Dismissingthedrivershetookthereinsinherownhandsanddroveoffattopspeedthroughthestreets。Ifapedestriangotinherwayshedrovestraightaheadandthefrightenedcitizenhadtoes-
capeasbesthecould。Tothepeopleofthetownitseemedasthoughshewantedtorunthemdown。
Whenshehaddriventhroughseveralstreets，tear-
ingaroundcornersandbeatingthehorseswiththewhip，shedroveoffintothecountry。Onthecountryroadsaftershehadgottenoutofsightofthehousessheletthehorsesslowdowntoawalkandherwild，recklessmoodpassed。Shebecamethoughtfulandmutteredwords。Sometimestearscameintohereyes。Andthenwhenshecamebackintotownsheagaindrovefuriouslythroughthequietstreets。Butfortheinfluenceofherhusbandandtherespectheinspiredinpeople\'smindsshewouldhavebeenarrestedmorethanoncebythetownmarshal。
YoungDavidHardygrewupinthehousewiththiswomanandascanwellbeimaginedtherewasnotmuchjoyinhischildhood。Hewastooyoungthentohaveopinionsofhisownaboutpeople，butattimesitwasdifficultforhimnottohaveverydefiniteopinionsaboutthewomanwhowashismother。Davidwasalwaysaquiet，orderlyboyandforalongtimewasthoughtbythepeopleofWines-
burgtobesomethingofadullard。Hiseyeswerebrownandasachildhehadahabitoflookingatthingsandpeoplealongtimewithoutappearingtoseewhathewaslookingat。Whenheheardhismotherspokenofharshlyorwhenheoverheardherberatinghisfather，hewasfrightenedandranawaytohide。Sometimeshecouldnotfindahidingplaceandthatconfusedhim。Turninghisfacetowardatreeorifhewasindoorstowardthewall，heclosedhiseyesandtriednottothinkofanything。Hehadahabitoftalkingaloudtohimself，andearlyinlifeaspiritofquietsadnessoftentookpossessionofhim。
OntheoccasionswhenDavidwenttovisithisgrandfatherontheBentleyfarm，hewasaltogethercontentedandhappy。Oftenhewishedthathewouldneverhavetogobacktotownandoncewhenhehadcomehomefromthefarmafteralongvisit，somethinghappenedthathadalastingeffectonhismind。
Davidhadcomebackintotownwithoneofthehiredmen。ThemanwasinahurrytogoabouthisownaffairsandlefttheboyattheheadofthestreetinwhichtheHardyhousestood。Itwasearlyduskofafalleveningandtheskywasovercastwithclouds。SomethinghappenedtoDavid。Hecouldnotbeartogointothehousewherehismotherandfatherlived，andonanimpulsehedecidedtorunawayfromhome。Heintendedtogobacktothefarmandtohisgrandfather，butlosthiswayandforhourshewanderedweepingandfrightenedoncountryroads。Itstartedtorainandlightningflashedinthesky。Theboy\'simaginationwasex-
citedandhefanciedthathecouldseeandhearstrangethingsinthedarkness。Intohismindcametheconvictionthathewaswalkingandrunninginsometerriblevoidwherenoonehadeverbeenbe-
fore。Thedarknessabouthimseemedlimitless。Thesoundofthewindblowingintreeswasterrifying。
Whenateamofhorsesapproachedalongtheroadinwhichhewalkedhewasfrightenedandclimbedafence。Throughafieldheranuntilhecameintoanotherroadandgettinguponhiskneesfeltofthesoftgroundwithhisfingers。Butforthefigureofhisgrandfather，whomhewasafraidhewouldneverfindinthedarkness，hethoughttheworldmustbealtogetherempty。Whenhiscrieswereheardbyafarmerwhowaswalkinghomefromtownandhewasbroughtbacktohisfather\'shouse，hewassotiredandexcitedthathedidnotknowwhatwashappeningtohim。
BychanceDavid\'sfatherknewthathehaddisap-
peared。OnthestreethehadmetthefarmhandfromtheBentleyplaceandknewofhisson\'sreturntotown。WhentheboydidnotcomehomeanalarmwassetupandJohnHardywithseveralmenofthetownwenttosearchthecountry。ThereportthatDavidhadbeenkidnappedranaboutthroughthestreetsofWinesburg。Whenhecamehometherewerenolightsinthehouse，buthismotherap-
pearedandclutchedhimeagerlyinherarms。Davidthoughtshehadsuddenlybecomeanotherwoman。
Hecouldnotbelievethatsodelightfulathinghadhappened。WithherownhandsLouiseHardybathedhistiredyoungbodyandcookedhimfood。Shewouldnotlethimgotobedbut，whenhehadputonhisnightgown，blewoutthelightsandsatdowninachairtoholdhiminherarms。Foranhourthewomansatinthedarknessandheldherboy。Allthetimeshekepttalkinginalowvoice。Davidcouldnotunderstandwhathadsochangedher。Herhabit-
uallydissatisfiedfacehadbecome，hethought，themostpeacefulandlovelythinghehadeverseen。
Whenhebegantoweepsheheldhimmoreandmoretightly。Onandonwenthervoice。Itwasnotharshorshrillaswhenshetalkedtoherhusband，butwaslikerainfallingontrees。Presentlymenbegancomingtothedoortoreportthathehadnotbeenfound，butshemadehimhideandbesilentuntilshehadsentthemaway。Hethoughtitmustbeagamehismotherandthemenofthetownwereplayingwithhimandlaughedjoyously。Intohismindcamethethoughtthathishavingbeenlostandfrightenedinthedarknesswasanaltogetherunimportantmatter。Hethoughtthathewouldhavebeenwillingtogothroughthefrightfulexperienceathousandtimestobesureoffindingattheendofthelongblackroadathingsolovelyashismotherhadsuddenlybecome。
DuringthelastyearsofyoungDavid\'sboyhoodhesawhismotherbutseldomandshebecameforhimjustawomanwithwhomhehadoncelived。
Stillhecouldnotgetherfigureoutofhismindandashegrewolderitbecamemoredefinite。WhenhewastwelveyearsoldhewenttotheBentleyfarmtolive。OldJessecameintotownandfairlyde-
mandedthathebegivenchargeoftheboy。Theoldmanwasexcitedanddeterminedonhavinghisownway。HetalkedtoJohnHardyintheofficeoftheWinesburgSavingsBankandthenthetwomenwenttothehouseonElmStreettotalkwithLouise。
Theybothexpectedhertomaketroublebutweremistaken。ShewasveryquietandwhenJessehadexplainedhismissionandhadgoneonatsomelengthabouttheadvantagestocomethroughhavingtheboyoutofdoorsandinthequietatmosphereoftheoldfarmhouse，shenoddedherheadinap-
proval。\"Itisanatmospherenotcorruptedbymypresence，\"shesaidsharply。Hershouldersshookandsheseemedabouttoflyintoafitoftemper。\"Itisaplaceforamanchild，althoughitwasneveraplaceforme，\"shewenton。\"Youneverwantedmethereandofcoursetheairofyourhousedidmenogood。Itwaslikepoisoninmybloodbutitwillbedifferentwithhim。\"
Louiseturnedandwentoutoftheroom，leavingthetwomentositinembarrassedsilence。Asveryoftenhappenedshelaterstayedinherroomfordays。Evenwhentheboy\'sclotheswerepackedandhewastakenawayshedidnotappear。Thelossofhersonmadeasharpbreakinherlifeandsheseemedlessinclinedtoquarrelwithherhusband。
JohnHardythoughtithadallturnedoutverywellindeed。
AndsoyoungDavidwenttoliveintheBentleyfarmhousewithJesse。Twooftheoldfarmer\'ssisterswerealiveandstilllivedinthehouse。TheywereafraidofJesseandrarelyspokewhenhewasabout。
Oneofthewomenwhohadbeennotedforherflamingredhairwhenshewasyoungerwasabornmotherandbecametheboy\'scaretaker。Everynightwhenhehadgonetobedshewentintohisroomandsatontheflooruntilhefellasleep。Whenhebecamedrowsyshebecameboldandwhisperedthingsthathelaterthoughthemusthavedreamed。
Hersoftlowvoicecalledhimendearingnamesandhedreamedthathismotherhadcometohimandthatshehadchangedsothatshewasalwaysasshehadbeenthattimeafterheranaway。Healsogrewboldandreachingouthishandstrokedthefaceofthewomanonthefloorsothatshewasec-
staticallyhappy。Everyoneintheoldhousebecamehappyaftertheboywentthere。ThehardinsistentthinginJesseBentleythathadkeptthepeopleinthehousesilentandtimidandthathadneverbeendispelledbythepresenceofthegirlLouisewasap-
parentlysweptawaybythecomingoftheboy。ItwasasthoughGodhadrelentedandsentasontotheman。
ThemanwhohadproclaimedhimselftheonlytrueservantofGodinallthevalleyofWineCreek，andwhohadwantedGodtosendhimasignofapprovalbywayofasonoutofthewombofKather-
ine，begantothinkthatatlasthisprayershadbeenanswered。Althoughhewasatthattimeonlyfifty-
fiveyearsoldhelookedseventyandwaswornoutwithmuchthinkingandscheming。Theefforthehadmadetoextendhislandholdingshadbeensuc-
cessfulandtherewerefewfarmsinthevalleythatdidnotbelongtohim，butuntilDavidcamehewasabitterlydisappointedman。
ThereweretwoinfluencesatworkinJesseBent-
leyandallhislifehismindhadbeenabattlegroundfortheseinfluences。Firsttherewastheoldthinginhim。HewantedtobeamanofGodandaleaderamongmenofGod。Hiswalkinginthefieldsandthroughtheforestsatnighthadbroughthimclosetonatureandtherewereforcesinthepassionatelyreligiousmanthatranouttotheforcesinnature。
ThedisappointmentthathadcometohimwhenadaughterandnotasonhadbeenborntoKatherinehadfallenuponhimlikeablowstruckbysomeunseenhandandtheblowhadsomewhatsoftenedhisegotism。HestillbelievedthatGodmightatanymomentmakehimselfmanifestoutofthewindsortheclouds，buthenolongerdemandedsuchrecog-
nition。Insteadheprayedforit。SometimeshewasaltogetherdoubtfulandthoughtGodhaddesertedtheworld。Heregrettedthefatethathadnotlethimliveinasimplerandsweetertimewhenatthebeckoningofsomestrangecloudintheskymenlefttheirlandsandhousesandwentforthintothewildernesstocreatenewraces。Whileheworkednightanddaytomakehisfarmsmoreproductiveandtoextendhisholdingsofland，heregrettedthathecouldnotusehisownrestlessenergyinthebuildingoftemples，theslayingofunbelieversandingeneralintheworkofglorifyingGod\'snameonearth。
ThatiswhatJessehungeredforandthenalsohehungeredforsomethingelse。HehadgrownintomaturityinAmericaintheyearsaftertheCivilWarandhe，likeallmenofhistime，hadbeentouchedbythedeepinfluencesthatwereatworkinthecountryduringthoseyearswhenmodemindustrial-
ismwasbeingborn。HebegantobuymachinesthatwouldpermithimtodotheworkofthefarmswhileemployingfewermenandhesometimesthoughtthatifhewereayoungermanhewouldgiveupfarmingaltogetherandstartafactoryinWinesburgforthemakingofmachinery。Jesseformedthehabitofreadingnewspapersandmagazines。Heinventedamachineforthemakingoffenceoutofwire。
Faintlyherealizedthattheatmosphereofoldtimesandplacesthathehadalwayscultivatedinhisownmindwasstrangeandforeigntothethingthatwasgrowingupinthemindsofothers。Thebeginningofthemostmaterialisticageinthehistoryoftheworld，whenwarswouldbefoughtwithoutpatrio-
tism，whenmenwouldforgetGodandonlypayattentiontomoralstandards，whenthewilltopowerwouldreplacethewilltoserveandbeautywouldbewell-nighforgottenintheterribleheadlongrushofmankindtowardtheacquiringofpossessions，wastellingitsstorytoJessethemanofGodasitwastothemenabouthim。Thegreedythinginhimwantedtomakemoneyfasterthanitcouldbemadebytillingtheland。MorethanoncehewentintoWinesburgtotalkwithhisson-in-lawJohnHardyaboutit。\"YouareabankerandyouwillhavechancesIneverhad，\"hesaidandhiseyesshone。
\"Iamthinkingaboutitallthetime。BigthingsaregoingtobedoneinthecountryandtherewillbemoremoneytobemadethanIeverdreamedof。
Yougetintoit。IwishIwereyoungerandhadyourchance。\"JesseBentleywalkedupanddowninthebankofficeandgrewmoreandmoreexcitedashetalked。Atonetimeinhislifehehadbeenthreat-
enedwithparalysisandhisleftsideremainedsome-
whatweakened。Ashetalkedhislefteyelidtwitched。
LaterwhenhedrovebackhomeandwhennightcameonandthestarscameoutitwashardertogetbacktheoldfeelingofacloseandpersonalGodwholivedintheskyoverheadandwhomightatanymomentreachouthishand，touchhimontheshoulder，andappointforhimsomeheroictasktobedone。Jesse\'smindwasfixeduponthethingsreadinnewspapersandmagazines，onfortunestobemadealmostwithouteffortbyshrewdmenwhoboughtandsold。ForhimthecomingoftheboyDaviddidmuchtobringbackwithrenewedforcetheoldfaithanditseemedtohimthatGodhadatlastlookedwithfavoruponhim。
Asfortheboyonthefarm，lifebegantorevealitselftohiminathousandnewanddelightfulways。
Thekindlyattitudeofallabouthimexpandedhisquietnatureandhelostthehalftimid，hesitatingmannerhehadalwayshadwithhispeople。Atnightwhenhewenttobedafteralongdayofadventuresinthestables，inthefields，ordrivingaboutfromfarmtofarmwithhisgrandfather，hewantedtoembraceeveryoneinthehouse。IfSherleyBentley，thewomanwhocameeachnighttositonthefloorbyhisbedside，didnotappearatonce，hewenttotheheadofthestairsandshouted，hisyoungvoiceringingthroughthenarrowhallswhereforsolongtherehadbeenatraditionofsilence。Inthemorningwhenheawokeandlaystillinbed，thesoundsthatcameintohimthroughthewindowsfilledhimwithdelight。HethoughtwithashudderofthelifeinthehouseinWinesburgandofhismother\'sangryvoicethathadalwaysmadehimtremble。Thereinthecountryallsoundswerepleasantsounds。Whenheawokeatdawnthebarnyardbackofthehousealsoawoke。Inthehousepeoplestirredabout。ElizaStoughtonthehalf-wittedgirlwaspokedintheribsbyafarmhandandgigglednoisily，insomedistantfieldacowbawledandwasansweredbythecattleinthestables，andoneofthefarmhandsspokesharplytothehorsehewasgroomingbythestabledoor。Davidleapedoutofbedandrantoawindow。
Allofthepeoplestirringaboutexcitedhismind，andhewonderedwhathismotherwasdoinginthehouseintown。
Fromthewindowsofhisownroomhecouldnotseedirectlyintothebarnyardwherethefarmhandshadnowallassembledtodothemorningshores，buthecouldhearthevoicesofthemenandtheneighingofthehorses。Whenoneofthemenlaughed，helaughedalso。Leaningoutattheopenwindow，helookedintoanorchardwhereafatsowwanderedaboutwithalitteroftinypigsatherheels。Everymorninghecountedthepigs。\"Four，five，six，seven，\"hesaidslowly，wettinghisfingerandmakingstraightupanddownmarksonthewindowledge。Davidrantoputonhistrousersandshirt。Afeverishdesiretogetoutofdoorstookpos-
sessionofhim。EverymorninghemadesuchanoisecomingdownstairsthatAuntCallie，thehouse-
keeper，declaredhewastryingtotearthehousedown。Whenhehadrunthroughthelongoldhouse，shuttingthedoorsbehindhimwithabang，hecameintothebarnyardandlookedaboutwithanamazedairofexpectancy。Itseemedtohimthatinsuchaplacetremendousthingsmighthavehap-
penedduringthenight。Thefarmhandslookedathimandlaughed。HenryStrader，anoldmanwhohadbeenonthefarmsinceJessecameintoposses-
sionandwhobeforeDavid\'stimehadneverbeenknowntomakeajoke，madethesamejokeeverymorning。ItamusedDavidsothathelaughedandclappedhishands。\"See，comehereandlook，\"criedtheoldman。\"GrandfatherJesse\'swhitemarehastomtheblackstockingshewearsonherfoot。\"
Dayafterdaythroughthelongsummer，JesseBentleydrovefromfarmtofarmupanddownthevalleyofWineCreek，andhisgrandsonwentwithhim。Theyrodeinacomfortableoldphaetondrawnbythewhitehorse。Theoldmanscratchedhisthinwhitebeardandtalkedtohimselfofhisplansforincreasingtheproductivenessofthefieldstheyvis-
itedandofGod\'spartintheplansallmenmade。
SometimeshelookedatDavidandsmiledhappilyandthenforalongtimeheappearedtoforgettheboy\'sexistence。Moreandmoreeverydaynowhismindturnedbackagaintothedreamsthathadfilledhismindwhenhehadfirstcomeoutofthecitytoliveontheland。OneafternoonhestartledDavidbylettinghisdreamstakeentirepossessionofhim。
Withtheboyasawitness，hewentthroughacere-
monyandbroughtaboutanaccidentthatnearlyde-
stroyedthecompanionshipthatwasgrowingupbetweenthem。
Jesseandhisgrandsonweredrivinginadistantpartofthevalleysomemilesfromhome。AforestcamedowntotheroadandthroughtheforestWineCreekwriggleditswayoverstonestowardadistantriver。AlltheafternoonJessehadbeeninamedita-
tivemoodandnowhebegantotalk。Hismindwentbacktothenightwhenhehadbeenfrightenedbythoughtsofagiantthatmightcometorobandplun-
derhimofhispossessions，andagainasonthatnightwhenhehadrunthroughthefieldscryingforason，hebecameexcitedtotheedgeofinsanity。
StoppingthehorsehegotoutofthebuggyandaskedDavidtogetoutalso。Thetwoclimbedoverafenceandwalkedalongthebankofthestream。
Theboypaidnoattentiontothemutteringofhisgrandfather，butranalongbesidehimandwon-
deredwhatwasgoingtohappen。Whenarabbitjumpedupandranawaythroughthewoods，heclappedhishandsanddancedwithdelight。Helookedatthetalltreesandwassorrythathewasnotalittleanimaltoclimbhighintheairwithoutbeingfrightened。Stooping，hepickedupasmallstoneandthrewitovertheheadofhisgrandfatherintoaclumpofbushes。\"Wakeup，littleanimal。Goandclimbtothetopofthetrees，\"heshoutedinashrillvoice。
JesseBentleywentalongunderthetreeswithhisheadbowedandwithhismindinaferment。Hisearnestnessaffectedtheboy，whopresentlybecamesilentandalittlealarmed。Intotheoldman\'smindhadcomethenotionthatnowhecouldbringfromGodawordorasignoutofthesky，thatthepres-
enceoftheboyandmanontheirkneesinsomelonelyspotintheforestwouldmakethemiraclehehadbeenwaitingforalmostinevitable。\"ItwasinjustsuchaplaceasthisthatotherDavidtendedthesheepwhenhisfathercameandtoldhimtogodownuntoSaul，\"hemuttered。
Takingtheboyratherroughlybytheshoulder，heclimbedoverafallenlogandwhenhehadcometoanopenplaceamongthetreeshedroppeduponhiskneesandbegantoprayinaloudvoice。
AkindofterrorhehadneverknownbeforetookpossessionofDavid。Crouchingbeneathatreehewatchedthemanonthegroundbeforehimandhisownkneesbegantotremble。Itseemedtohimthathewasinthepresencenotonlyofhisgrandfatherbutofsomeoneelse，someonewhomighthurthim，someonewhowasnotkindlybutdangerousandbrutal。Hebegantocryandreachingdownpickedupasmallstick，whichheheldtightlygrippedinhisfingers。WhenJesseBentley，absorbedinhisownidea，suddenlyaroseandadvancedtowardhim，histerrorgrewuntilhiswholebodyshook。Inthewoodsanintensesilenceseemedtolieoverevery-
thingandsuddenlyoutofthesilencecametheoldman\'sharshandinsistentvoice。Grippingtheboy\'sshoulders，Jesseturnedhisfacetotheskyandshouted。Thewholeleftsideofhisfacetwitchedandhishandontheboy\'sshouldertwitchedalso。
\"Makeasigntome，God，\"hecried。\"HereIstandwiththeboyDavid。ComedowntomeoutoftheskyandmakeThypresenceknowntome。\"
Withacryoffear，Davidturnedand，shakinghimselfloosefromthehandsthatheldhim，ranawaythroughtheforest。Hedidnotbelievethatthemanwhoturneduphisfaceandinaharshvoiceshoutedattheskywashisgrandfatheratall。Themandidnotlooklikehisgrandfather。Theconvic-
tionthatsomethingstrangeandterriblehadhap-
pened，thatbysomemiracleanewanddangerouspersonhadcomeintothebodyofthekindlyoldman，tookpossessionofhim。Onandonherandownthehillside，sobbingasheran。Whenhefellovertherootsofatreeandinfallingstruckhishead，hearoseandtriedtorunonagain。Hisheadhurtsothatpresentlyhefelldownandlaystill，butitwasonlyafterJessehadcarriedhimtothebuggyandheawoketofindtheoldman\'shandstrokinghisheadtenderlythattheterrorlefthim。\"Takemeaway。Thereisaterriblemanbackthereinthewoods，\"hedeclaredfirmly，whileJesselookedawayoverthetopsofthetreesandagainhislipscriedouttoGod。\"WhathaveIdonethatThoudostnotapproveofme，\"hewhisperedsoftly，sayingthewordsoverandoverashedroverapidlyalongtheroadwiththeboy\'scutandbleedingheadheldten-
derlyagainsthisshoulder。
III
SurrenderTHESTORYOFLouiseBentley，whobecameMrs。JohnHardyandlivedwithherhusbandinabrickhouseonElmStreetinWinesburg，isastoryofmis-
understanding。
BeforesuchwomenasLouisecanbeunderstoodandtheirlivesmadelivable，muchwillhavetobedone。Thoughtfulbookswillhavetobewrittenandthoughtfulliveslivedbypeopleaboutthem。
Bornofadelicateandoverworkedmother，andanimpulsive，hard，imaginativefather，whodidnotlookwithfavoruponhercomingintotheworld，Louisewasfromchildhoodaneurotic，oneoftheraceofover-sensitivewomenthatinlaterdaysin-
dustrialismwastobringinsuchgreatnumbersintotheworld。
DuringherearlyyearsshelivedontheBentleyfarm，asilent，moodychild，wantinglovemorethananythingelseintheworldandnotgettingit。WhenshewasfifteenshewenttoliveinWinesburgwiththefamilyofAlbertHardy，whohadastoreforthesaleofbuggiesandwagons，andwhowasamemberofthetownboardofeducation。
LouisewentintotowntobeastudentintheWinesburgHighSchoolandshewenttoliveattheHardys\'becauseAlbertHardyandherfatherwerefriends。
Hardy，thevehiclemerchantofWinesburg，likethousandsofothermenofhistimes，wasanenthu-
siastonthesubjectofeducation。Hehadmadehisownwayintheworldwithoutlearninggotfrombooks，buthewasconvincedthathadhebutknownbooksthingswouldhavegonebetterwithhim。Toeveryonewhocameintohisshophetalkedofthematter，andinhisownhouseholdhedrovehisfam-
ilydistractedbyhisconstantharpingonthesubject。
Hehadtwodaughtersandoneson，JohnHardy，andmorethanoncethedaughtersthreatenedtoleaveschoolaltogether。Asamatterofprincipletheydidjustenoughworkintheirclassestoavoidpun-
ishment。\"IhatebooksandIhateanyonewholikesbooks，\"Harriet，theyoungerofthetwogirls，de-
claredpassionately。
InWinesburgasonthefarmLouisewasnothappy。Foryearsshehaddreamedofthetimewhenshecouldgoforthintotheworld，andshelookeduponthemoveintotheHardyhouseholdasagreatstepinthedirectionoffreedom。Alwayswhenshehadthoughtofthematter，ithadseemedtoherthatintownallmustbegaietyandlife，thattheremenandwomenmustlivehappilyandfreely，givingandtakingfriendshipandaffectionasonetakesthefeelofawindonthecheek。AfterthesilenceandthecheerlessnessoflifeintheBentleyhouse，shedreamedofsteppingforthintoanatmospherethatwaswarmandpulsatingwithlifeandreality。AndintheHardyhouseholdLouisemighthavegotsomethingofthethingforwhichshesohungeredbutforamistakeshemadewhenshehadjustcometotown。
LouisewonthedisfavorofthetwoHardygirls，MaryandHarriet，byherapplicationtoherstudiesinschool。Shedidnotcometothehouseuntilthedaywhenschoolwastobeginandknewnothingofthefeelingtheyhadinthematter。Shewastimidandduringthefirstmonthmadenoacquaintances。
EveryFridayafternoononeofthehiredmenfromthefarmdroveintoWinesburgandtookherhomefortheweek-end，sothatshedidnotspendtheSaturdayholidaywiththetownpeople。Becauseshewasembarrassedandlonelysheworkedconstantlyatherstudies。ToMaryandHarriet，itseemedasthoughshetriedtomaketroubleforthembyherproficiency。InhereagernesstoappearwellLouisewantedtoanswereveryquestionputtotheclassbytheteacher。Shejumpedupanddownandhereyesflashed。Thenwhenshehadansweredsomeques-
tiontheothersintheclasshadbeenunabletoan-
swer，shesmiledhappily。\"See，Ihavedoneitforyou，\"hereyesseemedtosay。\"Youneednotbotheraboutthematter。Iwillanswerallquestions。ForthewholeclassitwillbeeasywhileIamhere。\"
IntheeveningaftersupperintheHardyhouse，AlbertHardybegantopraiseLouise。Oneoftheteachershadspokenhighlyofherandhewasde-
lighted。\"Well，againIhaveheardofit，\"hebegan，lookinghardathisdaughtersandthenturningtosmileatLouise。\"AnotheroftheteachershastoldmeofthegoodworkLouiseisdoing。EveryoneinWinesburgistellingmehowsmartsheis。Iamashamedthattheydonotspeaksoofmyowngirls。\"Arising，themerchantmarchedabouttheroomandlightedhiseveningcigar。
Thetwogirlslookedateachotherandshooktheirheadswearily。Seeingtheirindifferencethefatherbecameangry。\"Itellyouitissomethingforyoutwotobethinkingabout，\"hecried，glaringatthem。
\"ThereisabigchangecominghereinAmericaandinlearningistheonlyhopeofthecominggenera-
tions。Louiseisthedaughterofarichmanbutsheisnotashamedtostudy。Itshouldmakeyouashamedtoseewhatshedoes。\"
Themerchanttookhishatfromarackbythedoorandpreparedtodepartfortheevening。Atthedoorhestoppedandglaredback。Sofiercewashisman-
nerthatLouisewasfrightenedandranupstairstoherownroom。Thedaughtersbegantospeakoftheirownaffairs。\"Payattentiontome，\"roaredthemerchant。\"Yourmindsarelazy。Yourindifferencetoeducationisaffectingyourcharacters。Youwillamounttonothing。NowmarkwhatIsay——Louisewillbesofaraheadofyouthatyouwillnevercatchup。\"
Thedistractedmanwentoutofthehouseandintothestreetshakingwithwrath。Hewentalongmutteringwordsandswearing，butwhenhegotintoMainStreethisangerpassed。Hestoppedtotalkoftheweatherorthecropswithsomeothermerchantorwithafarmerwhohadcomeintotownandforgothisdaughtersaltogetheror，ifhethoughtofthem，onlyshruggedhisshoulders。\"Oh，well，girlswillbegirls，\"hemutteredphilosophically。
InthehousewhenLouisecamedownintotheroomwherethetwogirlssat，theywouldhavenoth-
ingtodowithher。Oneeveningaftershehadbeenthereformorethansixweeksandwasheartbrokenbecauseofthecontinuedairofcoldnesswithwhichshewasalwaysgreeted，sheburstintotears。\"Shutupyourcryingandgobacktoyourownroomandtoyourbooks，\"MaryHardysaidsharply。
***
TheroomoccupiedbyLouisewasonthesecondflooroftheHardyhouse，andherwindowlookedoutuponanorchard。TherewasastoveintheroomandeveryeveningyoungJohnHardycarriedupanarmfulofwoodandputitinaboxthatstoodbythewall。Duringthesecondmonthaftershecametothehouse，LouisegaveupallhopeofgettingonafriendlyfootingwiththeHardygirlsandwenttoherownroomassoonastheeveningmealwasatanend。
HermindbegantoplaywiththoughtsofmakingfriendswithJohnHardy。Whenhecameintotheroomwiththewoodinhisarms，shepretendedtobebusywithherstudiesbutwatchedhimeagerly。
Whenhehadputthewoodintheboxandturnedtogoout，sheputdownherheadandblushed。Shetriedtomaketalkbutcouldsaynothing，andafterhehadgoneshewasangryatherselfforherstupidity。
Themindofthecountrygirlbecamefilledwiththeideaofdrawingclosetotheyoungman。Shethoughtthatinhimmightbefoundthequalityshehadallherlifebeenseekinginpeople。Itseemedtoherthatbetweenherselfandalltheotherpeopleintheworld，awallhadbeenbuiltupandthatshewaslivingjustontheedgeofsomewarminnercircleoflifethatmustbequiteopenandunder-
standabletoothers。Shebecameobsessedwiththethoughtthatitwantedbutacourageousactonherparttomakeallofherassociationwithpeoplesome-
thingquitedifferent，andthatitwaspossiblebysuchanacttopassintoanewlifeasoneopensadoorandgoesintoaroom。Dayandnightshethoughtofthematter，butalthoughthethingshewantedsoearnestlywassomethingverywarmandcloseithadasyetnoconsciousconnectionwithsex。Ithadnotbecomethatdefinite，andhermindhadonlyalighteduponthepersonofJohnHardybecausehewasathandandunlikehissistershadnotbeenun-
friendlytoher。
TheHardysisters，MaryandHarriet，werebotholderthanLouise。Inacertainkindofknowledgeoftheworldtheywereyearsolder。TheylivedasalloftheyoungwomenofMiddleWesterntownslived。InthosedaysyoungwomendidnotgooutofourtownstoEasterncollegesandideasinregardtosocialclasseshadhardlybeguntoexist。Adaugh-
terofalaborerwasinmuchthesamesocialpositionasadaughterofafarmeroramerchant，andtherewerenoleisureclasses。Agirlwas\"nice\"orshewas\"notnice。\"Ifanicegirl，shehadayoungmanwhocametoherhousetoseeheronSundayandonWednesdayevenings。Sometimesshewentwithheryoungmantoadanceorachurchsocial。Atothertimesshereceivedhimatthehouseandwasgiventheuseoftheparlorforthatpurpose。Noonein-
trudeduponher。Forhoursthetwosatbehindcloseddoors。Sometimesthelightswereturnedlowandtheyoungmanandwomanembraced。Cheeksbecamehotandhairdisarranged。Afterayearortwo，iftheimpulsewithinthembecamestrongandinsistentenough，theymarried。
OneeveningduringherfirstwinterinWinesburg，LouisehadanadventurethatgaveanewimpulsetoherdesiretobreakdownthewallthatshethoughtstoodbetweenherandJohnHardy。ItwasWednesdayandimmediatelyaftertheeveningmealAlbertHardyputonhishatandwentaway。YoungJohnbroughtthewoodandputitintheboxinLouise\'sroom。\"Youdoworkhard，don\'tyou？\"hesaidawkwardly，andthenbeforeshecouldanswerhealsowentaway。
Louiseheardhimgooutofthehouseandhadamaddesiretorunafterhim。Openingherwindowsheleanedoutandcalledsoftly，\"John，dearJohn，comeback，don\'tgoaway。\"Thenightwascloudyandshecouldnotseefarintothedarkness，butasshewaitedshefanciedshecouldhearasoftlittlenoiseasofsomeonegoingontiptoesthroughthetreesintheorchard。Shewasfrightenedandclosedthewindowquickly。Foranhourshemovedabouttheroomtremblingwithexcitementandwhenshecouldnotlongerbearthewaiting，shecreptintothehallanddownthestairsintoacloset-likeroomthatopenedofftheparlor。
Louisehaddecidedthatshewouldperformthecourageousactthathadforweeksbeeninhermind。
ShewasconvincedthatJohnHardyhadconcealedhimselfintheorchardbeneathherwindowandshewasdeterminedtofindhimandtellhimthatshewantedhimtocomeclosetoher，toholdherinhisarms，totellherofhisthoughtsanddreamsandtolistenwhileshetoldhimherthoughtsanddreams。
\"Inthedarknessitwillbeeasiertosaythings，\"shewhisperedtoherself，asshestoodinthelittleroomgropingforthedoor。
AndthensuddenlyLouiserealizedthatshewasnotaloneinthehouse。Intheparlorontheothersideofthedooraman\'svoicespokesoftlyandthedooropened。LouisejusthadtimetoconcealherselfinalittleopeningbeneaththestairwaywhenMaryHardy，accompaniedbyheryoungman，cameintothelittledarkroom。
ForanhourLouisesatonthefloorinthedarknessandlistened。WithoutwordsMaryHardy，withtheaidofthemanwhohadcometospendtheeveningwithher，broughttothecountrygirlaknowledgeofmenandwomen。Puttingherheaddownuntilshewascurledintoalittleballshelayperfectlystill。
Itseemedtoherthatbysomestrangeimpulseofthegods，agreatgifthadbeenbroughttoMaryHardyandshecouldnotunderstandtheolderwom-
an\'sdeterminedprotest。
TheyoungmantookMaryHardyintohisarmsandkissedher。Whenshestruggledandlaughed，hebutheldherthemoretightly。ForanhourthecontestbetweenthemwentonandthentheywentbackintotheparlorandLouiseescapedupthestairs。\"Ihopeyouwerequietoutthere。Youmustnotdisturbthelittlemouseatherstudies，\"sheheardHarrietsayingtohersisterasshestoodbyherowndoorinthehallwayabove。
LouisewroteanotetoJohnHardyandlatethatnight，whenallinthehousewereasleep，shecreptdownstairsandslippeditunderhisdoor。Shewasafraidthatifshedidnotdothethingatoncehercouragewouldfail。Inthenoteshetriedtobequitedefiniteaboutwhatshewanted。\"IwantsomeonetolovemeandIwanttolovesomeone，\"shewrote。
\"IfyouaretheoneformeIwantyoutocomeintotheorchardatnightandmakeanoiseundermywindow。Itwillbeeasyformetocrawldownovertheshedandcometoyou。Iamthinkingaboutitallthetime，soifyouaretocomeatallyoumustcomesoon。\"
ForalongtimeLouisedidnotknowwhatwouldbetheoutcomeofherboldattempttosecureforherselfalover。Inawayshestilldidnotknowwhetherornotshewantedhimtocome。Sometimesitseemedtoherthattobeheldtightlyandkissedwasthewholesecretoflife，andthenanewimpulsecameandshewasterriblyafraid。Theage-oldwom-
an\'sdesiretobepossessedhadtakenpossessionofher，butsovaguewashernotionoflifethatitseemedtoherjustthetouchofJohnHardy\'shanduponherownhandwouldsatisfy。Shewonderedifhewouldunderstandthat。AtthetablenextdaywhileAlbertHardytalkedandthetwogirlswhis-
peredandlaughed，shedidnotlookatJohnbutatthetableandassoonaspossibleescaped。Intheeveningshewentoutofthehouseuntilshewassurehehadtakenthewoodtoherroomandgoneaway。Whenafterseveraleveningsofintenselis-
teningsheheardnocallfromthedarknessintheorchard，shewashalfbesideherselfwithgriefanddecidedthatforhertherewasnowaytobreakthroughthewallthathadshutherofffromthejoyoflife。
AndthenonaMondayeveningtwoorthreeweeksafterthewritingofthenote，JohnHardycameforher。Louisehadsoentirelygivenupthethoughtofhiscomingthatforalongtimeshedidnothearthecallthatcameupfromtheorchard。OntheFridayeveningbefore，asshewasbeingdrivenbacktothefarmfortheweek-endbyoneofthehiredmen，shehadonanimpulsedoneathingthathadstartledher，andasJohnHardystoodinthedarknessbelowandcalledhernamesoftlyandinsis-
tently，shewalkedaboutinherroomandwonderedwhatnewimpulsehadledhertocommitsoridicu-
lousanact。
Thefarmhand，ayoungfellowwithblackcurlyhair，hadcomeforhersomewhatlateonthatFridayeveningandtheydrovehomeinthedarkness。Lou-
ise，whosemindwasfilledwiththoughtsofJohnHardy，triedtomaketalkbutthecountryboywasembarrassedandwouldsaynothing。Hermindbegantoreviewthelonelinessofherchildhoodandsherememberedwithapangthesharpnewloneli-
nessthathadjustcometoher。\"Ihateeveryone，\"
shecriedsuddenly，andthenbrokeforthintoati-
radethatfrightenedherescort。\"IhatefatherandtheoldmanHardy，too，\"shedeclaredvehemently。
\"IgetmylessonsthereintheschoolintownbutI
hatethatalso。\"
Louisefrightenedthefarmhandstillmorebyturningandputtinghercheekdownuponhisshoul-
der。VaguelyshehopedthathelikethatyoungmanwhohadstoodinthedarknesswithMarywouldputhisarmsaboutherandkissher，butthecountryboywasonlyalarmed。Hestruckthehorsewiththewhipandbegantowhistle。\"Theroadisrough，eh？\"
hesaidloudly。Louisewassoangrythatreachingupshesnatchedhishatfromhisheadandthrewitintotheroad。Whenhejumpedoutofthebuggyandwenttogetit，shedroveoffandlefthimtowalktherestofthewaybacktothefarm。
LouiseBentleytookJohnHardytobeherlover。
Thatwasnotwhatshewantedbutitwassotheyoungmanhadinterpretedherapproachtohim，andsoanxiouswasshetoachievesomethingelsethatshemadenoresistance。Whenafterafewmonthstheywerebothafraidthatshewasabouttobecomeamother，theywentoneeveningtothecountyseatandweremarried。ForafewmonthstheylivedintheHardyhouseandthentookahouseoftheirown。AllduringthefirstyearLouisetriedtomakeherhusbandunderstandthevagueandin-
tangiblehungerthathadledtothewritingofthenoteandthatwasstillunsatisfied。Againandagainshecreptintohisarmsandtriedtotalkofit，butalwayswithoutsuccess。Filledwithhisownnotionsoflovebetweenmenandwomen，hedidnotlistenbutbegantokissheruponthelips。Thatconfusedhersothatintheendshedidnotwanttobekissed。
Shedidnotknowwhatshewanted。
Whenthealarmthathadtrickedthemintomar-
riageprovedtobegroundless，shewasangryandsaidbitter，hurtfulthings。LaterwhenhersonDavidwasborn，shecouldnotnursehimanddidnotknowwhethershewantedhimornot。Sometimesshestayedintheroomwithhimallday，walkingaboutandoccasionallycreepingclosetotouchhimtenderlywithherhands，andthenotherdayscamewhenshedidnotwanttoseeorbenearthetinybitofhumanitythathadcomeintothehouse。WhenJohnHardyreproachedherforhercruelty，shelaughed。\"Itisamanchildandwillgetwhatitwantsanyway，\"shesaidsharply。\"HaditbeenawomanchildthereisnothingintheworldIwouldnothavedoneforit。\"
IV
TerrorWHENDAVIDHARDYwasatallboyoffifteen，he，likehismother，hadanadventurethatchangedthewholecurrentofhislifeandsenthimoutofhisquietcornerintotheworld。Theshellofthecircum-
stancesofhislifewasbrokenandhewascompelledtostartforth。HeleftWinesburgandnoonethereeversawhimagain。Afterhisdisappearance，hismotherandgrandfatherbothdiedandhisfatherbe-
cameveryrich。Hespentmuchmoneyintryingtolocatehisson，butthatisnopartofthisstory。
ItwasinthelatefallofanunusualyearontheBentleyfarms。Everywherethecropshadbeenheavy。Thatspring，JessehadboughtpartofalongstripofblackswamplandthatlayinthevalleyofWineCreek。Hegotthelandatalowpricebuthadspentalargesumofmoneytoimproveit。Greatditcheshadtobedugandthousandsoftilelaid。
Neighboringfarmersshooktheirheadsovertheex-
pense。SomeofthemlaughedandhopedthatJessewouldloseheavilybytheventure，buttheoldmanwentsilentlyonwiththeworkandsaidnothing。
Whenthelandwasdrainedheplantedittocab-
bagesandonions，andagaintheneighborslaughed。
Thecropwas，however，enormousandbroughthighprices。IntheoneyearJessemadeenoughmoneytopayforallthecostofpreparingthelandandhadasurplusthatenabledhimtobuytwomorefarms。
Hewasexultantandcouldnotconcealhisdelight。
Forthefirsttimeinallthehistoryofhisownershipofthefarms，hewentamonghismenwithasmilingface。
Jesseboughtagreatmanynewmachinesforcut-
tingdownthecostoflaborandalloftheremainingacresinthestripofblackfertileswampland。OnedayhewentintoWinesburgandboughtabicycleandanewsuitofclothesforDavidandhegavehistwosistersmoneywithwhichtogotoareligiousconventionatCleveland，Ohio。
InthefallofthatyearwhenthefrostcameandthetreesintheforestsalongWineCreekweregoldenbrown，Davidspenteverymomentwhenhedidnothavetoattendschool，outintheopen。
Aloneorwithotherboyshewenteveryafternoonintothewoodstogathernuts。Theotherboysofthecountryside，mostofthemsonsoflaborersontheBentleyfarms，hadgunswithwhichtheywenthuntingrabbitsandsquirrels，butDaviddidnotgowiththem。Hemadehimselfaslingwithrubberbandsandaforkedstickandwentoffbyhimselftogathernuts。Ashewentaboutthoughtscametohim。Herealizedthathewasalmostamanandwon-
deredwhathewoulddoinlife，butbeforetheycametoanything，thethoughtspassedandhewasaboyagain。Onedayhekilledasquirrelthatsatononeofthelowerbranchesofatreeandchatteredathim。Homeheranwiththesquirrelinhishand。