthem。
Besides,therewasanembarrassment,atleastonherpart,concerningtheDryfooses。Shewastoohigh-mindedtoblamehimforhavingtemptedhertoherfailurewiththembyhistalkaboutthem;butshewasconsciousofavoidingtheminhertalk。Shehaddecidednottorenewtheeffortshehadmadeinthespring;becauseshecouldnotdothemgoodasfellow-
creaturesneedingfoodandwarmthandwork,andshewouldnottrytobefriendthemsocially;shehadahorrorofanysuchfutilesentimentality。ShewouldhavelikedtoaccounttoBeatoninthiswayforacoursewhichshesuspectedhemusthaveheardtheircommentsupon,butshedidnotquiteknowhowtodoit;shecouldnotbesurehowmuchorhowlittlehecaredforthem。Sometentativeapproacheswhichshemadetowardexplanationweremetwithsucheagerdisclaimofpersonalinterestthatsheknewlessthanbeforewhattothink;andsheturnedthetalkfromthesisterstothebrother,whomitseemedshestillcontinuedtomeetintheircommonworkamongthepoor。
\"Heseemsverydifferent,\"sheventured。
\"Oh,quite,\"saidBeaton。\"He\'sthekindofpersonthatyoumightsupposegavetheCatholicsahintforthecloistrallife;he\'sacloisterednature——thenaturethatatonesandsuffersfor。Buthe\'sawfullydullcompany,don\'tyouthink?Inevercangetanythingoutofhim。\"
\"He\'sverymuchinearnest。\"
\"Remorselessly。We\'vegotaprofaneandmundanecreaturethereattheofficewhorunsusall,andit\'sshockingmerelytoseethecontactofthetyronatures。WhenFulkersongetstojokingDryfoos——helikestoputhisjokeintheformofapretencethatDryfoosisactuatedbyaselfishmotive,thathehasaneyetooffice,andisworkingupapoliticalinterestforhimselfontheEastSide——it\'ssomethinginexpressible。\"
\"Ishouldthinkso,\"saidMissVance,withsuchloftydisapprovalthatBeatonfelthimselfincludedinitforhavingmerelytoldwhatcausedit。
Hecouldnothelpsaying,innaturalrebellion,\"Well,themanofoneideaisalwaysalittleridiculous。\"
\"Whenhisideaisright?\"shedemanded。\"Arightideacan\'tberidiculous。\"
\"Oh,Ionlysaidthemanthathelditwas。He\'sflat;hehasnorelief,noprojection。\"
Sheseemedunabletoanswer,andheperceivedthathehadsilencedhertohisown,disadvantage。ItappearedtoBeatonthatshewasbecomingalittletooexactingforcomfortinheridealism。Heputdownthecupofteahehadbeentasting,andsaid,inhissolemnstaccato:\"Imustgo。
Good-bye!\"andgotinstantlyawayfromher,withaneffecthehadofhavingsuddenlythoughtofsomethingimperative。
HewentuptoMrs。Hornforamoment\'shailandfarewell,andfelthimselfsubtlydetainedbyherthroughfugitivepassagesofconversationwithhalfadozenotherpeople。HefanciedthatatcrisesofthisstrangeinterviewMrs。Hornwasabouttobecomeconfidentialwithhim,andconfidential,ofallthings,aboutherniece。Sheendedbynothavingpalpablybeenso。Infact,theconcerninhermindwouldhavebeendifficulttoimparttoayoungman,andafterseveralexperimentsMrs。HornfounditimpossibletosaythatshewishedMargaretcouldsomehowbeinterestedinlowerthingsthanthosewhichoccupiedher。
Shehadwatchedwithgrowinganxietythegirl\'stendencytovariouskindsofself-devotion。Shehaddarkhoursinwhichsheevenfearedherentirewithdrawalfromtheworldinalifeofgoodworks。Beforenow,girlshadenteredtheProtestantsisterhoods,whichappealsopotentlytotheyoungandgenerousimagination,andMargaretwasofjustthetemperamenttobeinfluencedbythem。Duringthepastsummershehadbeenunhappyatherseparationfromthecaresthathadengrossedhermoreandmoreastheirstayinthecitydrewtoanendinthespring,andshehadhurriedherauntbacktotownearlierinthefallthanshewouldhavechosentocome。
Margarethadhercorrespondentsamongtheworking-womenwhomshebefriended。Mrs。HornwasatonetimealarmedtofindthatMargaretwasactuallypromotingastrikeofthebutton-holeworkers。This,ofcourse,haditsludicrousside,inconnectionwithayoungladyingoodsociety,andapersonofevensolittlehumorasMrs。Horncouldnothelpseeingit。Atthesametime,shecouldnothelpforebodingtheworstfromit;
shewasafraidthatMargaret\'shealthwouldgivewayunderthestrain,andthatifshedidnotgointoasisterhoodshewouldatleastgointoadecline。Shebeganthewinterwithallsuchcounteractivemeasuresasshecouldemploy。Atanagewhensuchthingsweary,shethrewherselfintothepleasuresofsocietywiththehopeofdraggingMargaretafterher;andasympatheticwitnessmusthavefollowedwithcompassionhercoursefromballtoball,fromreceptiontoreception,fromparlor-
readingtoparlor-reading,frommusicaletomusicale,fromplaytoplay,fromoperatoopera。Shetasted,aftershehadpracticallyrenouncedthem,thebitterandtheinsipidflavorsoffashionableamusement,inthehopethatMargaretmightfindthemsweet,andnowattheendshehadtoowntoherselfthatshehadfailed。ItwascomingLentagain,andthegirlhadonlygrownthinnerandmoreseriouswiththediversionsthatdidnotdivertherfromthebalefulworksofbeneficenceonwhichMrs。Hornfeltthatshewasthrowingheryouthaway。Margaretcouldhaveborneeitheralone,buttogethertheywerewearingherout。Shefeltitadutytoundergothepleasuresherauntappointedforher,butshecouldnotforegotheotherdutiesinwhichshefoundheronlypleasure。
Shekeptuphermusicstillbecauseshecouldemployitatthemeetingsfortheentertainment,and,asshehoped,theelevationofherworking-
women;butsheneglectedtheotheraestheticinterestswhichonceoccupiedher;and,atsightofBeatontalkingwithher,Mrs。HorncaughtatthehopethathemightsomehowbeturnedtoaccountinrevivingMargaret\'sformerinterestinart。SheaskedhimifMr。Wetmorehadhisclassesthatwinterasusual;andshesaidshewishedMargaretcouldbeinducedtogoagain:Mr。Wetmorealwayssaidthatshedidnotdrawverywell,butthatshehadagreatdealoffeelingforit,andherworkwasinteresting。Sheasked,weretheLeightonsintownagain;andshemurmuredaregretthatshehadnotbeenabletoseeanythingofthem,withoutexplainingwhy;shesaidshehadafancythatifMargaretknewMissLeighton,andwhatshewasdoing,itmightstimulateher,perhaps。
ShesupposedMissLeightonwasstillgoingonwithherart?Beatonsaid,Ohyes,hebelievedso。
ButhismannerdidnotencourageMrs。Horntopursueheraimsinthatdirection,andshesaid,withasigh,shewishedhestillhadaclass;
shealwaysfanciedthatMargaretgotmoregoodfromhisinstructionthanfromanyoneelse\'s。
Hesaidthatshewasverygood;buttherewasreallynobodywhoknewhalfasmuchasWetmore,orcouldmakeanyoneunderstandhalfasmuch。
Mrs。Hornwasafraid,shesaid,thatMr。Wetmore\'sterriblesinceritydiscouragedMargaret;hewouldnotletherhaveanyillusionsabouttheoutcomeofwhatshewasdoing;anddidnotMr。Beatonthinkthatsomeillusionwasnecessarywithyoungpeople?Ofcourse,itwasveryniceofMr。Wetmoretobesohonest,butitdidnotalwaysseemtobethewisestthing。ShebeggedMr。Beatontotrytothinkofsomeonewhowouldbealittlelesssevere。Hertoneassumedadeeperinterestinthepeoplewhowerecomingupandgoingaway,andBeatonperceivedthathewasdismissed。
HewentawaywithvanityflatteredbythesenseofhavingbeenappealedtoconcerningMargaret,andthenhebegantochafeatwhatshehadsaidofWetmore\'shonesty,aproposofherwishthathestillhadaclasshimself。Didshemean,confoundher?thathewasinsincere,andwouldletMissVancesupposeshehadmoretalentthanshereallyhad?ThemoreBeatonthoughtofthis,themorefurioushebecame,andthemorehewasconvincedthatsomethinglikeithadbeenunconsciouslyifnotconsciouslyinhermind。Heframedsomekeenretorts,tothegeneraleffectthatwiththeatmosphereofillusionpreservedsocompletelyathome,MissVancehardlyneededitinherartstudies。HavingjustdeterminednevertogonearMrs。Horn\'sThursdaysagain,hedecidedtogooncemore,inordertoplantthisstinginhercapaciousbutsomewhatcallousbosom;andheplannedhowhewouldleadthetalkuptothepointfromwhichheshouldlaunchit。
Inthemeantimehefelttheneedofsomepresentsolace,suchasonlyunqualifiedworshipcouldgivehim;acruelwishtofeelhispowerinsomedirectionwhere,evenifitwereresisted,itcouldnotbeovercome,drovehimon。ThatawomanwhowastoBeatontheembodimentofartificialityshouldintimate,howeverinnocently——theinnocencemadeitalltheworse——thathewaslesshonestthanWetmore,whomheknewtobesomuchmorehonest,wassomethingthatmustberetaliatedsomewherebeforehisself-respectcouldberestored。Itwasonlyfiveo\'clock,andhewentonup-towntotheDryfooses\',thoughhehadbeenthereonlythenightbeforelast。Heaskedfortheladies,andMrs。Mandelreceivedhim。
\"Theyoungladiesaredown-townshopping,\"shesaid,\"butIamverygladoftheopportunityofseeingyoualone,Mr。Beaton。YouknowIlivedseveralyearsinEurope。\"
\"Yes,\"saidBeaton,wonderingwhatthatcouldhavetodowithherpleasureinseeinghimalone。\"Ibelieveso?\"Heinvoluntarilygavehiswordsthequestioninginflection。
\"Youhavelivedabroad,too,andsoyouwon\'tfindwhatIamgoingtoasksostrange。Mr。Beaton,whydoyoucomesomuchtothishouse?\"Mrs。
Mandelbentforwardwithanaspectofladylikeinterestandsmiled。
Beatonfrowned。\"WhydoIcomesomuch?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"WhydoI——Excuseme,Mrs。Mandel,butwillyouallowmetoaskwhyyouask?\"
\"Oh,certainly。There\'snoreasonwhyIshouldn\'tsay,forIwishyoutobeveryfrankwithme。Iaskbecausetherearetwoyoungladiesinthishouse;and,inacertainway,Ihavetotaketheplaceofamothertothem。Ineedn\'texplainwhy;youknowallthepeoplehere,andyouunderstand。Ihavenothingtosayaboutthem,butIshouldnotbespeakingtoyounowiftheywerenotallratherhelplesspeople。Theydonotknowtheworldtheyhavecometoliveinhere,andtheycannothelpthemselvesoroneanother。Butyoudoknowit,Mr。Beaton,andIamsureyouknowjusthowmuchorhowlittleyoumeanbycominghere。Youareeitherinterestedinoneoftheseyounggirlsoryouarenot。Ifyouare,Ihavenothingmoretosay。Ifyouarenot——\"Mrs。Mandelcontinuedtosmile,butthesmilehadgrownmoreperfunctory,andithadanicygleam。
Beatonlookedatherwithsurprisethathegravelykepttohimself。Hehadalwaysregardedherasasocialnullity,withakindofpity,tobesure,asacivilizedpersonlivingamongsuchpeopleastheDryfooses,butnotwithoutahumorouscontempt;hehadthoughtofherasMandel,andsometimesasOldMandel,thoughshewasnothalfascoreofyearshissenior,andwasstillwellonthesunnysideofforty。Hereddened,andthenturnedanangrypallor。\"Excusemeagain,Mrs。Mandel。Doyouaskthisfromtheyoungladies?\"
\"Certainlynot,\"shesaid,withthebesttemper,andwithsomethinginhertonethatconvictedBeatonofvulgarity,inputtinghisquestionofherauthorityintheformofasneer。\"AsIhavesuggested,theywouldhardlyknowhowtohelpthemselvesatallinsuchamatter。IhavenoobjectiontosayingthatIaskitfromthefatheroftheyoungladies。
Ofcourse,inandformyselfIshouldhavenorighttoknowanythingaboutyouraffairs。Iassureyouthedutyofknowingisn\'tverypleasant。\"ThelittletremorinherclearvoicestruckBeatonassomethingrathernice。
\"Icanverywellbelievethat,Mrs。Mandel,\"hesaid,withadreamysadnessinhisown。Heliftedhiseyesandlookedintohers。\"IfItoldyouthatIcarednothingabouttheminthewayyouintimate?\"
\"ThenIshouldprefertoletyoucharacterizeyourownconductincontinuingtocomeherefortheyearpast,asyouhavedone,andtacitlyleadingthemontoinferdifferently。\"TheybothmechanicallykeptupthefictionofpluralityinspeakingofChristine,buttherewasnodoubtinthemindofeitherwhichoftheyoungladiestheothermeant。
AgoodmanythoughtswentthroughBeaton\'smind,andnoneofthemwereflattering。Hehadnotbeenunconsciousthattheparthehadplayedtowardthisgirlwasignoble,andthatithadgrownmeanerasthefancywhichherbeautyhadatfirstkindledinhimhadgrowncooler。Hewasawarethatoflatehehadbeenamusinghimselfwithherpassioninawaythatwasnotlessthancruel,notbecausehewishedtodoso,butbecausehewaslistlessandwishednothing。Heroseinsaying:\"Imightbealittlemorelenientthanyouthink,Mrs。Mandel;butIwon\'ttroubleyouwithanypalliatingtheory。Iwillnotcomeanymore。\"
Hebowed,andMrs。Mandelsaid,\"Ofcourse,it\'sonlyyouractionthatI
amconcernedwith。\"
Sheseemedtohimmerelytriumphant,andhecouldnotconceivewhatithadcosthertonerveherselfuptohertooeasyvictory。HeleftMrs。
Mandeltoafarharderlotthanhadfallentohim,andhewentawayhatingherasanenemywhohadhumiliatedhimatamomentwhenheparticularlyneededexalting。ItwasreallyverysimpleforhimtostopgoingtoseeChristineDryfoos,butitwasnotatallsimpleforMrs。
Mandeltodealwiththeconsequencesofhisnotcoming。Heonlythoughthowlightlyshehadstoppedhim,andthepoorwomanwhomhehadlefttremblingforwhatshehadbeenobligedtodoembodiedforhimtheconsciencethataccusedhimofunpleasantthings。
\"Byheavens!thisispilingitup,\"hesaidtohimselfthroughhissetteeth,realizinghowithadhappenedrightontopofthatstupidinsultfromMrs。Horn。Nowheshouldhavetogiveuphisplaceon\'EveryOtherWeek;hecouldnotkeepthat,underthecircumstances,evenifsomepretencewerenotmadetogetridofhim;hemusthurryandanticipateanysuchpretence;hemustseeFulkersonatonce;hewonderedwhereheshouldfindhimatthathour。Hethought,withbitternesssorealthatitgavehimakindoftragicalsatisfaction,howcertainlyhecouldfindhimalittlelateratMrs。Leighton\'s;andFulkerson\'shappinessbecameanaddedinjury。
Thethinghad,ofcourse,comeaboutjustatthewrongtime。ThereneverhadbeenatimewhenBeatonneededmoneymore,whenhehadspentwhathehadandwhatheexpectedtohavesorecklessly。HewasindebttoFulkersonpersonallyandofficiallyforadvancepaymentsofsalary。Thethoughtofsendingmoneyhomemadehimbreakintoascoffinglaugh,whichheturnedintoacoughinordertodeceivethepassers。WhatsortoffaceshouldhegowithtoFulkersonandtellhimthatherenouncedhisemploymenton\'EveryOtherWeek;\'andwhatshouldhedowhenhehadrenouncedit?Takepupils,perhaps;openaclass?AluridconceptionofaclassconductedonthoseprinciplesofshamelessflatteryatwhichMrs。
Hornhadhinted——hebelievednowshehadmeanttoinsulthim——presenteditself。Whyshouldnotheactuponthesuggestion?Hethoughtwithloathingforthewholeraceofwomen——dabblersinart。Howeasythethingwouldbe:aseasyastoturnbacknowandtellthatoldfool\'sgirlthathelovedher,andrakeinhalfhismillions。Whyshouldnothedothat?Nooneelsecaredforhim;andatayear\'send,probably,onewomanwouldbelikeanotherasfarasthelovewasconcerned,andprobablyheshouldnotbemoretiredifthewomanwereChristineDryfoosthanifshewereMargaretVance。HekeptAlmaLeightonoutofthequestion,becauseatthebottomofhishearthebelievedthatshemustbeforeverunlikeeveryotherwomantohim。
Thetideofhisconfusedandaimlessreveriehadcarriedhimfardown-
town,hethought;butwhenhelookedupfromittoseewherehewashefoundhimselfonSixthAvenue,onlyalittlebelowThirty-ninthStreet,veryhotandblown;thatidioticfurovercoatwasstifling。HecouldnotpossiblywalkdowntoEleventh;hedidnotwanttowalkeventotheElevatedstationatThirty-fourth;hestoppedatthecornertowaitforasurface-car,andfellagainintohisbitterfancies。Afterawhileherousedhimselfandlookedupthetrack,buttherewasnocarcoming。Hefoundhimselfbesideapoliceman,whowaslazilyswinginghisclubbyitsthongfromhiswrist。
\"Whendoyousupposeacarwillbealong?\"heasked,ratherinageneralsarcasmoftheabsenceofthecarsthaninanyspecialbeliefthatthepolicemancouldtellhim。
Thepolicemanwaitedtodischargehistobacco-juiceintothegutter。
\"Inaboutaweek,\"hesaid,nonchalantly。
\"What\'sthematter?\"askedBeaton,wonderingwhatthejokecouldbe。
\"Strike,\"saidthepoliceman。HisinterestinBeaton\'signoranceseemedtoovercomehiscontemptofit。\"KnockedoffeverywherethismorningexceptThirdAvenueandoneortwocross-townlines。\"Hespatagainandkepthisbulkatitsinclineovertheguttertoglanceatagroupofmenonthecornerbelow:Theywereneatlydressed,andlookedlikesomethingbetterthanworkingmen,andtheyhadaholidayairofbeingintheirbestclothes。
\"Someofthestrikers?\"askedBeaton。
Thepolicemannodded。
\"Anytroubleyet?\"
\"Therewon\'tbeanytroubletillwebegintomovethecars,\"saidthepoliceman。
BeatonfeltasuddenturnofhisragetowardthemenwhoseactionwouldnowforcehimtowalkfiveblocksandmountthestairsoftheElevatedstation。\"Ifyou\'dtakeouteightortenofthosefellows,\"hesaid,ferociously,\"andsetthemupagainstawallandshootthem,you\'dsaveagreatdealofbother。\"
\"Iguesswesha\'n\'thavetoshootmuch,\"saidthepoliceman,stillswinginghislocust。\"Anyway,weshantbeginit。Ifitcomestoafight,though,\"hesaid,withalookatthemenunderthescoopingrimofhishelmet,\"wecandrivethewholesixthousandof\'emintotheEastRiverwithoutpullin\'atrigger。\"
\"Aretheresixthousandinit?\"
\"About。\"
\"Whatdotheinfernalfoolsexpecttoliveon?\"
\"Theinterestoftheirmoney,Isuppose,\"saidtheofficer,withagrinofsatisfactioninhisirony。\"It\'sgottorunitscourse。Thenthey\'llcomebackwiththeirheadstiedupandtheirtailsbetweentheirlegs,andpleadtobetakenonagain。\"
\"IfIwasamanageroftheroads,\"saidBeaton,thinkingofhowmuchhewasalreadyinconveniencedbythestrike,andobscurelyconnectingitasoneoftheserieswiththewrongshehadsufferedatthehandsofMrs。
HornandMrs。Mandel,\"IwouldseethemstarvebeforeI\'dtakethemback——everyoneofthem。\"
\"Well,\"saidthepoliceman,impartially,asamanmightwhomthecompaniesallowedtoridefree,butwhohadmadefriendswithagoodmanydriversandconductorsinthecourseofhisfreeriding,\"Iguessthat\'swhattheroadswouldliketodoiftheycould;butthemenaretoomanyforthem,andthereain\'tenoughothermentotaketheirplaces。\"
\"Nomatter,\"saidBeaton,severely。\"Theycanbringinmenfromotherplaces。\"
\"Oh,they\'lldothatfastenough,\"saidthepoliceman。
Amancameoutofthesaloononthecornerwherethestrikerswerestanding,noisydrunk,andtheybegan,astheywouldhavesaid,tohavesomefunwithhim。ThepolicemanleftBeaton,andsaunteredslowlydowntowardthegroupasifinthenaturalcourseofanafternoonramble。OntheothersideofthestreetBeatoncouldseeanotherofficersaunteringupfromtheblockbelow。Lookingupanddowntheavenue,sosilentofitshorse-carbells,hesawapolicemanateverycorner。Itwasratherimpressive。
III。
Thestrikemadeagooddealoftalkinitheofficeof\'EveryOtherWeek\'
thatis,itmadeFulkersontalkagooddeal。Hecongratulatedhimselfthathewasnotpersonallyincommodedbyit,likesomeofthefellowswholiveduptown,andhadnoteverythingunderoneroof,asitwere。Heenjoyedtheexcitementofit,andhekepttheofficeboyrunningouttobuytheextraswhichthenewsmencamecryingthroughthestreetalmosteveryhourwithalamentable,unintelligiblenoise。Hereadnotonlythelatestintelligenceofthestrike,buttheeditorialcommentsonit,whichpraisedthefirmattitudeofbothparties,andtheadmirablemeasurestakenbythepolicetopreserveorder。Fulkersonenjoyedtheinterviewswiththepolicecaptainsandtheleadersofthestrike;heequallyenjoyedtheattemptsofthereporterstointerviewtheroadmanagers,whichweresographicallydetailed,andwithsuchafinefeelingfortherightuseofscare-headsastohavealmostthevalueofdirectexpressionfromthem,thoughitseemedthattheyhadresolutelyrefusedtospeak。Hesaid,atsecond-handfromthepapers,thatifthemenbehavedthemselvesandrespectedtherightsofproperty,theywouldhavepublicsympathywiththemeverytime;butjustassoonastheybegantointerferewiththeroads\'righttomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway,theymustbeputdownwithanironhand;thephrase\"ironhand\"
didFulkersonalmostasmuchgoodasifithadneverbeenusedbefore。
NewsbegantocomeoffightingbetweenthepoliceandthestrikerswhentheroadstriedtomovetheircarswithmenimportedfromPhiladelphia,andthenFulkersonrejoicedatthesplendidcourageofthepolice。Atthesametime,hebelievedwhatthestrikerssaid,andthatthetroublewasnotmadebythem,butbygangsofroughsactingwithouttheirapproval。InthisjuncturehewasrelievedbythearrivaloftheStateBoardofArbitration,whichtookupitsquarters,withagreatmanyscare-heads,atoneoftheprincipalhotels,andinvitedtheroadsandthestrikerstolaythematterindisputebeforethem;hesaidthatnowweshouldseetheworkingofthegreatestpieceofsocialmachineryinmoderntimes。Butitappearedtoworkonlyinthealacrityofthestrikerstosubmittheirgrievance。Theroad;wereasoneroadindeclaringthattherewasnothingtoarbitrate,andthattheyweremerelyassertingtheirrighttomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway。
OneofthepresidentswasreportedtohavetoldamemberoftheBoard,whopersonallysummonedhim,togetoutandtogoabouthisbusiness。
Then,toFulkerson\'sextremedisappointment,theaugusttribunal,actingonbehalfofthesovereignpeopleintheinterestofpeace,declareditselfpowerless,andgotout,andwould,nodoubt,havegoneaboutitsbusinessifithadhadany。Fulkersondidnotknowwhattosay,perhapsbecausetheextrasdidnot;butMarchlaughedatthisresult。
\"It\'sagooddeallikethemilitarymanoeuvreoftheKingofFranceandhisfortythousandmen。Isupposesomebodytoldhimatthetopofthehillthattherewasnothingtoarbitrate,andtogetoutandgoabouthisbusiness,andthatwasthereasonhemarcheddownafterhehadmarchedupwithallthatceremony。Whatamusesmeistofindthatinanaffairofthiskindtheroadshaverightsandthestrikershaverights,butthepublichasnorightsatall。TheroadsandthestrikersareallowedtofightoutaprivatewarinourmidstasthoroughlyandpreciselyaprivatewarasanywedespisetheMiddleAgesforhavingtolerated——
asanystreetwarinFlorenceorVerona——andtofightitoutatourpainsandexpense,andwestandbylikesheepandwaittilltheygettired。
It\'safunnyattitudeforacityoffifteenhundredthousandinhabitants。\"
\"Whatwouldyoudo?\"askedFulkerson,agooddealdauntedbythisviewofthecase。
\"Do?Nothing。Hasn\'ttheStateBoardofArbitrationdeclareditselfpowerless?Wehavenoholduponthestrikers;andwe\'resousedtobeingsnubbedanddisobligedbycommoncarriersthatwehaveforgottenourholdontheroadsandalwaysallowthemtomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway,quiteasifwehadnothingtodowiththemandtheyowedusnoservicesinreturnfortheirprivileges。\"
\"That\'sagooddealso,\"saidFulkerson,disorderinghishair。\"Well,it\'snutsforthecolonelnowadays。Hesaysifhewasbossofthistownhewouldseizetheroadsonbehalfofthepeople,andman\'emwithpolicemen,andrun\'emtillthemanagershadcometotermswiththestrikers;andhe\'ddothateverytimetherewasastrike。\"
\"Doesn\'tthatrathersavorofthepaternalismhecondemnedinLindau?\"
askedMarch。
\"Idon\'tknow。Itsavorsofhorsesense。\"
\"Youareprettyfargone,Fulkerson。IthoughtyouwerethemostengagedmanIeversaw;butIguessyou\'remorefather-in-lawed。Andbeforeyou\'remarried,too。\"
\"Well,thecolonel\'sagloriousoldfellow,March。Iwishhehadthepowertodothatthing,justforthefunoflookingonwhilehewaltzedin。He\'sonthekeenjumpfrommorningtillnight,andhe\'suplateandearlytoseetherow。I\'mafraidhe\'llgetshotatsomeofthefights;
heseesthemall;Ican\'tgetanyshowatthem:haven\'tseenabrickbatshiedoraclubswungyet。Haveyou?\"
\"No,IfindIcanphilosophizethesituationaboutaswellfromthepapers,andthat\'swhatIreallywanttodo,Isuppose。Besides,I\'msolemnlypledgedbyMrs。Marchnottogonearanysortofcrowd,underpenaltyofhavingherbringthechildrenandgowithme。Hertheoryisthatwemustalldietogether;thechildrenhaven\'tbeenatschoolsincethestrikebegan。There\'snoprecautionthatMrs。Marchhasn\'tused。
ShewatchesmewheneverIgoout,andseesthatIstartstraightforthisoffice。\"
Fulkersonlaughedandsaid:\"Well,it\'sprobablytheonlythingthat\'ssavedyourlife。HaveyouseenanythingofBeatonlately?\"
\"No。Youdon\'tmeantosayhe\'skilled!\"
\"Notifheknowsit。ButIdon\'tknow——Whatdoyousay,March?What\'sthereasonyoucouldn\'tgetusupapaperonthestrike?\"
\"Iknewitwouldfetchroundto\'EveryOtherWeek,\'somehow。\"
\"No,butseriously。There\'llbeplentyofnewspaperaccounts。Butyoucouldtreatitinthehistoricalspirit——likesomethingthathappenedseveralcenturiesago;DeFoe\'sPlagueofLondonstyle。Heigh?WhatmademethinkofitwasBeaton。IfIcouldgetholdofhim,youtwocouldgoroundtogetherandtakedownitsaestheticaspects。It\'sabigthing,March,thisstrikeis。Itellyouit\'simposingtohaveaprivatewar,asyousay,foughtoutthisway,intheheartofNewYork,andNewYorknotminding,itabit。See?Mighttakethatviewofit。WithyourdescriptionsandBeaton\'ssketches——well,itwouldjustbethegreatestcard!Come!Whatdoyousay?\"
\"WillyouundertaketomakeitrightwithMrs。MarchifI\'mkilledandsheandthechildrenarenotkilledwithme?\"
\"Well,itwouldbedifficult。IwonderhowitwoulddotogetKendrickstodotheliterarypart?\"
\"I\'venodoubthe\'djumpatthechance。I\'veyettoseetheformofliteraturethatKendrickswouldn\'tlaydownhislifefor。\"
\"Say!\"MarchperceivedthatFulkersonwasabouttoventanotherinspiration,andsmiledpatiently。\"Lookhere!What\'sthereasonwecouldn\'tgetoneofthestrikerstowriteitupforus?\"
\"Mighthaveasymposiumofstrikersandpresidents,\"Marchsuggested。
\"No;I\'minearnest。Theysaysomeofthosefellows-especiallytheforeigners——areeducatedmen。Iknowonefellow——aBohemian——thatusedtoeditaBohemiannewspaperhere。HecouldwriteitoutinhiskindofDutch,andwecouldgetLindautotranslateit。\"
\"Iguessnot,\"saidMarch,dryly。
\"Whynot?He\'ddoitforthecause,wouldn\'the?Supposeyouputituponhimthenexttimeyouseehim。\"
\"Idon\'tseeLindauanymore,\"saidMarch。Headded,\"Iguesshe\'srenouncedmealongwithMr。Dryfoos\'smoney。\"
\"Pshaw!Youdon\'tmeanhehasn\'tbeenroundsince?\"
\"Hecameforawhile,buthe\'sleftoffcomingnow。Idon\'tfeelparticularlygayaboutit,\"Marchsaid,withsomeresentmentofFulkerson\'sgrin。\"He\'sleftmeindebttohimforlessonstothechildren。\"
Fulkersonlaughedout。\"Well,heisthegreatestoldfool!Who\'d\'a\'
thoughthe\'d\'a\'beeninearnestwiththose\'brincibles\'ofhis?ButI
supposetherehavetobejustsuchcranks;ittakesallkindstomakeaworld。\"
\"Therehastobeonesuchcrank,itseems,\"Marchpartiallyassented。
\"One\'senoughforme。\"
\"IreckonthisthingisnutsforLindau,too,\"saidFulkerson。\"Why,itmustactlikeaschoonerofbeeronhimallthewhile,tosee\'gabidal\'
embarrassedlikeitisbythisstrike。ItmustmakeoldLindaufeellikehewasbackbehindthosebarricadesatBerlin。Well,he\'sasplendidoldfellow;pityhedrinks,asIremarkedoncebefore。\"
WhenMarchlefttheofficehedidnotgohomesodirectlyashecame,perhapsbecauseMrs。March\'seyewasnotonhim。Hewasverycuriousaboutsomeaspectsofthestrike,whoseimportance,asagreatsocialconvulsion,hefeltpeopledidnotrecognize;and,withhistemperanceineverything,hefounditsnegativeexpressionsassignificantasitsmoreviolentphases。Hehadpromisedhiswifesolemnlythathewouldkeepaway,fromthese,andhehadanaturalinclinationtokeephispromise;
hehadnowishtobethatpeacefulspectatorwhoalwaysgetsshotwhenthereisanyfiringonamob。Heinterestedhimselfintheapparentindifferenceofthemightycity,whichkeptonaboutitsbusinessastranquillyasiftheprivatewarbeingfoughtoutinitsmidstwereavaguerumorofIndiantroublesonthefrontier;andherealizedhowtheremightoncehavebeenastreetfeudoffortyyearsinFlorencewithoutinterferingmateriallywiththeindustryandprosperityofthecity。
OnBroadwaytherewasasilencewhereajangleandclatterofhorse-carbellsandhoofshadbeen,butitwasnotverynoticeable;andontheavenues,roofedbytheelevatedroads,thissilenceofthesurfacetrackswasnotnoticeableatallintheroarofthetrainsoverhead。Someofthecross-towncarswerebeginningtorunagain,withapolicemanontherearofeach;ontheThirdAvengeline,operatedbynon-unionmen,whohadnotstruck,thereweretwopolicemenbesidethedriverofeverycar,andtwobesidetheconductor,toprotectthemfromthestrikers。Buttherewerenostrikersinsight,andonSecondAvenuetheystoodquietlyaboutingroupsonthecorners。WhileMarchwatchedthematasafedistance,acarladenwithpolicemencamedownthetrack,butnoneofthestrikersofferedtomolestit。IntheirsimpleSundaybest,Marchthoughtthemveryquiet,decent-lookingpeople,andhecouldwellbelievethattheyhadnothingtodowiththeriotousoutbreaksinotherpartsofthecity。Hecouldhardlybelievethattherewereanysuchoutbreaks;hebeganmoreandmoretothinkthemmerenewspaperexaggerationsintheabsenceofanydisturbance,orthedispositiontoit,thathecouldsee。
HewalkedontotheEastRiverAvenuesA,B,andCpresentedthesamequietaspectasSecondAvenue;
groupsofmenstoodonthecorners,andnowandthenapolice-ladencarwasbroughtunmolesteddownthetracksbeforethem;theylookedatitandtalkedtogether,andsomelaughed,buttherewasnotrouble。
Marchgotacross-towncar,andcamebacktotheWestSide。Apoliceman,lookingverysleepyandtired,loungedontheplatform。
\"Isupposeyou\'llbegladwhenthiscruelwarisover,\"Marchsuggested,ashegotin。
Theofficergavehimasurlyglanceandmadehimnoanswer。
Hisbehavior,fromamanborntothejokinggiveandtakeofourlife,impressedMarch。ItgavehimafinesenseoftheferocitywhichhehadreadoftheFrenchtroopsputtingontowardthepopulacejustbeforethecoupd\'etat;hebegantofeellikethepopulace;buthestruggledwithhimselfandregainedhischaracterofphilosophicalobserver。Inthischaracterheremainedinthecarandletitcarryhimbythecornerwhereheoughttohavegotoutandgonehome,andletitkeeponwithhimtooneofthefarthermosttrackswestward,wheresomuchofthefightingwasreportedtohavetakenplace。ButeverythingonthewaywasasquietasontheEastSide。
Suddenlythecarstoppedwithsoquickaturnofthebrakethathewashalfthrownfromhisseat,andthepolicemanjumpeddownfromtheplatformandranforward。
IV
DryfoossatatbreakfastthatmorningwithMrs。Mandelasusualtopourouthiscoffee。Conradhadgonedown-town;thetwogirlslayabedmuchlaterthantheirfatherbreakfasted,andtheirmotherhadgraduallygrowntoofeebletocomedowntilllunch。SuddenlyChristineappearedatthedoor。Herfacewaswhitetotheedgesofherlips,andhereyeswereblazing。
Lookhere,father!HaveyoubeensayinganythingtoMr。Beaton?\"
Theoldmanlookedupatheracrosshiscoffee-cupthroughhisfrowningbrows。\"No。\"
Mrs。Mandeldroppedhereyes,andthespoonshookinherhand。
\"Thenwhat\'sthereasonhedon\'tcomehereanymore?\"demandedthegirl;
andherglancedartedfromherfathertoMrs。Mandel。\"Oh,it\'syou,isit?I\'dliketoknowwhotoldyoutomeddleinotherpeople\'sbusiness?\"
\"Idid,\"saidDryfoos,savagely。\"Itoldhertoaskhimwhathewantedhere,andhesaidhedidn\'twantanything,andhestoppedcoming。That\'sall。Ididitmyself。\"
\"Oh,youdid,didyou?\"saidthegirl,scarcelylessinsolentlythanshehadspokentoMrs。Mandel。\"Ishouldliketoknowwhatyoudiditfor?
I\'dliketoknowwhatmadeyouthinkIwasn\'tabletotakecareofmyself。Ijustknewsomebodyhadbeenmeddling,butIdidn\'tsupposeitwasyou。Icanmanagemyownaffairsinmyownway,ifyouplease,andI\'llthankyouafterthistoleavemetomyselfinwhatdon\'tconcernyou。\"
\"Don\'tconcernme?Youimpudentjade!\"herfatherbegan。
Christineadvancedfromthedoorwaytowardthetable;shehadherhandscloseduponwhatseemedtrinkets,someofwhichglitteredanddangledfromthem。Shesaid,\"Willyougotohimandtellhimthatthismeddlesomeminx,here,hadnobusinesstosayanythingaboutmetohim,andyoutakeitallback?\"
\"No!\"shoutedtheoldman。\"Andif——\"
\"That\'sallIwantofyou!\"thegirlshoutedinherturn。\"Hereareyourpresents。\"Withbothhandssheflungthejewels-pinsandringsandearringsandbracelets——amongthebreakfast-dishes,fromwhichsomeofthemsprangtothefloor。ShestoodamomenttopulltheintaglioringfromthefingerwhereBeatonputitayearago,anddashedthatatherfather\'splate。Thenshewhirledoutoftheroom,andtheyheardherrunningup-stairs。
Theoldmanmadeastarttowardher,buthefellbackinhischairbeforeshewasgone,and,withafierce,grindingmovementofhisjaws,controlledhimself。\"Take-takethosethingsup,\"hegaspedtoMrs。
Mandel。Heseemedunabletoriseagainfromhischair;butwhensheaskedhimifhewereunwell,hesaidno,withanairofoffence,andgotquicklytohisfeet。Hemechanicallypickeduptheintaglioringfromthetablewhilehestoodthere,andputitonhislittlefinger;hishandwasnotmuchbiggerthanChristine\'s。\"Howdoyousupposeshefounditout?\"heasked,afteramoment。
\"Sheseemstohavemerelysuspectedit,\"saidMrs。Mandel,inatremor,andwiththefrightinhereyeswhichChristine\'sviolencehadbroughtthere。
\"Well,itdon\'tmakeanydifference。Shehadtoknow,somehow,andnowsheknows。\"Hestartedtowardthedoorofthelibrary,asiftogointothehall,wherehishatandcoathung。
\"Mr。Dryfoos,\"palpitatedMrs。Mandel,\"Ican\'tremainhere,afterthelanguageyourdaughterhasusedtome——Ican\'tletyouleaveme——I——I\'mafraidofher——\"
\"Lockyourselfup,then,\"saidtheoldman,rudely。Headded,fromthehallbeforeliewentout,\"Ireckonshe\'llquietdownnow。\"
HetooktheElevatedroad。Thestrikeseemedavaryfar-offthing,thoughthepaperheboughttolookupthestockmarketwasfullofnoisytypographyaboutyesterday\'stroublesonthesurfacelines。AmongthemillionsinWallStreettherewassomejokingandsomeswearing,butnotmuchthinking,aboutthesixthousandmenwhohadtakensuchchancesintheirattempttobettertheircondition。DryfoosheardnothingofthestrikeinthelobbyoftheStockExchange,wherehespenttwoorthreehourswatchingafavoritestockofhisgoupandgodownunderthebetting。BythetimetheExchangeclosedithadriseneightpoints,andonthisandsomeotherinvestmentshewasfivethousanddollarsricherthanhehadbeeninthemorning。Buthehadexpectedtobericherstill,andhewasbynomeanssatisfiedwithhisluck。Allthroughtheexcitementofhiswinningandlosinghadplayedthedull,murderousragehefelttowardtheychildwhohaddefiedhim,andwhenthegamewasoverandhestartedhomehisragemountedintoasortoffrenzy;hewouldteachher,hewouldbreakher。Hewalkedalongwaywithoutthinking,andthenwaitedforacar。Nonecame,andhehailedapassingcoupe。
\"Whathasgotallthecars?\"hedemandedofthedriver,whojumpeddownfromhisboxtoopenthedoorforhimandgethisdirection。
\"Beenaway?\"askedthedriver。\"Hasn\'tbeenanycaralongforaweek。
Strike。\"
\"Ohyes,\"saidDryfoos。Hefeltsuddenlygiddy,andheremainedstaringatthedriverafterhehadtakenhisseat。
Themanasked,\"Whereto?\"
Dryfooscouldnotthinkofhisstreetornumber,andhesaid,withuncontrollablefury:\"Itoldyouonce!GouptoWestEleventh,anddrivealongslowonthesouthside;I\'llshowyoutheplace。\"
Hecouldnotrememberthenumberof\'EveryOtherWeek\'office,wherehesuddenlydecidedtostopbeforehewenthome。HewishedtoseeFulkerson,andaskhimsomethingaboutBeaton:whetherhehadbeenaboutlately,andwhetherhehaddroppedanyhintofwhathadhappenedconcerningChristine;DryfoosbelievedthatFulkersonwasinthefellow\'sconfidence。
TherewasnobodybutConradinthecounting-room,whitherDryfoosreturnedafterglancingintoFulkerson\'semptyoffice。\"Where\'sFulkerson?\"heasked,sittingdownwithhishaton。
\"Hewentoutafewmomentsago,\"saidConrad,glancingattheclock。
\"I\'mafraidheisn\'tcomingbackagaintoday,ifyouwantedtoseehim。\"
DryfoostwistedhisheadsidewiseandupwardtoindicateMarch\'sroom。
\"Thatotherfellowout,too?\"
\"HewentjustbeforeMr。Fulkerson,\"answeredConrad。
\"Doyougenerallyknockoffhereinthemiddleoftheafternoon?\"askedtheoldman。
\"No,\"saidConrad,aspatientlyasifhisfatherhadnotbeenthereascoreoftimesandfoundthewholestaffofEveryOtherleekatworkbetweenfourandfive。\"Mr。March,youknow,alwaystakesagooddealofhisworkhomewithhim,andIsupposeMr。Fulkersonwentoutsoearlybecausethereisn\'tmuchdoingto-day。Perhapsit\'sthestrikethatmakesitdull。\"
\"Thestrike-yes!It\'saprettypieceofbusinesstohaveeverythingthrownoutbecauseaparceloflazyhoundswantachancetolayoffandgetdrunk。\"DryfoosseemedtothinkConradwouldmakesomeanswertothis,buttheyoungman\'smildfacemerelysaddened,andhesaidnothing。
\"I\'vegotacoupeouttherenowthatIhadtotakebecauseIcouldn\'tgetacar。IfIhadmywayI\'dhavealotofthosevagabondshung。They\'rewaitingtogetthecityintoasnarl,andthenrobthehouses——packofdirty,worthlesswhelps。Theyoughttocalloutthemilitia,andfireinto\'em。Clubbingistoogoodforthem。\"Conradwasstillsilent,andhisfathersneered,\"ButIreckonyoudon\'tthinkso。\"
\"Ithinkthestrikeisuseless,\"saidConrad。
\"Oh,youdo,doyou?Comin\'toyoursensesalittle。Gettin\'tiredwalkin\'somuch。IshouldliketoknowwhatyourgentlemenoverthereontheEastSidethinkaboutthestrike,anyway。\"
Theyoungfellowdroppedhiseyes。\"Iamnotauthorizedtospeakforthem。\"
\"Oh,indeed!Andperhapsyou\'renotauthorizedtospeakforyourself?\"
\"Father,youknowwedon\'tagreeaboutthesethings。I\'drathernottalk——\"
\"ButI\'mgoin\'tomakeyoutalkthistime!\"criedDryfoos,strikingthearmofthechairhesatinwiththesideofhisfist。AmaddeningthoughtofChristinecameoverhim。\"Aslongasyoueatmybread,youhavegottodoasIsay。Iwon\'thavemychildrentellingmewhatI
shalldoandsha\'n\'tdo,ortakeonairsofbeingholierthanme。Now,youjustspeakup!Doyouthinkthoseloafersareright,ordon\'tyou?
Come!\"
Conradapparentlyjudgeditbesttospeak。\"Ithinktheywereveryfoolishtostrike——atthistime,whentheElevatedroadscandothework。\"
\"Oh,atthistime,heigh!AndIsupposetheythinkoverthereontheEastSidethatit\'dbeenwisetostrikebeforewegottheElevated。\"
Conradagainrefusedtoanswer,andhisfatherroared,\"Whatdoyouthink?\"
\"Ithinkastrikeisalwaysbadbusiness。It\'swar;butsometimestheredon\'tseemanyotherwayfortheworkingmentogetjustice。Theysaythatsometimesstrikesdoraisethewages,afterawhile。\"
\"Thoselazydevilswerepaidenoughalready,\"shriekedtheoldman。
\"Theygottwodollarsaday。Howmuchdoyouthinktheyoughtto\'a\'
got?Twenty?\"
Conradhesitated,withabeseechinglookathisfather。Buthedecidedtoanswer。\"Themensaythatwithpartialwork,andfines,andotherthings,theygetsometimesadollar,andsometimesninetycentsaday。\"
\"Theylie,andyouknowtheylie,\"saidhisfather,risingandcomingtowardhim。\"Andwhatdoyouthinktheupshotofitallwillbe,afterthey\'veruinedbusinessforanotherweek,andmadepeoplehirehacks,andstolenthemoneyofhonestmen?Howisitgoingtoend?\"
\"Theywillhavetogivein。\"
\"Oh,givein,heigh!Andwhatwillyousaythen,Ishouldliketoknow?
Howwillyoufeelaboutitthen?Speak!\"
\"IshallfeelasIdonow。Iknowyoudon\'tthinkthatway,andIdon\'tblameyou——oranybody。ButifIhavegottosayhowIshallfeel,why,I
shallfeelsorrytheydidn\'tsucceed,forIbelievetheyhavearighteouscause,thoughtheygothewrongwaytohelpthemselves。\"
Hisfathercameclosetohim,hiseyesblazing,histeethset。\"Doyoudaresosaythattome?\"
\"Yes。Ican\'thelpit。Ipitythem;mywholeheartiswiththosepoormen。\"
\"Youimpudentpuppy!\"shoutedtheoldman。Heliftedhishandandstruckhissonintheface。Conradcaughthishandwithhisownleft,and,whilethebloodbegantotricklefromawoundthatChristine\'sintaglioringhadmadeinhistemple,helookedathimwithakindofgrievingwonder,andsaid,\"Father!\"
Theoldmanwrenchedhisfistawayandranoutofthehouse。Herememberedhisaddressnow,andhegaveitasheplungedintothecoupe。
Hetrembledwithhisevilpassion,andglaredoutofthewindowsatthepassersashedrovehome;heonlysawConrad\'smild,grieving,wonderingeyes,andthebloodslowlytricklingfromthewoundinhistemple。
Conradwenttotheneat-setbowlinFulkerson\'scomfortableroomandwashedthebloodaway,andkeptbathingthewoundwiththecoldwatertillitstoppedbleeding。Thecutwasnotdeep,andhethoughthewouldnotputanythingonit。Afterawhilehelockeduptheofficeandstartedout,behardlyknewwhere。Buthewalkedon,inthedirectionhehadtaken,tillhefoundhimselfinUnionSquare,onthepavementinfrontofBrentano\'s。Itseemedtohimthatheheardsomeonecallinggentlytohim,\"Mr。Dryfoos!\"
V。
Conradlookedconfusedlyaround,andthesamevoicesaidagain,\"Mr。
Dryfoos!\"andhesawthatitwasaladyspeakingtohimfromacoupebesidethecurbing,andthenhesawthatitwasMissVance。
Shesmiledwhen,hegavesignsofhavingdiscoveredher,andcameuptothedoorofhercarriage。\"Iamsogladtomeetyou。Ihavebeenlongingtotalktosomebody;nobodyseemstofeelaboutitasIdo。Oh,isn\'tithorrible?Musttheyfail?IsawcarsrunningonallthelinesasIcameacross;itmademesickatheart。Mustthosebravefellowsgivein?Andeverybodyseemstohatethemso——Ican\'tbearit。\"Herfacewasestrangedwithexcitement,andthereweretracesoftearsonit。
\"Youmustthinkmealmostcrazytostopyouinthestreetthisway;butwhenIcaughtsightofyouIhadtospeak。Iknewyouwouldsympathize——
IknewyouwouldfeelasIdo。Oh,howcananybodyhelphonoringthosepoormenforstandingbyoneanotherastheydo?Theyareriskingalltheyhaveintheworldforthesakeofjustice!Oh,theyaretrueheroes!
Theyarestakingthebreadoftheirwivesandchildrenonthedreadfulchancethey\'vetaken!Butnooneseemstounderstandit。Nooneseemstoseethattheyarewillingtosuffermorenowthatotherpoormenmaysufferlesshereafter。Andthosewretchedcreaturesthatarecomingintotaketheirplaces——thosetraitors——\"
\"Wecan\'tblamethemforwantingtoearnaliving,MissVance,\"saidConrad。
\"No,no!Idon\'tblamethem。WhoamI,todosuchathing?It\'swe——peoplelikeme,ofmyclass——whomakethepoorbetrayoneanother。
Butthisdreadfulfighting——thishideouspaperisfullofit!\"Sheheldupanextra,crumpledwithhernervousreading。\"Can\'tsomethingbedonetostopit?Don\'tyouthinkthatifsomeonewentamongthem,andtriedtomakethemseehowperfectlyhopelessitwastoresistthecompaniesanddriveoffthenewmen,hemightdosomegood?Ihavewantedtogoandtry;butIamawoman,andImustn\'t!Ishouldn\'tbeafraidofthestrikers,butI\'mafraidofwhatpeoplewouldsay!\"Conradkeptpressinghishandkerchieftothecutinhistemple,whichhethoughtmightbebleeding,andnowshenoticedthis。\"Areyouhurt,Mr。Dryfoos?
Youlooksopale。\"
\"No,it\'snothing——alittlescratchI\'vegot。\"
\"Indeed,youlookpale。Haveyouacarriage?Howwillyougethome?
Willyougetinherewithmeandletmedriveyou?\"
\"No,no,\"saidConrad,smilingatherexcitement。\"I\'mperfectlywell——\"
\"Andyoudon\'tthinkI\'mfoolishandwickedforstoppingyouhereandtalkinginthisway?ButIknowyoufeelasIdo!\"
\"Yes,Ifeelasyoudo。Youareright——rightineveryway——Imustn\'tkeepyou——Good-bye。\"Hesteppedbacktobow,butsheputherbeautifulhandoutofthewindow,andwhenhetookitshewrunghishandhard。
\"Thankyou,thankyou!Youaregoodandyouarejust!Butnoonecandoanything。It\'suseless!\"
Thetypeofirreproachablecoachmanontheboxwhoserespectabilityhadsufferedthroughthestrangebehaviorofhismistressinthisinterviewdrovequicklyoffathersignal,andConradstoodamomentlookingafterthecarriage。Hisheartwasfullofjoy;itleaped;hethoughtitwouldburst。Asheturnedtowalkawayitseemedtohimasifhemountedupontheair。Thetrustshehadshownhim,thepraiseshehadgivenhim,thatcrushofthehand:hehopednothing,heformednoideafromit,butitallfilledhimwithlovethatcastoutthepainandshamehehadbeensuffering。Hebelievedthathecouldneverbeunhappyanymore;thehardnessthatwasinhismindtowardhisfatherwentoutofit;hesawhowsorelyhehadtriedhim;hegrievedthathehaddoneit,butthemeans,thedifferenceofhisfeelingaboutthecauseoftheirquarrel,hewassolemnlygladofthatsinceshesharedit。Hewasonlysorryforhisfather。\"Poorfather!\"hesaidunderhisbreathashewentalong。
Heexplainedtoherabouthisfatherinhisreverie,andshepitiedhisfather,too。
HewaswalkingovertowardtheWestSide,aimlesslyatfirst,andthenattimeswiththelongingtodosomethingtosavethosemistakenmenfromthemselvesformingitselfintoapurpose。Wasnotthatwhatshemeantwhenshebewailedherwoman\'shelplessness?Shemusthavewishedhimtotryifhe,beingaman,couldnotdosomething;orifshedidnot,stillhewouldtry,andifsheheardofitshewouldrecallwhatshehadsaidandwouldbegladhehadunderstoodherso。Thinkingofherpleasureinwhathewasgoingtodo,heforgotalmostwhatitwas;butwhenhecametoastreet-cartrackherememberedit,andlookedupanddowntoseeiftherewereanyturbulentgatheringofmenwhomhemightminglewithandhelptokeepfromviolence。Hesawnoneanywhere;andthensuddenly,asifatthesamemoment,forinhisexaltedmoodalleventshadadream-
likesimultaneity,hestoodatthecornerofanavenue,andinthemiddleofit,alittlewayoff,wasastreet-car,andaroundthecaratumultofshouting,cursing,strugglingmen。Thedriverwaslashinghishorsesforward,andapolicemanwasattheirheads,withtheconductor,pullingthem;stones,clubs,brickbatshaileduponthecar,thehorses,thementryingtomovethem。Themobclosedupontheminabody,andthenapatrol-wagonwhirledupfromtheotherside,andasquadofpolicemenleapedoutandbegantoclubtherioters。Conradcouldseehowtheystruckthemundertherimsoftheirhats;theblowsontheirskullssoundedasiftheyhadfallenonstone;theriotersraninalldirections。
OneoftheofficersrusheduptowardthecornerwhereConradstood,andthenhesawathissideatall,oldman,withalong,whitebeard,whowascallingoutatthepolicemen:\"Ah,yes!Glupthestrikerss——gifittothem!Whydon\'tyoucoandglupthebresidentsthatinsoaltyourlawss,andgickyourBoartofArpidrationout-of-toors?Glupthestrikerss