Buttheweekhadnotpassed，whenDaylightnotedtheflashinDede’seyesthatbodedtrouble。”Something’sgonewrong——whatisit？”heaskedboldly。”Mab，”shesaid。”Themanwhoboughtherhassoldheralready。IfI
thoughtyouhadanythingtodowithit——””Idon’tevenknowwhoyousoldherto，”wasDaylight’sanswer。”Andwhat’smore，I’mnotbotheringmyheadabouther。Shewasyourmare，andit’snoneofmybusinesswhatyoudidwithher。Youhaven’tgother，that’ssureandworseluck。Andnow，whilewe’reontouchysubjects，I’mgoingtoopenanotheronewithyou。
Andyouneedn’tgettouchyaboutit，forit’snotreallyyourbusinessatall。”
Shewaitedinthepausethatfollowed，eyeinghimalmostsuspiciously。”It’saboutthatbrotherofyours。Heneedsmorethanyoucandoforhim。Sellingthatmareofyourswon’tsendhimtoGermany。Andthat’swhathisowndoctorssayheneeds——thatcrackGermanspecialistwhoripsaman’sbonesandmusclesintopulpandthenmoldsthemalloveragain。Well，I
wanttosendhimtoGermanyandgivethatcrackaflutter，that’sall。””Ifitwereonlypossible”shesaid，halfbreathlessly，andwhollywithoutanger。”Onlyitisn’t，andyouknowitisn’t。Ican’tacceptmoneyfromyou——””Holdon，now，”heinterrupted。”Wouldn’tyouacceptadrinkofwaterfromoneoftheTwelveApostlesifyouwasdyingofthirst？Orwouldyoubeafraidofhisevilintentions”——shemadeagestureofdissent”——oroffolksmightsayaboutit？””Butthat’sdifferent，”shebegan。”Nowlookhere，MissMason。You’vegottogetsomefoolishnotionsoutofyourhead。ThismoneynotionisoneofthefunniestthingsI’veseen。
Supposeyouwasfallingoveracliff，wouldn’titbeallrightformetoreachoutandholdyoubythearm？Sureitwould。Butsupposeyouendedanothersortofhelp——insteadofthestrengthofarm，thestrengthofmypocket？Thatwouldbeallandthat’swhattheyallsay。Butwhydotheysayit。Becausetherobbergangswantallthesuckerstobehonestandrespectmoney。Ifthesuckersweren’thonestanddidn’trespectmoney，wherewouldtherobbersbe？Don’tyousee？
Therobbersdon’tdealinarm-holds；theydealindollars。Thereforearm-holdsarejustcommonandordinary，whiledollarsaresacred——sosacredthatyoudidn’tletmelendyouahandwithafew。”Orhere’sanotherway，”hecontinued，spurredonbyhermuteprotest。”It’sallrightformetogivethestrengthofmyarmwhenyou’refallingoveracliff。ButifItakethatsamestrengthofarmanduseitatpick-and-shovelworkforadayandearntwodollars，youwon’thaveanythingtodowiththetwodollars。Yetit’sthesameoldstrengthofarminanewform，that’sall。Besides，inthispropositionitwon’tbeaclaimonyou。Itain’tevenaloantoyou。It’sanarm-holdI’mgivingyourbrother——justthesamesortofarm-holdasifhewasfallingoveracliff。Andaniceoneyouare，tocomerunningoutandyell’Stop！’atme，andletyourbrothergoonoverthecliff。WhatheneedstosavehislegsisthatcrackinGermany，andthat’sthearm-holdI’moffering。”Wishyoucouldseemyrooms。Wallsalldecoratedwithhorsehairbridles——scoresofthem——hundredsofthem。They’renousetome，andtheycostlikeSamScratch。Butthere’salotofconvictsmakingthem，andIgoonbuying。
Why，I’vespentmoremoneyinasinglenightonwhiskeythanwouldgetthebestspecialistsandpayalltheexpensesofadozencaseslikeyourbrother’s。Andremember，you’vegotnothingtodowiththis。Ifyourbrotherwantstolookonitasaloan，allright。It’suptohim，andyou’vegottostandoutofthewaywhileIpullhimbackfromthatcliff。”
StillDederefused，andDaylight’sargumenttookamorepainfulturn。”Icanonlyguessthatyou’restandinginyourbrother’swayonaccountofsomemistakenideainyourheadthatthisismyideaofcourting。Well，itain’t。YoumightaswellthinkI’mcourtingallthoseconvictsIbuybridlesfrom。Ihaven’taskedyoutomarryme，andifIdoIwon’tcometryingtobuyyouintoconsenting。Andtherewon’tbeanythingunderhandwhenIcomea-asking。”
Dede’sfacewasflushedandangry。”Ifyouknewhowridiculousyouare，you’dstop，”sheblurtedout。”YoucanmakememoreuncomfortablethananymanIeverknew。Everylittlewhileyougivemetounderstandthatyouhaven’taskedmetomarryyouyet。
I’mnotwaitingtobeasked，andIwarnedyoufromthefirstthatyouhadnochance。Andyetyouholditovermyheadthatsometime，someday，you’regoingtoaskmetomarryyou。Goaheadandaskmenow，andgetyouranswerandgetitoveranddonewith。”
Helookedatherinhonestandponderingadmiration。”Iwantyousobad，MissMason，thatIdon’tdasttoaskyounow，”hesaid，withsuchwhimsicalityandearnestnessastomakeherthrowherheadbackinafrankboyishlaugh。”Besides，asItoldyou，I’mgreenatit。Ineverwenta-courtingbefore，andIdon’twanttomakeanymistakes。””Butyou’remakingthemallthetime，”shecriedimpulsively。”Nomanevercourtedawomanbyholdingathreatenedproposaloverherheadlikeaclub。””Iwon’tdoitanymore，”hesaidhumbly。”Andanyway，we’reofftheargument。Mystraighttalkaminuteagostillholds。You’restandinginyourbrother’sway。Nomatterwhatnotionsyou’vegotinyourhead，you’vegottogetoutofthewayandgivehimachance。Willyouletmegoandseehimandtalkitoverwithhim？I’llmakeitahardandfastbusinessproposition。I’llstakehimtogetwell，that’sall，andchargehiminterest。”
Shevisiblyhesitated。”Andjustrememberonething，MissMason:it’sHISleg，notyours。”
Stillsherefrainedfromgivingheranswer，andDaylightwentonstrengtheninghisposition。”Andremember，Igoovertoseehimalone。He’saman，andIcandealwithhimbetterwithoutwomenfolksaround。I’llgooverto-morrowafternoon。”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXVIIIPartIIChapterXVIIIDaylighthadbeenwhollytruthfulwhenhetoldDedethathehadnorealfriends。Onspeakingtermswiththousands，onfellowshipanddrinkingtermswithhundreds，hewasalonelyman。Hefailedtofindtheoneman，orgroupofseveralmen，withwhomhecouldbereallyintimate。
CitiesdidnotmakeforcomradeshipasdidtheAlaskantrail。Besides，thetypesofmenweredifferent。Scornfulandcontemptuousofbusinessmenontheonehand，ontheotherhisrelationswiththeSanFranciscobosseshadbeenmoreanallianceofexpediencythananythingelse。Hehadfeltmoreofkinshipforthefrankerbrutalityofthebossesandtheircaptains，buttheyhadfailedtoclaimanydeeprespect。Theyweretoopronetocrookedness。Bondswerebetterthanmen’swordinthismodernworld，andonehadtolookcarefullytothebonds。
IntheoldYukondaysithadbeendifferent。Bondsdidn’tgo。Amansaidhehadsomuch，andeveninapokergamehisappeasementwasaccepted。
LarryHegan，whoroseablytothelargestdemandsofDaylight’soperationsandwhohadfewillusionsandlesshypocrisy，mighthaveprovedachumhaditnotbeenforhistemperamentaltwist。Strangegeniusthathewas，aNapoleonofthelaw，withapowerofvisioningthatfarexceededDaylight’s，hehadnothingincommonwithDaylightoutsidetheoffice。Hespenthistimewithbooks，athingDaylightcouldnotabide。Also，hedevotedhimselftotheendlesswritingofplayswhichnevergotbeyondmanuscriptform，and，thoughDaylightonlysensedthesecrettaintofit，wasaconfirmedbuttemperateeaterofhasheesh。Heganlivedallhislifecloisteredwithbooksinaworldofagitation。Withtheout-of-doorworldhehadnounderstandingnortolerance。Infoodanddrinkhewasabstemiousasamonk，whileexercisewasathingabhorrent。Daylight’sfriendships，inlieuofanythingcloser，weredrinkingfriendshipsandroisteringfriendships。AndwiththepassingoftheSundayrideswithDede，hefellbackmoreandmoreuponthesefordiversion。Thecocktailwallofinhibitionherearedmoreassiduouslythanever。
Thebigredmotor-carwasoutmorefrequentlynow，whileastablehandwashiredtogiveBobexercise。InhisearlySanFranciscodays，therehadbeenintervalsofeasementbetweenhisdeals，butinthispresentbiggestdealofallthestrainwasunremitting。Notinamonth，ortwo，orthree，couldhishugelandinvestmentbecarriedtoasuccessfulconsummation。
Andsocompleteandwide-reachingwasitthatcomplicationsandknottysituationsconstantlyarose。Everydaybroughtitsproblems，andwhenhehadsolvedtheminhismasterfulway，helefttheofficeinhisbigcar，almostsighingwithreliefatanticipationoftheapproachingdoubleMartini。
Rarelywashemadetipsy。Hisconstitutionwastoostrongforthat。Instead，hewasthatdirestofalldrinkers，thesteadydrinker，deliberateandcontrolled，whoaveragedafarhigherquantityofalcoholthantheirregularandviolentdrinker。Forsixweekshard-runninghehadseennothingofDedeexceptintheoffice，andthereheresolutelyrefrainedfrommakingapproaches。ButbytheseventhSundayhishungerforherovermasteredhim。
Itwasastormyday。
Aheavysoutheastgalewasblowing，andsquallaftersquallofrainandwindsweptoverthecity。Hecouldnottakehismindoffofher，andapersistentpicturecametohimofhersittingbyawindowandsewingfemininefripperiesofsomesort。Whenthetimecameforhisfirstpre-luncheoncocktailtobeservedtohiminhisrooms，hedidnottakeit。
Filledwithadaringdetermination，heglancedathisnotebookforDede’stelephonenumber，andcalledfortheswitch。
Atfirstitwasherlandlady’sdaughterwhowasraised，butinaminuteheheardthevoicehehadbeenhungrytohear。”IjustwantedtotellyouthatI’mcomingouttoseeyou，”hesaid。”Ididn’twanttobreakinonyouwithoutwarning，thatwasall。””Hassomethinghappened？”camehervoice。”I’lltellyouwhenIgetthere，”heevaded。
Helefttheredcartwoblocksawayandarrivedonfootatthepretty，three-storied，shingledBerkeleyhouse。Foraninstantonly，hewasawareofaninwardhesitancy，butthenextmomentherangthebell。Heknewthatwhathewasdoingwasindirectviolationofherwishes，andthathewassettingheradifficulttasktoreceiveasaSundaycallerthemultimillionaireandnotoriousElamHarnishofnewspaperfame。Ontheotherhand，theonethinghedidnotexpectofherwaswhathewouldhavetermed”sillyfemalecapers。”
Andinthishewasnotdisappointed。
Shecameherselftothedoortoreceivehimandshakehandswithhim。
Hehunghismackintoshandhatontherackinthecomfortablesquarehallandturnedtoherfordirection。”Theyarebusyinthere，”shesaid，indicatingtheparlorfromwhichcametheboisterousvoicesofyoungpeople，andthroughtheopendoorofwhichhecouldseeseveralcollegeyouths。”Soyouwillhavetocomeintomyrooms。”
Sheledthewaythroughthedooropeningoutofthehalltotheright，and，onceinside，hestoodawkwardlyrootedtothefloor，gazingabouthimandatherandallthetimetryingnottogaze。Inhisperturbationhefailedtohearandseeherinvitationtoaseat。Sothesewereherquarters。
theintimacyofitandhermakingnofussaboutitwasstartling，butitwasnomorethanhewouldhaveexpectedofher。Itwasalmosttworoomsinone，theonehewasinevidentlythesitting-room，andtheonehecouldseeinto，thebedroom。Beyondanoakendressing-table，withanorderlylitterofcombsandbrushesanddaintyfeminineknickknacks，therewasnosignofitsbeingusedasabedroom。Thebroadcouch，withacoverofoldroseandbankedhighwithcushions，hedecidedmustbethebed，butitwasfarthestfromanyexperienceofacivilizedbedhehadeverhad。
Notthathesawmuchofdetailinthatawkwardmomentofstanding。Hisgeneralimpressionwasoneofwarmthandcomfortandbeauty。Therewerenocarpets，andonthehardwoodfloorhecaughtaglimpseofseveralwolfandcoyoteskins。WhatcapturedandperceptiblyheldhiseyeforamomentwasaCrouchedVenusthatstoodonaSteinwayuprightagainstabackgroundofmountain-lionskinonthewall。
ButitwasDedeherselfthatsmotemostsharplyuponsenseandperception。
Hehadalwayscherishedtheideathatshewasverymuchawoman——thelinesofherfigure，herhair，hereyes，hervoice，andbirdlikelaughingwayshadallcontributedtothis；buthere，inherownrooms，cladinsomeflowing，clinginggown，theemphasisofsexwasstartling。Hehadbeenaccustomedtoheronlyintrimtailorsuitsandshirtwaists，orinridingcostumeofvelvetcorduroy，andhewasnotpreparedforthisnewrevelation。Sheseemedsomuchsofter，somuchmorepliant，andtender，andlissome。Shewasapartofthisatmosphereofquietudeandbeauty。Shefittedintoitjustasshehadfittedinwiththesoberofficefurnishings。”Won’tyousitdown？”sherepeated。
Hefeltlikeananimallongdeniedfood。Hishungerforherwelledupinhim，andheproceededto”wolf”thedaintymorselbeforehim。Herewasnopatience，nodiplomacy。Thestraightest，directwaywasnonetooquickforhimand，hadheknownit，theleastunsuccessfulwayhecouldhavechosen。”Lookhere，”hesaid，inavoicethatshookwithpassion，”there’sonethingIwon’tdo，andthat’sproposetoyouintheoffice。That’swhyI’mhere。DedeMason，Iwantyou。Ijustwantyou。”
Whilehespokeheadvanceduponher，hisblackeyesburningwithbrightfire，hisarousedbloodswarthyinhischeek。
Soprecipitatewashe，thatshehadbarelytimetocryoutherinvoluntaryalarmandtostepback，atthesametimecatchingoneofhishandsasheattemptedtogatherherintohisarms。
Incontrasttohim，thebloodhadsuddenlylefthercheeks。Thehandthathadwardedhisoffandthatstillheldit，wastrembling。Sherelaxedherfingers，andhisarmdroppedtohisside。Shewantedtosaysomething，dosomething，topassonfromtheawkwardnessofthesituation，butnointelligentthoughtnoractioncameintohermind。Shewasawareonlyofadesiretolaugh。Thisimpulsewaspartyhystericalandpartlyspontaneoushumor——thelattergrowingfrominstanttoinstant。Amazingastheaffairwas，theridiculoussideofitwasnotveiledtoher。Shefeltlikeonewhohadsufferedtheterroroftheonslaughtofamurderousfootpadonlytofindoutthatitwasaninnocentpedestrianaskingthetime。
Daylightwasthequickertoachieveaction。”Oh，IknowI’masureenoughfool，”hesaid。”I-IguessI’llsitdown。Don’tbescairt，MissMason。
I’mnotrealdangerous。””’DedeMason，Iwantyou，Ijustwantyou’””I’mnotafraid，”sheanswered，withasmile，slippingdownherselfintoachair，besidewhich，onthefloor，stoodasewing-basketfromwhich，Daylightnoted，somewhitefluffythingoflaceandmuslinoverflowed。
Againshesmiled。”ThoughIconfessyoudidstartlemeforthemoment。””It’sfunny，”Daylightsighed，almostwithregret；”hereIam，strongenoughtobendyouaroundandtieknotsinyou。HereIam，usedtohavingmywillwithmanandbeastandanything。AndhereIamsittinginthischair，asweakandhelplessasalittlelamb。Yousuretakethestarchoutofme。”
Dedevainlycudgeledherbrainsinquestofareplytotheseremarks。
Instead，herthoughtdweltinsistentlyuponthesignificanceofhissteppingaside，inthemiddleofaviolentproposal，inordertomakeirrelevantremarks。Whatstruckherwastheman’scertitude。Solittledidhedoubtthathewouldhaveher，thathecouldaffordtopauseandgeneralizeuponloveandtheeffectsoflove。
Shenotedhishandunconsciouslyslippinginthefamiliarwayintothesidecoatpocketwheresheknewhecarriedhistobaccoandbrownpapers。”Youmaysmoke，ifyouwantto，”shesaid。Hewithdrewhishandwithajerk，asifsomethinginthepockethadstunghim。”No，Iwasn’tthinkingofsmoking。Iwasthinkingofyou。What’samantodowhenhewantsawomanbutaskhertomarryhim？That’sallthatI’mdoing。Ican’tdoitinstyle。Iknowthat。ButIcanusestraightEnglish，andthat’sgoodenoughforme。Isurewantyoumightybad，MissMason。
You’reinmymind’mostallthetime，now。AndwhatIwanttoknowis——well，doyouwantme？That’sall。””I-Iwishyouhadn’tasked，”shesaidsoftly。”Mebbeit’sbestyoushouldknowafewthingsbeforeyougivemeananswer，”hewenton，ignoringthefactthattheanswerhadalreadybeengiven。”Ineverwentafterawomanbeforeinmylife，allreportstothecontrarynotwithstanding。Thestuffyoureadaboutmeinthepapersandbooks，aboutmebeingalady-killer，isallwrong。There’snotaniotaoftruthinit。IguessI’vedonemorethanmyshareofcard-playingandwhiskey-drinking，butwomenI’veletalone。Therewasawomanthatkilledherself，butIdidn’tknowshewantedmethatbadorelseI’dhavemarriedher——notforlove，buttokeepherfromkillingherself。Shewasthebestoftheboiling，butInevergaveheranyencouragement。I’mtellingyouallthisbecauseyou’vereadaboutit，andIwantyoutogetitstraightfromme。”Lady-killer！”hesnorted。”Why，MissMason，Idon’tmindtellingyouthatI’vesurebeenscairtofwomenallmylife。You’rethefirstoneI’venotbeenafraidof。That’sthestrangethingaboutit。Ijustplumbworshipyou，andyetI’mnotafraidofyou。Mebbeit’sbecauseyou’redifferentfromthewomenIknow。You’veneverchasedme。Lady-killer！Why，I’vebeenrunningawayfromladieseversinceIcanremember，andIguessallthatsavedmewasthatIwasstronginthewindandthatIneverfelldownandbrokealegoranything。”Ididn’teverwanttogetmarrieduntilafterImetyou，anduntilalongtimeafterImetyou。Icottonedtoyoufromthestart；butIneverthoughtitwouldgetasbadasmarriage。Why，Ican’tgettosleepnights，thinkingofyouandwantingyou。”
Hecametoastopandwaited。Shehadtakenthelaceandmuslinfromthebasket，possiblytosettlehernervesandwits，andwassewinguponit。Asshewasnotlookingathim，hedevouredherwithhiseyes。Henotedthefirm，efficienthands——handsthatcouldcontrolahorselikeBob，thatcouldrunatypewriteralmostasfastasamancouldtalk，thatcouldsewondaintygarments，andthat，doubtlessly，couldplayonthepianooverthereinthecorner。Anotherultra-femininedetailhenoticed——herslippers。
Theyweresmallandbronze。Hehadneverimaginedshehadsuchasmallfoot。Streetshoesandridingbootswereallthathehadeverseenonherfeet，andtheyhadgivennoadvertisementofthis。Thebronzeslippersfascinatedhim，andtothemhiseyesrepeatedlyturned。
Aknockcameatthedoor，whichsheanswered。Daylightcouldnothelphearingtheconversation。Shewaswantedatthetelephone。”Tellhimtocallupagainintenminutes，”heheardhersay，andthemasculinepronouncausedinhimaflashingtwingeofjealousy。Well，hedecided，whoeveritwas，BurningDaylightwouldgivehimarunforhismoney。ThemarveltohimwasthatagirllikeDedehadn’tbeenmarriedlongsince。
Shecameback，smilingtohim，andresumedhersewing。Hiseyeswanderedfromtheefficienthandstothebronzeslippersandbackagain，andhesworetohimselfthatthereweremightyfewstenographerslikeherinexistence。
Thatwasbecauseshemusthavecomeofprettygoodstock，andhadaprettygoodraising。Nothingelsecouldexplaintheseroomsofhersandtheclothessheworeandthewaysheworethem。”Thosetenminutesareflying，”hesuggested。”Ican’tmarryyou，”shesaid。”Youdon’tloveme？”
Sheshookherhead。”Doyoulikeme——thelittlestbit？”
Thistimeshenodded，atthesametimeallowingthesmileofamusementtoplayonherlips。Butitwasamusementwithoutcontempt。Thehumoroussideofasituationrarelyappealedinvaintoher。”Well，that’ssomethingtogoon，”heannounced。”You’vegottomakeastarttogetstarted。Ijustlikedyouatfirst，andlookwhatit’sgrowninto。Yourecollect，yousaidyoudidn’tlikemywayoflife。Well，I’vechangeditaheap。Iain’tgamblinglikeIusedto。I’vegoneintowhatyoucalledthelegitimate，makingtwominutesgrowwhereonegrewbefore，threehundredthousandfolkswhereonlyahundredthousandgrewbefore。
Andthistimenextyearthere’llbetwomillioneucalyptusgrowingonthehills。Saydoyoulikememorethanthelittlestbit？”
Sheraisedhereyesfromherworkandlookedathimassheanswered:”Ilikeyouagreatdeal，but——”
Hewaitedamomentforhertocompletethesentence，failingwhich，hewentonhimself。”Ihaven’tanexaggeratedopinionofmyself，soIknowIain’tbraggingwhenIsayI’llmakeaprettygoodhusband。You’dfindIwasnohandatnaggingandfault-finding。Icanguesswhatitmustbeforawomanlikeyoutobeindependent。Well，you’dbeindependentasmywife。Nostringsonyou。Youcouldfollowyourownsweetwill，andnothingwouldbetoogoodforyou。I’dgiveyoueverythingyourheartdesired——””Exceptyourself，”sheinterruptedsuddenly，almostsharply。
Daylight’sastonishmentwasmomentary。”Idon’tknowaboutthat。I’dbestraightandsquare，andlivetrue。
Idon’thankerafterdividedaffections。””Idon’tmeanthat，”shesaid。”Insteadofgivingyourselftoyourwife，youwouldgiveyourselftothethreehundredthousandpeopleofOakland，toyourstreetrailwaysandferry-routes，tothetwomilliontreesonthehillstoeverythingbusiness——and——andtoallthatthatmeans。””I’dseethatIdidn’t，”hedeclaredstoutly。”I’dbeyourstocommand。””Youthinkso，butitwouldturnoutdifferently。”Shesuddenlybecamenervous。”Wemuststopthistalk。Itistoomuchlikeattemptingtodriveabargain。’Howmuchwillyougive？’’I’llgivesomuch。’’Iwantmore，’
andallthat。Ilikeyou，butnotenoughtomarryyou，andI’llneverlikeyouenoughtomarryyou。””Howdoyouknowthat？”hedemanded。”BecauseIlikeyoulessandless。”
Daylightsatdumfounded。Thehurtshoweditselfplainlyinhisface。”Oh，youdon’tunderstand，”shecriedwildly，beginningtoloseself-control——”It’snotthatwayImean。Idolikeyou；themoreI’veknownyouthemoreI’velikedyou。AndatthesametimethemoreI’veknownyouthelesswouldIcaretomarryyou。”
ThisenigmaticutterancecompletedDaylight’sperplexity。”Don’tyousee？”shehurriedon。”IcouldhavefareasiermarriedtheElamHarnishfreshfromKlondike，whenIfirstlaideyesonhimlongago，thanmarryyousittingbeforemenow。”
Heshookhisheadslowly。”That’sonetoomanyforme。Themoreyouknowandlikeamanthelessyouwanttomarryhim。Familiaritybreedscontempt——Iguessthat’swhatyoumean。””No，no，”shecried，butbeforeshecouldcontinue，aknockcameonthedoor。”Thetenminutesisup，”Daylightsaid。
Hiseyes，quickwithobservationlikeanIndian’s，dartedabouttheroomwhileshewasout。Theimpressionofwarmthandcomfortandbeautypredominated，thoughhewasunabletoanalyzeit；whilethesimplicitydelightedhim——expensivesimplicity，hedecided，andmostofitleftoversfromthetimeherfatherwentbrokeanddied。Hehadneverbeforeappreciatedaplainhardwoodfloorwithacoupleofwolfskins；itsurebeatallthecarpetsincreation。HestaredsolemnlyatabookcasecontainingacCoupleofhundredbooks。Therewasmystery。Hecouldnotunderstandwhatpeoplefoundsomuchtowriteabout。
Writingthingsandreadingthingswerenotthesameasdoingthings，andhimselfprimarilyamanofaction，doingthingswasalonecomprehensible。
HisgazepassedonfromtheCrouchedVenustoalittletea-tablewithallitsfragileandexquisiteaccessories，andtoashiningcopperkettleandcopperchafing-dish。Chafingdisheswerenotunknowntohim，andhewonderedifsheconcoctedsuppersonthisoneforsomeofthoseUniversityyoungmenhehadheardwhispersabout。Oneortwowater-colorsonthewallmadehimconjecturethatshehadpaintedthemherself。Therewerephotographsofhorsesandofoldmasters，andthetrailingpurpleofaBurialofChristheldhimforatime。ButeverhisgazereturnedtothatCrouchedVenusonthepiano。Tohishomely，frontier-trainedmind，itseemedcuriousthataniceyoungwomanshouldhavesuchabold，ifnotsinful，objectondisplayinherownroom。Buthereconciledhimselftoitbyanactoffaith。SinceitwasDede，itmustbeeminentlyallright。Evidentlysuchthingswentalongwithculture。LarryHeganhadsimilarcastsandphotographsinhisbook-clutteredquarters。Butthen，LarryHeganwasdifferent。TherewasthathintofunhealthabouthimthatDaylightinvariablysensedinhispresence，whileDede，onthecontrary，seemedalwayssorobustlywholesome，radiatinganatmospherecompoundedofthesunandwindanddustoftheopenroad。Andyet，ifsuchaclean，healthywomanasshewentinfornakedwomencrouchingonherpiano，itmustbeallright。Dedemadeitallright。
Shecouldcomeprettyclosetomakinganythingallright。Besides，hedidn’tunderstandcultureanyway。
Shereenteredtheroom，andasshecrossedittoherchair，headmiredthewayshewalked，whilethebronzeslippersweremaddening。”I’dliketoaskyouseveralquestions，”hebeganimmediately”Areyouthinkingofmarryingsomebody？”
Shelaughedmerrilyandshookherhead。”Doyoulikeanybodyelsemorethanyoulikeme？——thatmanatthe’phonejustnow，forinstance？””Thereisn’tanybodyelse。Idon’tknowanybodyIlikewellenoughtomarry。Forthatmatter，Idon’tthinkIamamarryingwoman。Officeworkseemstospoiloneforthat。”
Daylightranhiseyesoverher，fromherfacetothetipofabronzeslipper，inawaythatmadethecolormantleinhercheeks。Atthesametimeheshookhisheadsceptically。”Itstrikesmethatyou’rethemostmarryingestwomanthatevermadeamansitupandtakenotice。Andnowanotherquestion。Yousee，I’vejustgottolocatethelayoftheland。Isthereanybodyyoulikeasmuchasyoulikeme？”
ButDedehadherselfwellinhand。”That’sunfair，”shesaid。”Andifyoustopandconsider，youwillfindthatyouaredoingtheverythingyoudisclaimed——namely，nagging。Irefusetoansweranymoreofyourquestions。Letustalkaboutotherthings。HowisBob？”
Halfanhourlater，whirlingalongthroughtherainonTelegraphAvenuetowardOakland，Daylightsmokedoneofhisbrown-papercigarettesandreviewedwhathadtakenplace。Itwasnotatallbad，washissummingup，thoughtherewasmuchaboutitthatwasbaffling。Therewasthatlikinghimthemoresheknewhimandatthesametimewantingtomarryhimless。Thatwasapuzzler。
Butthefactthatshehadrefusedhimcarriedwithitacertainelation。
Inrefusinghimshehadrefusedhisthirtymilliondollars。Thatwasgoingsomeforaninetydollar-a-monthstenographerwhohadknownbetterties。
Shewasn’taftermoney，thatwaspatent。Everywomanhehadencounteredhadseemedwillingtoswallowhimdownforthesakeofhismoney。Why，hehaddoubledhisfortune，madefifteenmillions，sincethedayshefirstcametoworkforhim，andbehold，anywillingnesstomarryhimshemighthavepossessedhaddiminishedashismoneyhadincreased。”Gosh！”hemuttered。”IfIcleanupahundredmilliononthislanddealshewon’tevenbeonspeakingtermswithme。”
Buthecouldnotsmilethethingaway。Itremainedtobafflehim，thatenigmaticstatementofhersthatshecouldmoreeasilyhavemarriedtheElamHarnishfreshfromtheKlondikethanthepresentElamHarnish。Well，heconcluded，thethingtodowasforhimtobecomemorelikethatold-timeDaylightwhohadcomedownoutoftheNorthtotryhisluckatthebiggergame。Butthatwasimpossible。Hecouldnotsetbacktheflightoftime。
Wishingwouldn’tdoit，andtherewasnootherway。Hemightaswellwishhimselfaboyagain。
Anothersatisfactionhecuddledtohimselffromtheirinterview。Hehadheardofstenographersbefore，whorefusedtheiremployers，andwhoinvariablyquittheirpositionsimmediatelyafterward。ButDedehadnotevenhintedatsuchathing。Nomatterhowbafflingshewas，therewasnononsensicalsillinessabouther。Shewaslevelheaded。But，also，hehadbeenlevel-headedandwaspartlyresponsibleforthis。Hehadn’ttakenadvantageofherintheoffice。True，hehadtwiceoversteppedthebounds，buthehadnotfolloweditupandmadeapracticeofit。Sheknewshecouldtrusthim。Butinspiteofallthishewasconfidentthatmostyoungwomenwouldhavebeensillyenoughtoresignapositionwithamantheyhadturneddown。Andbesides，afterhehadputittoherintherightlight，shehadnotbeensillyoverhissendingherbrothertoGermany。”Gee！”heconcluded，asthecardrewupbeforehishotel。”IfI’donlyknownitasIdonow，I’dhavepoppedthequestionthefirstdayshecametowork。Accordingtohersay-so，thatwouldhavebeenthepropermoment。
Shelikesmemoreandmore，andthemoreshelikesmethelessshe’dcaretomarryme！Nowwhatdoyoubthinkofthat？Shesuremustbefooling。”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXIXPartIIChapterXIXOnceagain，onarainySunday，weeksafterward，DaylightproposedtoDede。Asonthefirsttime，herestrainedhimselfuntilhishungerforheroverwhelmedhimandswepthimawayinhisredautomobiletoBerkeley。
Heleftthemachineseveralblocksawayandproceededtothehouseonfoot。
ButDedewasout，thelandlady’sdaughtertoldhim，andadded，onsecondthought，thatshewasoutwalkinginthehills。Furthermore，theyoungladydirectedhimwhereDede’swalkwasmostlikelytoextend。
Daylightobeyedthegirl’sinstructions，andsoonthestreethefollowedpassedthelasthouseanditselfceasedwherebeganthefirststeepslopesoftheopenhills。Theairwasdampwiththeon-comingofrain，forthestormhadnotyetburst，thoughtherisingwindproclaimeditsimminence。
Asfarashecouldsee，therewasnosignofDedeonthesmooth，grassyhills。Totheright，dippingdownintoahollowandrisingagain，wasalarge，full-growneucalyptusgrove。Hereallwasnoiseandmovement，thelofty，slendertrunkedtreesswayingbackandforthinthewindandclashingtheirbranchestogether。Inthesqualls，abovealltheminornoisesofcreakingandgroaning，aroseadeepthrummingnoteasofamightyharp。
KnowingDedeashedid，Daylightwasconfidentthathewouldfindhersomewhereinthisgrovewherethestormeffectsweresopronounced。Andfindherhedid，acrossthehollowandontheexposedcrestoftheopposingslopewherethegalesmoteitsfiercestblows。
Therewassomethingmonotonous，thoughnottiresome，aboutthewayDaylightproposed。Guiltlessofdiplomacysubterfuge，hewasasdirectandgustyasthegaleitself。hadtimeneitherforgreetingnorapology。”It’sthesameoldthing，”hesaid。”IwantyouandI’vecomeforyou。
You’vejustgottohaveme，Dede，forthemoreIthinkaboutitthemorecertainIamthatyou’vegotaSneakinglikingformethat’ssomethingmorethanjustOrdinaryliking。Andyoudon’tdastsaythatitisn’t；nowdastyou？”
Hehadshakenhandswithheratthemomenthebeganspeaking，andhehadcontinuedtoholdherhand。Now，whenshedidnotanswer，shefeltalightbutfirmlyinsistentpressureasofhisdrawinghertohim。Involuntarily，shehalf-yieldedtohim，herdesireforthemomentstrongerthanherwill。
Thensuddenlyshedrewherselfaway，thoughpermittingherhandstilltoremaininhis。”Yousureain’tafraidofme？”heasked，withquickcompunction。”No。”Shesmiledwoefully。”Notofyou，butofmyself。””Youhaven’ttakenmydare，”heurgedunderthisencouragement。”Please，please，”shebegged。”Wecannevermarry，sodon’tletusdiscussit。””ThenIcopperyourbettolose。”Hewasalmostgay，now，forsuccesswascomingfasterthanhisfondestimagining。Shelikedhim，withoutadoubt；andwithoutadoubtshelikedhimwellenoughtolethimholdherhand，wellenoughtobenotrepelledbythenearnessofhim。
Sheshookherhead。”No，itisimpossible。Youwouldloseyourbet。”
ForthefirsttimeadarksuspicioncrossedDaylight’smind——aclewthatexplainedeverything。”Say，youain’tbeenletinforsomeoneofthesesecretmarriageshaveyou？”
Theconsternationinhisvoiceandonhisfacewastoomuchforher，andherlaughrangout，merryandspontaneousasaburstofjoyfromthethroatofabird。
Daylightknewhisanswer，and，vexedwithhimselfdecidedthatactionwasmoreefficientthanspeech。Sohesteppedbetweenherandthewindanddrewhersothatshestoodcloseintheshelterofhim。Anunusuallystiffsquallblewaboutthemandthrummedoverheadinthetree-topsandbothpausedtolisten。Ashowerofflyingleavesenvelopedthem，andhardontheheelofthewindcamedrivingdropsofrain。Helookeddownonherandonherhairwind-blownaboutherface；andbecauseofherclosenesstohimandofafresherandmorepoignantrealizationofwhatshemeanttohim，hetrembledsothatshewasawareofitinthehandthatheldhers。
Shesuddenlyleanedagainsthim，bowingherheaduntilitrestedlightlyuponhisbreast。Andsotheystoodwhileanothersquall，withflyingleavesandscattereddropsofrain，rattledpast。Withequalsuddennesssheliftedherheadandlookedathim。”Doyouknow，”shesaid，”Iprayedlastnightaboutyou。Iprayedthatyouwouldfail，thatyouwouldloseeverythingeverything。”
Daylightstaredhisamazementatthiscrypticutterance。”Thatsurebeatsme。IalwayssaidIgotoutofmydepthwithwomen，andyou’vegotmeoutofmydepthnow。Whyyouwantmetoloseeverything，seeingasyoulikeme——””Ineversaidso。””Youdidn’tdastsayyoudidn’t。So，asIwassaying:likingme，whyyou’dwantmetogobrokeiscleanbeyondmysimpleunderstanding。It’srightinlinewiththatotherpuzzlerofyours，themore-you-like-me-the-less-you-want-to-marry-meone。Well，you’vejustgottoexplain，that’sall。”
Hisarmswentaroundherandheldherclosely，andthistimeshedidnotresist。Herheadwasbowed，andhehadnotseeherface，yethehadapremonitionthatshewascrying。Hehadlearnedthevirtueofsilence，andhewaitedherwillinthematter。Thingshadcometosuchapassthatshewasboundtotellhimsomethingnow。Ofthathewasconfident。”Iamnotromantic，”shebegan，againlookingathimashespoke。”ItmightbebetterformeifIwere。ThenIcouldmakeafoolofmyselfandbeunhappyfortherestofmylife。Butmyabominablecommonsenseprevents。Andthatdoesn’tmakemeabithappier，either。””I’mstilloutofmydepthandswimmingfeeble，”Daylightsaid，afterwaitingvainlyforhertogoon。”You’vegottoshowme，andyouain’tshownmeyet。YourcommonsenseandprayingthatI’dgobrokeisallupintheairtome。Littlewoman，Ijustloveyoumightyhard，andIwantyoutomarryme。That’sstraightandsimpleandrightoffthebat。Willyoumarryme？”
Sheshookherheadslowly，andthen，asshetalked，seemedtogrowangry，sadlyangry；andDaylightknewthatthisangerwasagainsthim。”Thenletmeexplain，andjustasstraightandsimplyasyouhaveasked。”
Shepaused，asifcastingaboutforabeginning。”Youarehonestandstraightforward。
Doyouwantmetobehonestandstraightforwardasawomanisnotsupposedtobe？——totellyouthingsthatwillhurtyou？——tomakeconfessionsthatoughttoshameme？tobehaveinwhatmanymenwouldthinkwasanunwomanlymanner？”
Thearmaroundhershoulderpressedencouragement，buthedidnotspeak。”Iwoulddearlyliketomarryyou，butIamafraid。Iamproudandhumbleatthesametimethatamanlikeyoushouldcareforme。Butyouhavetoomuchmoney。There’swheremyabominablecommonsensestepsin。Evenifwedidmarry，youcouldneverbemyman——myloverandmyhusband。Youwouldbeyourmoney’sman。IknowIamafoolishwoman，butIwantmymanformyself。Youwouldnotbefreeforme。Yourmoneypossessesyou，takingyourtime，yourthoughts，yourenergy，everthing，biddingyougohereandgothere，dothisanddothat。Don’tyousee？Perhapsit’spuresilliness，butIfeelthatIcanlovemuch，givemuch——giveall，andinreturn，thoughIdon’twantall，Iwantmuch——andIwantmuchmorethanyourmoneywouldpermityoutogiveme。”Andyourmoneydestroysyou；itmakesyoulessandlessnice。IamnotashamedtosaythatIloveyou，becauseIshallnevermarryyou。AndIlovedyoumuchwhenIdidnotknowyouatall，whenyoufirstcamedownfromAlaskaandIfirstwentintotheoffice。Youweremyhero。YouweretheBurningDaylightofthegold-diggings，thedaringtravelerandminer。
Andyoulookedit。
Idon’tseehowanywomancouldhavelookedatyouwithoutlovingyou——then。
Butyoudon’tlookitnow。”Please，please，forgivemeforhurtingyou。Youwantedstraighttalk，andIamgivingittoyou。Alltheselastyearsyouhavebeenlivingunnaturally。
You，amanoftheopen，havebeencoopingyourselfupinthecitieswithallthatthatmeans。Youarenotthesamemanatall，andyourmoneyisdestroyingyou。Youarebecomingsomethingdifferent，somethingnotsohealthy，notsoclean，notsonice。Yourmoneyandyourwayoflifearedoingit。Youknowit。Youhaven’tthesamebodynowthatyouhadthen。
Youareputtingonflesh，anditisnothealthyflesh。
Youarekindandgenialwithme，Iknow，butyouarenotkindandgenialtoalltheworldasyouwerethen。Youhavebecomeharshandcruel。AndIknow。Remember，Ihavestudiedyousixdaysaweek，monthaftermonth，yearafteryear；andIknowmoreaboutthemostinsignificantpartsofyouthanyouknowofallofme。Thecrueltyisnotonlyinyourheartandthoughts，butitisthereinface。Ithasputitslinesthere。Ihavewatchedthemcomeandgrow。Yourmoney，andthelifeitcompelsyoutoleadhavedoneallthis。Youarebeingbrutalizedanddegraded。Andthisprocesscanonlygoonandonuntilyouarehopelesslydestroyed——”
Heattemptedtointerrupt，butshestoppedhim，herselfbreathlessandhervoicetrembling。”No，no；letmefinishutterly。Ihavedonenothingbutthink，think，think，allthesemonths，eversinceyoucameridingwithme，andnowthatIhavebeguntospeakIamgoingtospeakallthatIhaveinme。Idoloveyou，butIcannotmarryyouanddestroylove。YouaregrowingintoathingthatImustintheenddespise。Youcan’thelpit。Morethanyoucanpossiblyloveme，doyoulovethisbusinessgame。Thisbusiness——andit’sallperfectlyuseless，sofarasyouareconcerned——claimsallofyou。Isometimesthinkitwouldbeeasiertoshareyouequitablywithanotherwomanthantoshareyouwiththisbusiness。Imighthavehalfofyou，atanyrate。Butthisbusinesswouldclaim，nothalfofyou，butnine-tenthsofyou，orninety-ninehundredths。”Remember，themeaningofmarriagetomeisnottogetaman’smoneytospend。Iwanttheman。YousayyouwantME。AndsupposeIconsented，butgaveyouonlyone-hundredthpartofme。Supposetherewassomethingelseinmylifethattooktheotherninety-nineparts，and，furthermore，thatruinedmyfigure，thatputpouchesundermyeyesandcrows-feetinthecorners，thatmademeunbeautifultolookuponandthatmademyspiritunbeautiful。Wouldyoubesatisfiedwiththatone-hundredthpartofme？
Yetthatisallyouareofferingmeofyourself。DoyouwonderthatIwon’tmarryyou？——thatIcan’t？”
Daylightwaitedtoseeifshewerequitedone，andshewentonagain。”Itisn’tthatIamselfish。Afterall，loveisgiving，notreceiving。
ButIseesoclearlythatallmygivingcouldnotdoyouanygood。Youarelikeasickman。Youdon’tplaybusinesslikeothermen。Youplayitheartandandallofyou。Nomatterwhatyoubelievedandintendedawifewouldbeonlyabriefdiversion。ThereisthatmagnificentBob，eatinghisheadoffinthestable。Youwouldbuymeabeautifulmansionandleavemeinittoyawnmyheadoff，orcrymyeyesoutbecauseofmyhelplessnessandinabilitytosaveyou。Thisdiseaseofbusinesswouldbecorrodingyouandmarringyouallthetime。Youplayitasyouhaveplayedeverythingelse，asinAlaskayouplayedthelifeofthetrail。Nobodycouldbepermittedtotravelasfastandasfarasyou，toworkashardorendureasmuch。
Youholdbacknothing；youputallyou’vegotintowhateveryouaredoing。””Limitisthesky，”hegruntedgrimaffirmation。”Butifyouwouldonlyplaythelover-husbandthatway——”
Hervoicefalteredandstopped，andablushshowedinherwetcheeksashereyesfellbeforehis。”AndnowIwon’tsayanotherword，”sheadded。”I’vedeliveredawholesermon。”
Sherestednow，franklyandfairly，intheshelterofhisarms，andbothwereoblivioustothegalethatrushedpasttheminquickerandstrongerblasts。Thebigdownpourofrainhadnotyetcome，butthemist-likesquallsweremorefrequent。Daylightwasopenlyperplexed，andhewasstillperplexedwhenhebegantospeak。”I’mstumped。I’mupatree。I’mcleanflabbergasted，MissMason——orDede，becauseIlovetocallyouthatname。I’mfreetoconfessthere’samightybigheapinwhatyousay。AsIunderstandit，yourconclusionisthatyou’dmarrymeifIhadn’tacentandifIwasn’tgettingfat。
No，no；I’mnotjoking。Iacknowledgethecorn，andthat’sjustmywayofboilingthematterdownandsummingitup。IfIhadn’tacent，andifIwaslivingahealthylifewithallthetimeintheworldtoloveyouandbeyourhusbandinsteadofbeingawashtomybackteethinbusinessandalltherest——why，you’dmarryme。”That’sallasclearasprint，andyou’recorrecterthanIeverguessedbefore。You’vesureopenedmyeyesafew。ButI’mstuck。WhatcanIdo？
Mybusinesshassureroped，thrown，andbrandedme。I’mtiedhandandfoot，andIcan’tgetupandmeanderovergreenpastures。I’mlikethemanthatgotthebearbythetail。Ican’tletgo；andIwantyou，andI’vegottoletgotogetyou。”Idon’tknowwhattodo，butsomething’ssuregottohappen——Ican’tloseyou。Ijustcan’t。AndI’mnotgoingto。Why，you’rerunningbusinessaclosesecondrightnow。Businessneverkeptmeawakenights。”You’veleftmenoargument。IknowI’mnotthesamemanthatcamefromAlaska。Icouldn’thitthetrailwiththedogsasIdidinthemdays。I’msoftinmymuscles，andmymind’sgonehard。Iusedtorespectmen。Idespisethemnow。Yousee，Ispentallmylifeintheopen，andIreckonI’manopen-airman。Why，I’vegottheprettiestlittleranchyoueverlaideyeson，upinGlenEllen。That’swhereIgotstuckforthatbrick-yard。Yourecollecthandlingthecorrespondence。Ionlylaideyesontheranchthatonetime，andIsofellinlovewithitthatIboughtitthereandthen。
Ijustrodearoundthehills，andwashappyasakidoutofschool。I’dbeabettermanlivinginthecountry。Thecitydoesn’tmakemebetter。
You’replumbrightthere。Iknowit。ButsupposeyourprayershouldbeansweredandI’dgocleanbrokeandhavetoworkforday’swages？”
Shedidnotanswer，thoughallthebodyofherseemedtourgeconsent。”SupposeIhadnothingleftbutthatlittleranch，andwassatisfiedtogrowafewchickensandscratchalivingsomehow——wouldyoumarrymethen，Dede？””Why，we’dbetogetherallthetime！”shecried。”ButI’dhavetobeoutploughingonceinawhile，hewarned，”ordrivingtotowntogetthegrub。””Buttherewouldn’tbetheoffice，atanyrate，andnomantosee，andmentoseewithoutend。Butitisallfoolishandimpossible，andwe’llhavetobestartingbacknowifwe’retoescapetherain。”
Thenwasthemoment，amongthetrees，wheretheybeganthedescentofthehill，thatDaylightmighthavedrawnhercloselytohimandkissedheronce。Buthewastooperplexedwiththenewthoughtsshehadputintohisheadtotakeadvantageofthesituation。Hemerelycaughtherbythearmandhelpedherovertherougherfooting。”It’sdarnprettycountryupthereatGlenEllen，”hesaidmeditatively。”Iwishyoucouldseeit。”
Attheedgeofthegrovehesuggestedthatitmightbebetterforthemtopartthere。”It’syourneighborhood，andfolksisliabletotalk。”
Butsheinsistedthatheaccompanyherasfarasthehouse。”Ican’taskyouin，”shesaid，extendingherhandatthefootofthesteps。
Thewindwashummingwildlyinsharplyrecurrentgusts，butstilltherainheldoff。”Doyouknow，”hesaid，”takingitbyandlarge，it’sthehappiestdayofmylife。”Hetookoffhishat，andthewindrippledandtwistedhisblackhairashewentonsolemnly，”AndI’msuregratefultoGod，orwhoeverorwhateverisresponsibleforyourbeingonthisearth。Foryoudolikemeheaps。It’sbeenmyjoytohearyousaysoto-day。It’s——”Heleftthethoughtarrested，andhisfaceassumedthefamiliarwhimsicalexpressionashemurmured:”Dede，Dede，we’vejustgottogetmarried。It’stheonlyway，andtrusttoluckforit’scomingoutallright——”。
Butthetearswerethreateningtoriseinhereyesagain，assheshookherheadandturnedandwentupthesteps。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXPartIIChapterXXWhentheferrysystembegantorun，andthetimebetweenOaklandandSanFranciscowasdemonstratedtobecutinhalf，thetideofDaylight’sterrificexpenditurestartedtoturn。Notthatitreallydidturn，forhepromptlywentintofurtherinvestments。Thousandsoflotsinhisresidencetractsweresold，andthousandsofhomeswerebeingbuilt。Factorysitesalsowereselling，andbusinesspropertiesintheheartofOakland。AllthistendedtoasteadyappreciationinvalueofDaylight’shugeholdings。
But，asofold，hehadhishunchandwasridingit。Alreadyhehadbegunborrowingfromthebanks。Themagnificentprofitshemadeonthelandhesoldwereturnedintomoreland，intomoredevelopment；andinsteadofpayingoffoldloans，hecontractednewones。AshehadpyramidedinDawsonCity，henowpyramidedinOakland；buthediditwiththeknowledgethatitwasastableenterpriseratherthanariskyplacer-miningboom。
Inasmallway，othermenwerefollowinghislead，buyingandsellinglandandprofitingbytheimprovementworkhewasdoing。Butthiswastobeexpected，andthesmallfortunestheyweremakingathisexpensedidnotirritatehim。Therewasanexception，however。OneSimonDolliver，withmoneytogoinwith，andwithcunningandcouragetobackitup，badefairtobecomeaseveraltimesmillionaireatDaylight’sexpense。Dolliver，too，pyramided，playingquicklyandaccurately，andkeepinghismoneyturningoverandover。MorethanonceDaylightfoundhimintheway，ashehimselfhadgotinthewayoftheGuggenhammerswhentheyfirstsettheireyesonOphirCreek。
WorkonDaylight’sdocksystemwentonapace，yetwasoneofthoseenterprisesthatconsumedmoneydreadfullyandthatcouldnotbeaccomplishedasquicklyasaferrysystem。Theengineeringdifficultiesweregreat，thedredgingandfillingacyclopeantask。Themereitemofpilingwasanythingbutsmall。Agoodaveragepile，bythetimeitwasdeliveredontheground，costatwenty-dollargoldpiece，andthesepileswereusedinunendingthousands。Allaccessiblegrovesofmatureeucalyptuswereused，andaswell，greatraftsofpinepilesweretoweddownthecoastfromPeugeotSound。
Notcontentwithmanufacturingtheelectricityforhisstreetrailwaysintheold-fashionedway，inpower-houses，DaylightorganizedtheSierraandSalvadorPowerCompany。Thisimmediatelyassumedlargeproportions。
CrossingtheSanJoaquinValleyonthewayfromthemountains，andplungingthroughtheContraCostahills，thereweremanytowns，andevenarobustcity，thatcouldbesuppliedwithpower，alsowithlight；anditbecameastreet-andhouse-lightingprojectaswell。AssoonasthepurchaseofpowersitesintheSierraswasrushedthrough，thesurveypartieswereoutandbuildingoperationsbegun。
Andsoitwent。Therewereathousandmawsintowhichhepouredunceasingstreamsofmoney。Butitwasallsosoundandlegitimate，thatDaylight，borngamblerthathewas，andwithhisclear，widevision，couldnotplaysoftlyandsafely。Itwasabigopportunity，andtohimtherewasonlyonewaytoplayit，andthatwasthebigway。Nordidhisoneconfidentialadviser，LarryHegan，aidhimtocaution。Onthecontrary，itwasDaylightwhowascompelledtovetothewildervisionsofthatablehasheeshdreamer。
NotonlydidDaylightborrowheavilyfromthebanksandtrustcompanies，butonseveralofhiscorporationshewascompelledtoissuestock。Hedidthisgrudginglyhowever，andretainedmostofhisbigenterprisesofhisown。AmongthecompaniesinwhichhereluctantlyallowedtheinvestingpublictojoinweretheGoldenGateDockCompany，andRecreationParksCompany，theUnitedWaterCompany，theUncialShipbuildingCompany，andtheSierraandSalvadorPowerCompany。Nevertheless，betweenhimselfandHegan，heretainedthecontrollingshareineachoftheseenterprises。
HisaffairwithDedeMasononlyseemedtolanguish。Whiledelayingtograpplewiththestrangeproblemitpresented，hisdesireforhercontinuedtogrow。Inhisgamblingsimile，hisconclusionwasthatLuckhaddealthimthemostremarkablecardinthedeck，andthatforyearshehadoverlookedit。Lovewasthecard，anditbeatthemall。Lovewasthekingcardoftrumps，thefifthace，thejokerinagameoftenderfootpoker。Itwasthecardofcards，andplayithewould，tothelimit，whentheopeningcame。Hecouldnotseethatopeningyet。Thepresentgamewouldhavetoplaytosomesortofaconclusionfirst。
Yethecouldnotshakefromhisbrainandvisionthewarmrecollectionofthosebronzeslippers，thatclinginggown，andallthefemininesoftnessandpliancyofDedeinherprettyBerkeleyrooms。Onceagain，onarainySunday，hetelephonedthathewascoming。And，ashashappenedeversincemanfirstlookeduponwomanandcalledhergood，againheplayedtheblindforceofmalecompulsionagainstthewoman’ssecretweaknesstoyield。
NotthatitwasDaylight’swayabjectlytobegandentreat。Onthecontrary，hewasmasterfulinwhateverhedid，buthehadatrickofwhimsicalwheedlingthatDedefoundhardertoresistthanthepleasofasuppliantlover。Itwasnotahappysceneinitsoutcome，forDede，inthethroesofherowndesire，desperatewithweaknessandatthesametimewithherbetterjudgmenthatingherweaknesscriedout:——”Youurgemetotryachance，tomarryyounowandtrusttoluckforittocomeoutright。Andlifeisagamblesay。Verywell，letusgamble。
Takeacoinandtossitintheair。Ifitcomesheads，I’llmarryyou。
Ifitdoesn’t，youareforevertoleavemealoneandnevermentionmarriageagain。”
AfireofmingledloveandthepassionofgamblingcameintoDaylight’seyes。Involuntarilyhishandstartedforhispocketforthecoin。Thenitstopped，andthelightinhiseyeswastroubled。”Goon，”sheorderedsharply。”Don’tdelay，orImaychangemymind，andyouwilllosethechance。””Littlewoman。”Hissimileswerehumorous，buttherewasnohumorintheirmeaning。Histhoughtwasassolemnashisvoice。”Littlewoman，I’dgambleallthewayfromCreationtotheDayofJudgment；I’dgambleagoldenharpagainstanotherman’shalo；I’dtossforpenniesonthefrontstepsoftheNewJerusalemorsetupafarolayoutjustoutsidethePearlyGates；
butI’llbeeverlastinglydamnedifI’llgambleonlove。Love’stoobigtometotakeachanceon。Love’sgottobeasurething，andbetweenyouandmeitisasurething。Iftheoddswasahundredtooneonmywinningthisflip，justthesame，naryaflip。”
InthespringoftheyeartheGreatPaniccameon。Thefirstwarningwaswhenthebanksbegancallingintheirunprotectedloans。Daylightpromptlypaidthefirstseveralofhispersonalnotesthatwerepresented；thenhedivinedthatthesedemandsbutindicatedthewaythewindwasgoingtoblow，andthatoneofthoseterrificfinancialstormshehadheardaboutwassoontosweepovertheUnitedStates。Howterrificthisparticularstormwastobehedidnotanticipate。Nevertheless，hetookeveryprecautioninhispower，andhadnoanxietyabouthisweatheringitout。
Moneygrewtighter。BeginningwiththecrashofseveralofthegreatestEasternbankinghouses，thetightnessspread，untileverybankinthecountrywascallinginitscredits。Daylightwascaught，andcaughtbecauseofthefactthatforthefirsttimehehadbeenplayingthelegitimatebusinessgame。Intheolddays，suchapanic，withtheaccompanyingextremeshrinkageofvalues，wouldhavebeenagoldenharvesttimeforhim。Asitwas，hewatchedthegamblers，whohadriddenthewaveofprosperityandmadepreparationfortheslump，gettingoutfromunderandsafelyscurryingtocoverorproceedingtoreapadoubleharvest。Nothingremainedforhimbuttostandfastandholdup。
Hesawthesituationclearly。Whenthebanksdemandedthathepayhisloans，heknewthatthebankswereinsoreneedofthemoney。Buthewasinsorerneed。Andheknewthatthebanksdidnotwanthiscollateralwhichtheyheld。Itwoulddothemnogood。Insuchatumblingofvalueswasnotimetosell。Hiscollateralwasgood，allofit，eminentlysoundandworthwhile；yetitwasworthlessatsuchamoment，whentheoneunceasingcrywasmoney，money，money。Findinghimobdurate，thebanksdemandedmorecollateral，andasthemoneypinchtightenedtheyaskedfortwoandeventhreetimesasmuchashadbeenoriginallyaccepted。SometimesDaylightyieldedtothesedemands，butmoreoftennot，andalwaysbattlingfiercely。
Hefoughtaswithclaybehindacrumblingwall。Allportionsofthewallweremenaced，andhewentaroundconstantlystrengtheningtheweakestpartswithclay。Thisclaywasmoney，andwasapplied，asophereandasopthere，asfastasitwasneeded，butonlywhenitwasdirectlyneeded。
ThestrengthofhispositionlayintheYerbaBuenaFerryCompany，theConsolidatedStreetRailways，andtheUnitedWaterCompany。Thoughpeoplewerenolongerbuyingresidencelotsandfactoryandbusinesssites，theywerecompelledtorideonhiscarsandferry-boatsandtoconsumehiswater。
Whenallthefinancialworldwasclamoringformoneyandperishingthroughlackofit，thefirstofeachmonthmanythousandsofdollarspouredintohiscoffersfromthewater-rates，andeachdaytenthousanddollars，indimeandnickels，cameinfromhisstreetrailwaysandferries。
Cashwaswhatwaswanted，andhadhehadtheuseofallthissteadyriverofcash，allwouldhavebeenwellwithhim。Asitwas，hehadtofightcontinuallyforaportionofit。Improvementworkceased，andonlyabsolutelyessentialrepairsweremade。Hisfiercestfightwaswiththeoperatingexpenses，andthiswasafightthatneverended。Therewasneveranylet-upinhisturningthethumb-screwsofextendedcreditandeconomy。
Fromthebigwholesalesuppliersdownthroughthesalarylisttoofficestationeryandpostagestamps，hekeptthethumb-screwsturning。Whenhissuperintendentsandheadsofdepartmentsperformedprodigiesofcuttingdown，hepattedthemonthebackanddemandedmore。Whentheythrewdowntheirhandsindespair，heshowedthemhowmorecouldbeaccomplished。”Youaregettingeightthousanddollarsayear，”hetoldMatthewson。”It’sbetterpaythanyouevergotinyourlifebefore。Yourfortuneisinthesamesackwithmine。You’vegottostandforsomeofthestrainandrisk。You’vegotpersonalcreditinthistown。Useit。Standoffbutcherandbakerandalltherest。Savvee？You’redrawingdownsomethinglikesixhundredandsixtydollarsamonth。Iwantthatcash。Fromnowon，standeverybodyoffanddrawdownahundred。I’llpayyouinterestontheresttillthisblowsover。”
Twoweekslater，withthepay-rollbeforethem，itwas:——”Matthewson，who’sthisbookkeeper，Rogers？Yournephew？Ithoughtso。
He’spullingdowneighty-fiveamonth。After——thislethimdrawthirty-five。
Thefortycanridewithmeatinterest。””Impossible！”Matthewsoncried。”Hecan’tmakeendsmeetonhissalaryasitis，andhehasawifeandtwokids——”
Daylightwasuponhimwithamightyoath。”Can’t！Impossible！WhatinhelldoyouthinkI’mrunning？Ahomeforfeeble-minded？Feedinganddressingandwipingthelittlenosesofalotofidiotsthatcan’ttakecareofthemselves？Notonyourlife。I’mhustling，andnow’sthetimethateverybodythatworksformehasgottohustle。
Iwantnofair-weatherbirdsholdingdownmyofficechairsoranythingelse。Thisisnastyweather，damnnastyweather，andthey’vegottobuckintoitjustlikeme。TherearetenthousandmenoutofworkinOaklandrightnow，andsixtythousandmoreinSanFrancisco。Yournephew，andeverybodyelseonyourpay-roll，candoasIsayrightnoworquit。Savvee？Ifanyofthemgetstuck，yougoaroundyourselfandguaranteetheircreditwiththebutchersandgrocers。Andyoutrimdownthatpay-rollaccordingly。
I’vebeencarryingafewthousandfolksthat’llhavetocarrythemselvesforawhilenow，that’sall。””Yousaythisfilter’sgottobereplaced，”hetoldhischiefofthewater-works。”We’llseeaboutit。LetthepeopleofOaklanddrinkmudforachange。It’llteachthemtoappreciategoodwater。Stopworkatonce。
Getthosemenoffthepay-roll。Cancelallordersformaterial。Thecontractorswillsue？Let’emsueandbedamned。We’llbebustedhigher’nakiteoroneasystreetbeforetheycangetjudgment。”
AndtoWilkinson:”Takeoffthatowlboat。Letthepublicroarandcomehomeearlytoitswife。Andthere’sthatlastcarthatconnectswiththe12:45boatatTwenty-secondandHastings。Cutitout。Ican’trunitfortwoorthreepassengers。Letthemtakeanearlierboathomeorwalk。Thisisnotimeforphilanthropy。Andyoumightaswelltakeoffafewmorecarsintherushhours。Letthestrap-hangerspay。It’sthestrap-hangersthat’llkeepusfromgoingunder。”
Andtoanotherchief，whobrokedownundertheexcessivestrainofretrenchment:-”YousayIcan’tdothatandcan’tdothis。I’lljustshowyouafewofthelatestpatternsinthecan-and-can’tline。You’llbecompelledtoresign？Allright，ifyouthinksoIneversawthemanyetthatIwashardupfor。AndwhenanymanthinksIcan’tgetalongwithouthim，Ijustshowhimthelatestpatterninthatlineofgoodsandgivehimhiswalking-papers。”
Andsohefoughtanddroveandbulliedandevenwheedledhiswayalong。
Itwasfight，fight，fight，andnolet-up，fromthefirstthinginthemorningtillnightfall。Hisprivateofficesawthrongseveryday。Allmencametoseehim，orwereorderedtocome。Nowitwasanoptimisticopiniononthepanic，afunnystory，aseriousbusinesstalk，orastraighttake-it-or-leave-itblowfromtheshoulder。Andtherewasnobodytorelievehim。Itwasacaseofdrive，drive，drive，andhealonecoulddothedriving。Andthiswentondayafterday，whilethewholebusinessworldrockedaroundhimandhouseafterhousecrashedtotheground。”It’sallright，oldman，”hetoldHeganeverymorning；anditwasthesamecheerfulwordthathepassedoutalldaylong，exceptatsuchtimeswhenhewasinthethickoffightingtohavehiswillwithpersonsandthings。
Eighto’clocksawhimathisdeskeachmorning。Byteno’clock，itwasintothemachineandawayforaroundofthebanks。Andusuallyinthemachinewithhimwasthetenthousandandmoredollarsthathadbeenearnedbyhisferriesandrailwaysthedaybefore。Thiswasfortheweakestspotinthefinancialdike。Andwithonebankpresidentafteranothersimilarsceneswereenacted。Theywereparalyzedwithfear，andfirstofallheplayedhisroleofthebigvitaloptimist。Timeswereimproving。
Ofcoursetheywere。Thesignswerealreadyintheair。Allthatanybodyhadtodowastosittightalittlelongerandholdon。Thatwasall。MoneywasalreadymoreactiveintheEast。LookatthetradingonWallStreetofthelasttwenty-fourhours。
Thatwasthestrawthatshowedthewind。Hadn’tRyansaidsoandso？
andwasn’titreportedthatMorganwaspreparingtodothisandthat？
Asforhimself，weren’tthestreet-railwayearningsincreasingsteadily？
Inspiteofthepanic，moreandmorepeoplewerecomingtoOaklandrightalong。Movementswerealreadybeginninginrealestate。Hewasdickeringeventhentoselloverathousandofhissuburbanacres。Ofcourseitwasatasacrifice，butitwouldeasethestrainonallofthemandbolsterupthefaint-hearted。Thatwasthetrouble——thefaint-hearts。Hadtherebeennofaint-heartstherewouldhavebeennopanic。TherewasthatEasternsyndicate，negotiatingwithhimnowtotakethemajorityofthestockintheSierraandSalvadorPowerCompanyoffhishands。Thatshowedconfidencethatbettertimeswereathand。