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