Andifitwasnotcheerydiscourse，butprayerandentreatyorshowdownandfightonthepartofthebanks，Daylighthadtocounterinkind。
Iftheycouldbully，hecouldbully。Ifthefavorheaskedwererefused，itbecamethethinghedemanded。Andwhenitcamedowntorawandnakedfighting，withthelastveilofsentimentorillusiontornoff，hecouldtaketheirbreathsaway。
Butheknew，also，howandwhentogivein。Whenhesawthewallshakingandcrumblingirretrievablyataparticularplace，hepatcheditupwithsopsofcashfromhisthreecash-earningcompanies。Ifthebankswent，hewenttoo。Itwasacaseoftheirhavingtoholdout。Iftheysmashedandallthecollateraltheyheldofhiswasthrownonthechaoticmarket，itwouldbetheend。Andsoitwas，asthetimepassed，thatonoccasionhisredmotor-carcarried，inadditiontothedailycash，themostgilt-edgedsecuritieshepossessed；namely，theFerryCompany，UnitedWaterandConsolidatedRailways。Buthedidthisreluctantly，fightinginchbyinch。
AshetoldthepresidentoftheMerchantsSanAntoniowhomadethepleaofcarryingsomanyothers:——”They’resmallfry。Letthemsmash。I’mthekingpinhere。You’vegotmoremoneytomakeoutofmethanthem。Ofcourse，you’recarryingtoomuch，andyou’vegottochoose，that’sall。It’sroothogordieforyouorthem。I’mtoostrongtosmash。Youcouldonlyembarrassmeandgetyourselftangledup。Yourwayoutistoletthesmallfrygo，andI’lllendyouahandtodoit。”
AnditwasDaylight，also，inthistimeoffinancialanarchy，whosizedupSimonDolliver’saffairsandlentthehandthatsentthatrivaldowninutterfailure。TheGoldenGateNationalwasthekeystoneofDolliver’sstrength，andtothepresidentofthatinstitutionDaylightsaid:——”HereI’vebeenlendingyouahand，andyounowinthelastditch，withDolliverridingonyouandmeallthetime。Itdon’tgo。Youhearme，itdon’tgo。Dollivercouldn’tcoughupelevendollarstosaveyou。Lethimgetoffandwalk，andI’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。I’llgiveyoutherailwaynickelsforfourdays——that’sfortythousandcash。AndonthesixthofthemonthyoucancountontwentythousandmorefromtheWaterCompany。”
Heshruggedhisshoulders。”Takeitorleaveit。Them’smyterms。””It’sdogeatdog，andIain’toverlookinganymeatthat’sfloatingaround，”DaylightproclaimedthatafternoontoHegan；andSimonDolliverwentthewayoftheunfortunateintheGreatPanicwhowerecaughtwithplentyofpaperandnomoney。
Daylight’sshiftsanddeviceswereamazing。Nothinghoweverlargeorsmall，passedhiskeensightunobserved。Thestrainhewasunderwasterrific。
Henolongeratelunch。Thedaysweretooshort，andhisnoonhoursandhisofficewereascrowdedasatanyothertime。Bytheendofthedayhewasexhausted，and，asneverbefore，hesoughtreliefbehindhiswallofalcoholicinhibition。Straighttohishotelhewasdriven，andstraighttohisroomshewent，whereimmediatelywasmixedforhimthefirstofaseriesofdoubleMartinis。Bydinner，hisbrainwaswellcloudedandthepanicforgotten。Bybedtime，withtheassistanceofScotchwhiskey，hewasfull——notviolentlynoruproariouslyfull，norstupefied，butmerelywellundertheinfluenceofapleasantandmildanesthetic。
Nextmorningheawokewithparchedlipsandmouth，andwithsensationsofheavinessinhisheadwhichquicklypassedaway。Byeighto’clockhewasathisdesk，buckleddowntothefight，byteno’clockonhispersonalroundofthebanks，andafterthat，withoutamoment’scessation，tillnightfall，hewashandlingtheknottytanglesofindustry，finance，andhumannaturethatcrowdeduponhim。Andwithnightfallitwasbacktothehotel，thedoubleMartinisandtheScotch；andthiswashisprogramdayafterdayuntilthedaysranintoweeks。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXIPartIIChapterXXIThoughDaylightappearedamonghisfellowsheartyvoiced，inexhaustible，spillingoverwithenergyandvitality，deepdownhewasaverywearyman。
Andsometimeundertheliquordrug，snatchesofwisdomcametohimfarmoreluciditythaninhissobermoments，as，forinstance，onenight，whenhesatontheedgeofthebedwithoneshoeinhishandandmeditatedonDede’saphorismtotheeffectthathecouldnotsleepinmorethanonebedatatime。Stillholdingtheshoe，helookedatthearrayofhorsehairbridlesonthewalls。Then，carryingtheshoe，hegotupandsolemnlycountedthem，journeyingintothetwoadjoiningroomstocompletethetale。Thenhecamebacktothebedandgravelyaddressedhisshoe:——”Thelittlewoman’sright。Onlyonebedatatime。Onehundredandfortyhairbridles，andnothingdoingwitharyoneofthem。Onebridleatatime！
Ican’trideonehorseatatime。PooroldBob。I’dbetterbesendingyououttopasture。Thirtymilliondollars，andahundredmillionornothinginsight，andwhathaveIgottoshowforit？There’slotsofthingsmoneycan’tbuy。Itcan’tbuythelittlewoman。Itcan’tbuycapacity。What’sthegoodofthirtymillionswhenIain’tgotroomformorethanaquartofcocktailsaday？IfIhadahundred-quart-cocktailthirst，it’dbedifferent。
Butonequart——onemeaslylittlequart！HereIam，athirtytimesovermillionaire，slavinghardereverydaythananydozenmenthatworkforme，andallIgetistwomealsthatdon’ttastegood，onebed，aquartofMartini，andahundredandfortyhairbridlestolookatonthewall。”
Hestaredaroundatthearraydisconsolately。”Mr。Shoe，I’msizzled。
Goodnight。”
Farworsethanthecontrolled，steadydrinkeristhesolitarydrinker，anditwasthisthatDaylightwasdevelopinginto。Herarelydranksociablyanymore，butinhisownroom，byhimself。Returningwearyfromeachday’sunremittingeffort，hedruggedhimselftosleep，knowingthatonthemorrowhewouldriseupwithadryandburningmouthandrepeattheprogram。
Butthecountrydidnotrecoverwithitswontedelasticity。Moneydidnotbecomefreer，thoughthecasualreaderofDaylight’snewspapers，aswellasofalltheotherownedandsubsidisednewspapersinthecountry，couldonlyhaveconcludedthatthemoneytightnesswasoverandthatthepanicwaspasthistory。Allpublicutteranceswerecheeryandoptimistic，butprivatelymanyoftheutterswereindesperatestraits。ThescenesenactedintheprivacyofDaylight’soffice，andofthemeetingsofhisboardsofdirectors，wouldhavegiventhelietotheeditorialsinhisnewspapers；as，forinstance，whenheaddressedthebigstockholdersintheSierraandSalvadorPowerCompany，theUnitedWaterCompany，andtheseveralotherstockcompanies:——”You’vegottodig。You’vegotagoodthing，butyou’llhavetosacrificeinordertoholdon。Thereain’tnousespoutinghardtimesexplanations。
Don’tIknowthehardtimesison？Ain’tthatwhatyou’reherefor？AsIsaidbefore，you’vegottodig。Irunthemajoritystock，andit’scometoacaseofassess。It’sthatorsmash。IfeverIstartgoingyouwon’tknowwhatstruckyou，I’llsmashthathard。Thesmallfrycanletgo，butyoubigonescan’t。Thisshipwon’tsinkaslongasyoustaywithher。
Butifyoustarttoleaveher，downyou’llsuregobeforeyoucangettoshore。Thisassessmenthasgottobemetthat’sall。”
Thebigwholesalesupplyhouses，thecaterersforhishotels，andallthecrowdthatincessantlydemandedtobepaid，hadtheirhothalf-hourswithhim。Hesummonedthemtohisofficeanddisplayedhislatestpatternsofcanandcan’tandwillandwon’t。”ByGod，you’vegottocarryme！”hetoldthem。”Ifyouthinkthisisapleasantlittlegameofparlorwhistandthatyoucanquitandgohomewheneveryouwant，you’replumbwrong。Lookhere，Watkins，youremarkedfiveminutesagothatyouwouldn’tstandforit。Nowletmetellyouafew。You’regoingtostandforitandkeeponstandin’sforit。You’regoingtocontinuesupplyingmeandtakingmypaperuntilthepinchisover。
Howyou’regoingtodoitisyourtrouble，notmine。YourememberwhatIdidtoKlinknerandtheAltamontTrustCompany？Iknowtheinsideofyourbusinessbetterthanyoudoyourself，andifyoutrytodropmeI’llsmashyou。EvenifI’dbegoingtosmashmyself，I’dfindaminutetoturnonyouandbringyoudownwithme。It’ssinkorswimforallofus，andIreckonyou’llfindittoyourinteresttokeepmeontopthepuddle。”
PerhapshisbitterestfightwaswiththestockholdersoftheUnitedWaterCompany，foritwaspracticallythewholeofthegrossearningsofthiscompanythathevotedtolendtohimselfandusedtobolsteruphiswidebattlefront。Yetheneverpushedhisarbitraryruletoofar。Compellingsacrificefromthemenwhosefortunesweretiedupwithhis，neverthelesswhenanyoneofthemwasdriventothewallandwasindireneed，Daylightwastheretohelphimbackintotheline。Onlyastrongmancouldhavesavedsocomplicatedasituationinsuchtimeofstress，andDaylightwasthatman。Heturnedandtwisted，schemedanddevised，bludgeonedandbulliedtheweakerones，keptthefaint-heartedinthefight，andhadnomercyonthedeserter。
Andintheend，whenearlysummerwason，everythingbegantomend。
CameadaywhenDaylightdidtheunprecedented。Helefttheofficeanhourearlierthanusual，andforthereasonthatforthefirsttimesincethepanictherewasnotanitemofworkwaitingtobedone。HedroppedintoHegan’sprivateoffice，beforeleaving，forachat，andashestooduptogo，hesaid:——”Hegan，we’reallhunkadory。We’repullingoutofthefinancialpawnshopinfineshape，andwe’llgetoutwithoutleavingoneunredeemedpledgebehind。Theworstisover，andtheendisinsight。Justatightreinforacouplemoreweeks，justabitofapinchoraflurryorsonowandthen，andwecanletgoandspitonourhands。”
Foroncehevariedhisprogram。Insteadofgoingdirectlytohishotel，hestartedonaroundofthebarsandcafes，drinkingacocktailhereandacocktailthere，andtwoorthreewhenheencounteredmenheknew。ItwasafteranhourorsoofthisthathedroppedintothebaroftheParthenonforonelastdrinkbeforegoingtodinner。Bythistimeallhisbeingwaspleasantlywarmedbythealcohol，andhewasinthemostgenialandbestofspirits。Atthecornerofthebarseveralyoungmenwereuptotheoldtrickofrestingtheirelbowsandattemptingtoforceeachother’shandsdown。Onebroad-shoulderedyounggiantneverremovedhiselbow，butputdowneveryhandthatcameagainsthim。Daylightwasinterested。”It’sSlosson，”thebarkeepertoldhim，inanswertohisquery。”He’stheheavy-hammerthrowerattheU。C。Brokeallrecordsthisyear，andtheworld’srecordontopofit。He’sahuskyallrightallright。”
Daylightnoddedandwentovertohim，placinghisownarminopposition。”I’dliketogoyouaflutter，son，onthatproposition，”hesaid。
Theyoungmanlaughedandlockedhandswithhim；andtoDaylight’sastonishmentitwashisownhandthatwasforceddownonthebar”Holdon，”hemuttered。”Justonemoreflutter。IreckonIwasn’tjustreadythattime。”
Againthehandslocked。Ithappenedquickly。TheoffensiveattackofDaylight’smusclesslippedinstantlyintodefense，and，resistingvainly，hishandwasforcedoveranddown。Daylightwasdazed。Ithadbeennotrick。
Theskillwasequal，or，ifanything，thesuperiorskillhadbeenhis。
Strength，sheerstrength，haddoneit。Hecalledforthedrinks，and，stilldazedandpondering，helduphisownarm，andlookedatitasatsomenewstrangething。Hedidnotknowthisarm。Itcertainlywasnotthearmhehadcarriedaroundwithhimalltheyears。Theoldarm？Why，itwouldhavebeenplaytoturndownthatyounghusky’s。Butthisarm——hecontinuedtolookatitwithsuchdubiousperplexityastobringaroaroflaughterfromtheyoungmen。
Thislaughterarousedhim。Hejoinedinitatfirst，andthenhisfaceslowlygrewgrave。Heleanedtowardthehammer-thrower。”Son，”hesaid，”letmewhisperasecret。Getoutofhereandquitdrinkingbeforeyoubegin。”
Theyoungfellowflushedangrily，butDaylightheldsteadilyon。”Youlistentoyourdad，andlethimsayafew。I’mayoungmanmyself，onlyIain’t。Letmetellyou，severalyearsagoformetoturnyourhanddownwouldhavebeenlikecommittingassaultandbatteryonakindergarten。”
Slossonlookedhisincredulity，whiletheothersgrinnedandclusteredaroundDaylightencouragingly。”Son，Iain’tgiventopreaching。ThisisthefirsttimeIevercometothepenitentform，andyouputmethereyourself——hard。I’veseenafewinmytime，andIain’tfastidioussoasyoucannoticeit。ButletmetellyourightnotthatI’mworththedevilaloneknowshowmanymillions，andthatI’dsuregiveitall，righthereonthebar，toturndownyourhand。WhichmeansI’dgivethewholeshootingmatchjusttobebackwhereIwasbeforeIquitsleepingunderthestarsandcomeintothehen-coopsofcitiestodrinkcocktailsandliftupmyfeetandride。Son，that’sthat’sthematterwithme，andthat’sthewayIfeelaboutit。Thegameain’tworththecandle。Youjusttakecareofyourself，androllmyadviceoveronceinawhile。Goodnight。”
Heturnedandlurchedoutoftheplace，themoraleffectofhisutterancelargelyspoiledbythefactthathewassopatentlyfullwhileheutteredit。
Stillinadaze，Daylightmadetohishotel，accomplishedhisdinner，andpreparedforbed。”Thedamnedyoungwhippersnapper！”hemuttered。”Putmyhanddowneasyasyouplease。Myhand！”
Hehelduptheoffendingmemberandregardeditwithstupidwonder。
Thehandthathadneverbeenbeaten！ThehandthathadmadetheCircleCitygiantswince！Andakidfromcollege，withalaughonhisface，hadputitdown——twice！Dedewasright。Hewasnotthesameman。Thesituationwouldbearmoreseriouslookingintothanhehadevergivenit。Butthiswasnotthetime。Inthemorning，afteragoodsleep，hewouldgiveitconsideration。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXIIPartIIChapterXXIIDaylightawokewiththefamiliarparchedmouthandlipsandthroat，tookalongdrinkofwaterfromthepitcherbesidehisbed，andgatheredupthetrainofthoughtwherehehadleftitthenightbefore。
Hereviewedtheeasementofthefinancialstrain。Thingsweremendingatlast。Whilethegoingwasstillrough，thegreatestdangerswerealreadypast。AshehadtoldHegan，atightreinandcarefulplayingwereallthatwasneedednow。Flurriesanddangerswereboundtocome，butnotsograveastheonestheyhadalreadyweathered。Hehadbeenhithard，buthewascomingthroughwithoutbrokenbones，whichwasmorethanSimonDolliverandmanyanothercouldsay。Andnotoneofhisbusinessfriendshadbeenruined。Hehadcompelledthemtostayinlinetosavehimself，andtheyhadbeensavedaswell。
HismindmovedontotheincidentatthecornerofthebaroftheParthenon，whentheyoungathletehadturnedhishanddown。Hewasnolongerstunnedbytheevent，buthewasshockedandgrieved，asonlyastrongmancanbe，atthispassingofhisstrength。Andtheissuewastooclearforhimtododge，evenwithhimself。Heknewwhyhishandhadgonedown。Notbecausehewasanoldman。Hewasjustinthefirstflushofhisprime，and，byrights，itwasthehandofthehammer-throwerwhichshouldhavegonedown。
Daylightknewthathehadtakenlibertieswithhimself。Hehadalwayslookeduponthisstrengthofhisaspermanent，andhere，foryears，ithadbeensteadilyoozingfromhim。Ashehaddiagnosedit，hehadcomeinfromunderthestarstoroostinthecoopsofcities。Hehadalmostforgottenhowtowalk。Hehadlifteduphisfeetandbeenriddenaroundinautomobiles，cabsandcarriages，andelectriccars。Hehadnotexercised，andhehaddry-rottedhismuscleswithalcohol。
Andwasitworthit？Whatdidallhismoneymeanafterall？Dedewasright。Itcouldbuyhimnomorethanonebedatatime，andatthesametimeitmadehimtheabjectestofslaves。Ittiedhimfast。Hewastiedbyitrightnow。Evenifhesodesired，hecouldnotlieabedthisveryday。Hismoneycalledhim。Theofficewhistlewouldsoonblow，andhemustanswerit。Theearlysunshinewasstreamingthroughhiswindow——afinedayforarideinthehillsonBob，withDedebesidehimonherMab。Yetallhismillionscouldnotbuyhimthisoneday。Oneofthoseflurriesmightcomealong，andhehadtobeonthespottomeetit。Thirtymillions！
AndtheywerepowerlesstopersuadeDedetorideonMab——Mab，whomhehadbought，andwhowasunusedandgrowingfatonpasture。Whatwerethirtymillionswhentheycouldnotbuyamanaridewiththegirlheloved？Thirtymillions！——thatmadehimcomehereandgothere，thatrodeuponhimlikesomanymillstones，thatdestroyedhimwhiletheygrew，thatputtheirfootdownandpreventedhimfromwinningthisgirlwhoworkedforninetydollarsamonth。
Whichwasbetter？heaskedhimself。AllthiswasDede’sownthought。
Itwaswhatshehadmeantwhensheprayedhewouldgobroke。Hehelduphisoffendingrightarm。Itwasn’tthesameoldarm。Ofcourseshecouldnotlovethatarmandthatbodyasshehadlovedthestrong，cleanarmandbodyofyearsbefore。Hedidn’tlikethatarmandbodyhimself。Ayoungwhippersnapperhadbeenabletotakelibertieswithit。Ithadgonebackonhim。Hesatupsuddenly。No，byGod，hehadgonebackonit！Hehadgonebackonhimself。HehadgonebackonDede。Shewasright，athousandtimesright，andshehadsenseenoughtoknowit，senseenoughtorefusetomarryamoneyslavewithawhiskey-rottedcarcass。
Hegotoutofbedandlookedathimselfinthelongmirroronthewardrobedoor。Hewasn’tpretty。Theold-timeleancheeksweregone。Thesewereheavy，seemingtohangdownbytheirownweight。HelookedforthelinesofcrueltyDedehadspokenof，andhefoundthem，andhefoundtheharshnessintheeyesaswell，theeyesthatweremuddynowafterallthecocktailsofthenightbefore，andofthemonthsandyearsbefore。Helookedattheclearlydefinedpouchesthatshowedunderhiseyes，andthey’veshockedhim。Herolledupthesleeveofhispajamas。Nowonderthehammer-throwerhadputhishanddown。Thoseweren’tmuscles。Arisingtideoffathadsubmergedthem。Hestrippedoffthepajamacoat。Againhewasshocked，thistimebutthebulkofhisbody。Itwasn’tpretty。Theleanstomachhadbecomeapaunch。Theridgedmusclesofchestandshouldersandabdomenhadbrokendownintorollsofflesh。
Hesatdownonthebed，andthroughhisminddriftedpicturesofhisyouthfulexcellence，ofthehardshipshehadenduredoverothermen，oftheIndiansanddogshehadrunofftheirlegsintheheart-breakingdaysandnightsontheAlaskantrail，ofthefeatsofstrengththathadmadehimkingoverahuskyraceoffrontiersmen。
Andthiswasage。Thentheredriftedacrossthefieldofvisionofhismind’seyetheoldmanhehadencounteredatGlenEllen，corningupthehillsidethroughthefiresofsunset，white-headedandwhite-bearded，eighty-four，inhishandthepailoffoamingmilkandinhisfaceallthewarmglowandcontentofthepassingsummerday。Thathadbeenage。”Yessiree，eighty-four，andspryerthanmost，”hecouldheartheoldmansay。”AndIain’tloafednone。IwalkedacrossthePlainswithanox-teamandfitInjunsin’51，andIwasafamilymanthenwithsevenyoungsters。”
Nextherememberedtheoldwomanofthechaparral，pressinggrapesinhermountainclearing；andFerguson，thelittlemanwhohadscuttledintotheroadlikearabbit，theone-timemanagingeditorofagreatnewspaper，whowascontenttoliveinthechaparralalongwithhisspringofmountainwaterandhishand-rearedandmanicuredfruittrees。Fergusonhadsolvedaproblem。Aweaklingandanalcoholic，hehadrunawayfromthedoctorsandthechicken-coopofacity，andsoakeduphealthlikeathirstysponge。
Well，Daylightpondered，ifasickmanwhomthedoctorshadgivenupcoulddevelopintoahealthyfarmlaborer，whatcouldn’tamerelystoutmanlikehimselfdoundersimilarcircumstances？Hecaughtavisionofhisbodywithallitsyouthfulexcellencereturned，andthoughtofDede，andsatdownsuddenlyonthebed，startledbythegreatnessoftheideathathadcometohim。
Hedidnotsitlong。Hismind，workinginitscustomaryway，likeasteeltrap，canvassedtheideainallitsbearings。Itwasbig——biggerthananythinghehadfacedbefore。Andhefaceditsquarely，pickeditupinhistwohandsandturneditoverandaroundandlookedatit。Thesimplicityofitdelightedhim。Hechuckledoverit，reachedhisdecision，andbegantodress。Midwayinthedressinghestoppedinordertousethetelephone。
Dedewasthefirsthecalledup。”Don’tcometotheofficethismorning，”hesaid。”I’mcomingouttoseeyouforamoment。”Hecalledupothers。Heorderedhismotor-car。ToJoneshegaveinstructionsfortheforwardingofBobandWolftoGlenEllen。
HeganhesurprisedbyaskinghimtolookupthedeedoftheGlenEllenranchandmakeoutanewoneinDedeMason’sname。”Who？”Hegandemanded。”DedeMason，”Daylightrepliedimperturbablythe’phonemustbeindistinctthismorning。”D-e-d-eM-a-so-n。Gotit？”
HalfanhourlaterhewasflyingouttoBerkeley。Andforthefirsttimethebigredcarhalteddirectlybeforethehouse。Dedeofferedtoreceivehimintheparlor，butheshookhisheadandnoddedtowardherrooms。”Inthere，”hesaid。”Nootherplacewouldsuit。”
Asthedoorclosed，hisarmswentoutandaroundher。Thenhestoodwithhishandsonhershouldersandlookingdownintoherface。”Dede，ifItellyou，flatandstraight，thatI’mgoinguptoliveonthatranchatGlenEllen，thatIain’ttakingacentwithme，thatI’mgoingtoscratchforeverybiteIeat，andthatIain’tgoingtoplayaryacardatthebusinessgameagain，willyoucomealongwithme？”
Shegaveagladlittlecry，andhenestledherinclosely。Butthenextmomentshehadthrustherselfoutfromhimtotheoldpositionatarm’slength。”I-Idon’tunderstand，”shesaidbreathlessly。”Andyouain’tansweredmyproposition，thoughIguessnoanswerisnecessary。We’rejustgoingtogetmarriedrightawayandstart。I’vesentBobandWolfalongalready。Whenwillyoubeready？”
Dedecouldnotforbeartosmile。”My，whatahurricaneofamanitis。
I’mquiteblownaway。Andyouhaven’texplainedawordtome。”
Daylightsmiledresponsively。”Lookhere，Dede，thisiswhatcard-sharpscallashow-down。Nomorephilanderingandfrillsandlong-distancesparringbetweenyouandme。
We’rejustgoingtotalkstraightoutinmeeting——thetruth，thewholetruth，andnothingbutthetruth。Nowyouanswersomequestionsforme，andthenI’llansweryours。”
Hepaused。”Well，I’vegotonlyonequestionafterall:Doyoulovemeenoughtomarryme？””But——”shebegan。”Nobuts，”hebrokeinsharply。”Thisisashow-down。WhenIsaymarry，ImeanwhatItoldyouatfirst，thatwe’dgoupandliveontheranch。
Doyoulovemeenoughforthat？”
Shelookedathimforamoment，thenherlidsdropped，andallofherseemedtoadvertiseconsent。”Comeon，then，let’sstart。”Themusclesofhislegstensedinvoluntarilyasifhewereabouttoleadhertothedoor。”Myauto’swaitingoutside。
There’snothingtodelayexceptinggettingonyourhat。”
Hebentoverher。”Ireckonit’sallowable，”hesaid，ashekissedher。
Itwasalongembrace，andshewasthefirsttospeak。”Youhaven’tansweredmyquestions。Howisthispossible？Howcanyouleaveyourbusiness？Hasanythinghappened？””No，nothing’shappenedyet，butit’sgoingto，blamequick。I’vetakenyourpreachingtoheart，andI’vecometothepenitentform。YouaremyLordGod，andI’msuregoingtoserveyou。Therestcangotothunder。
Youweresureright。I’vebeentheslavetomymoney，andsinceIcan’tservetwomastersI’mlettingthemoneyslide。I’dsoonerhaveyouthanallthemoneyintheworld，that’sall。”Againheheldhercloselyinhisarms。”AndI’vesuregotyou，Dede。I’vesuregotyou。”AndIwanttotellyouafewmore。I’vetakenmylastdrink。You’remarryingawhiskey-soak，butyourhusbandwon’tbethat。He’sgoingtogrowintoanothermansoquickyouwon’tknowhim。Acoupleofmonthsfromnow，upthereinGlenEllen，you’llwakeupsomemorningandfindyou’vegotaperfectstrangerinthehousewithyou，andyou’llhavetogetintroducedtohimalloveragain。You’llsay，’I’mMrs。Harnish，whoareyou？”AndI’llsay，’I’mElamHarnish’syoungerbrother。I’vejustarrivedfromAlaskatoattendthefuneral。’’Whatfuneral？’you’llsay。AndI’llsay，’Why，thefuneralofthatgood-for-nothing，gambling，whiskey-drinkingBurningDaylight——themanthatdiedoffattydegenerationoftheheartfromsittinginnightanddayatthebusinessgame’Yesma’am，’I’llsay，’he’ssureagone’coon，butI’vecometotakehisplaceandmakeyouhappy。Andnow，ma’am，ifyou’llallowme，I’lljustmeanderdowntothepastureandmilkthecowwhileyou’regettingbreakfast。’”
Againhecaughtherhandandmadeasiftostartwithherforthedoor。
Whensheresisted，hebentandkissedheragainandagain。”I’msurehungryforyou，littlewoman，”hemurmured”Youmakethirtymillionslooklikethirtycents。””Dositdownandbesensible，”sheurged，hercheeksflushed，thegoldenlightinhereyesburningmoregoldenthanhehadeverseenitbefore。
ButDaylightwasbentonhavinghisway，andwhenhesatdownitwaswithherbesidehimandhisarmaroundher。”’Yes，ma’am，’I’llsay，’BurningDaylightwasaprettygoodcuss，butit’sbetterthathe’sgone。Hequitrollingupinhisrabbit-skinsandsleepinginthesnow，andwenttolivinginachicken-coop。Helifteduphislegsandquitwalkingandworking，andtooktoexistingonMartinicocktailsandScotchwhiskey。Hethoughthelovedyou，ma’am，andhedidhisbest，buthelovedhiscocktailsmore，andhelovedhismoneymore，andhimselfmore，and’mosteverythingelsemorethanhedidyou。’AndthenI’llsay，’Ma’am，youjustrunyoureyesovermeandseehowdifferentIam。Iain’tgotacocktailthirst，andallthemoneyIgotisadollarandfortycentsandI’vegottobuyanewax，thelastonebeingplumbworeout，andIcanloveyoujustabouteleventimesasmuchasyourfirsthusbanddid。Yousee，ma’am，hewentalltofat。Andthereain’taryounceoffatonme。’AndI’llrollupmysleeveandshowyou，andsay，’Mrs。
Harnish，afterhavingexperiencewithbeingmarriedtothatoldfatmoney-bags，doyou-allmindmarryingaslimyoungfellowlikeme？’Andyou’lljustwipeatearawayforpooroldDaylight，andkindofleantowardmewithawillingexpressioninyoureye，andthenI’llblushmaybesome，beingayoungfellow，andputmyarmaroundyou，likethat，andthen——why，thenI’llupandmarrymybrother’swidow，andgooutanddothechoreswhileshe’scookingabitetoeat。””Butyouhaven’tansweredmyquestions，”shereproachedhim，assheemerged，rosyandradiant，fromtheembracethathadaccompaniedtheculminationofhisnarrative。”Nowjustwhatdoyouwanttoknow？”heasked。”Iwanttoknowhowallthisispossible？Howyouareabletoleaveyourbusinessatatimelikethis？Whatyoumeantbysayingthatsomethingwasgoingtohappenquickly？I——”Shehesitatedandblushed。”Iansweredyourquestion，youknow。””Let’sgoandgetmarried，”heurged，allthewhimsicalityofhisutteranceduplicatedinhiseyes。”YouknowI’vegottomakewayforthathuskyyoungbrotherofmine，andIain’tgotlongtolive。”Shemadeanimpatientmoue，andhecontinuedseriously。”Yousee，it’slikethis，Dede。I’vebeenworkinglikefortyhorseseversincethisblamedpanicsetin，andallthetimesomeofthoseideasyou’dgivenmeweregettingreadytosprout。Well，theysproutedthismorning，that’sall。Istartedtogetup，expectingtogototheofficeasusual。
ButIdidn’tgototheoffice。Allthatsproutingtookplacethereandthen。Thesunwasshininginthewindow，andIknewitwasafinedayinthehills。AndIknewIwantedtorideinthehillswithyoujustaboutthirtymilliontimesmorethanIwantedtogototheoffice。AndIknewallthetimeitwasimpossible。Andwhy？Becauseoftheoffice。Theofficewouldn’tletme。Allmymoneyrearedrightuponitshindlegsandgotinthewayandwouldn’tletme。It’sawaythatblamedmoneyhasofgettingintheway。Youknowthatyourself。”AndthenImadeupmymindthatIwastothedividingoftheways。
Onewayledtotheoffice。TheotherwayledtoBerkeley。
AndItooktheBerkeleyroad。I’mnevergoingtosetfootintheofficeagain。That’sallgone，finished，overanddonewith，andI’mlettingitslidecleantosmashandthensome。Mymind’ssetonthis。Yousee，I’vegotreligion，andit’ssuretheold-timereligion；it’sloveandyou，andit’solderthantheoldestreligionintheworld。It’sIT，that’swhatitis——IT，withacapitalI-T。”
Shelookedathimwithasudden，startledexpression。”Youmean——？”shebegan。”Imeanjustthat。I’mwipingtheslateclean。I’mlettingitallgotosmash。WhenthemthirtymilliondollarsstooduptomyfaceandsaidIcouldn’tgooutwithyouinthehillsto-day，Iknewthetimehadcomeformetoputmyfootdown。AndI’mputtingitdown。I’vegotyou，andmystrengthtoworkforyou，andthatlittleranchinSonoma。That’sallIwant，andthat’sallI’mgoingtosaveout，alongwithBobandWolf，asuitcaseandahundredandfortyhairbridles。Alltherestgoes，andgoodriddance。It’sthatmuchjunk。”
ButDedewasinsistent。”Thenthis——thistremendouslossisallunnecessary？”sheasked。”JustwhatIhaven’tbeentellingyou。ItISnecessary。IfthatmoneythinksitcanstanduprighttomyfaceandsayIcan’tgoridingwithyou-””No，no；beserious，”Dedebrokein。”Idon’tmeanthat，andyouknowit。WhatIwanttoknowis，fromastandpointofbusiness，isthisfailurenecessary？”
Heshookhishead。”Youbetitisn’tnecessary。That’sthepointofit。I’mnotlettinggoofitbecauseI’mlickedtoastandstillbythepanicandhavegottoletgo。I’mfiringitoutwhenI’velickedthepanicandamwinning，handsdown。ThatjustshowshowlittleIthinkofit。It’syouthatcounts，littlewoman，andImakemyplayaccordingly。”
Butshedrewawayfromhisshelteringarms。”Youaremad，Elam。””Callmethatagain，”hemurmuredecstatically。”It’ssuresweeterthanthechinkofmillions。”
Allthissheignored。”It’smadness。Youdon’tknowwhatyouaredoing——””Oh，yes，Ido，”heassuredher。”I’mwinningthedearestwishofmyheart。Why，yourlittlefingerisworthmore——””Dobesensibleforamoment。””Iwasnevermoresensibleinmylie。IknowwhatIwant，andI’mgoingtogetit。Iwantyouandtheopenair。Iwanttogetmyfootoffthepaving-stonesandmyearawayfromthetelephone。
Iwantalittleranch-houseinoneoftheprettiestbitsofcountryGodevermade，andIwanttodothechoresaroundthatranch-house——milkcows，andchopwood，andcurryhorses，andploughtheground，andalltherestofit；andIwantyouthereintheranch-housewithme。I’mplumbtiredofeverythingelse，andcleanworeout。AndI’msuretheluckiestmanalive，forI’vegotwhatmoneycan’tbuy。I’vegotyou，andthirtymillionscouldn’tbuyyou，northreethousandmillions，northirtycents-”
Aknockatthedoorinterruptedhim，andhewaslefttostaredelightedlyattheCrouchedVenusandonaroundtheroomatDede’sdaintypossessions，whilesheansweredthetelephone。”ItisMr。Hegan，”shesaid，onreturning。”Heisholdingtheline。
Hesaysitisimportant。”
Daylightshookhisheadandsmiled。”PleasetellMr。Hegantohangup。I’mdonewiththeofficeandIdon’twanttohearanythingaboutanything。”
Aminutelatershewasbackagain。”Herefusestohangup。HetoldmetotellyouthatUnwinisintheofficenow，waitingtoseeyou，andHarrison，too。Mr。HegansaidthatGrimshawandHodgkinsareintrouble。Thatitlooksasiftheyaregoingtobreak。Andhesaidsomethingaboutprotection。”
Itwasstartlinginformation。BothUnwinandHarrisonrepresentedbigbankingcorporations，andDaylightknewthatifthehouseofGrimshawandHodgkinswentitwouldprecipitateanumberoffailuresandstartaflurryofseriousdimensions。ButDaylightsmiled，andshookhishead，andmimickedthestereotypedofficetoneofvoiceashesaid:——”MissMason，youwillkindlytellMr。Heganthatthereisnothingdoingandtohangup。””Butyoucan’tdothis，”shepleaded。”Watchme，”hegrimlyanswered。”Elam！””Sayitagain’’hecried。”Sayitagain，andadozenGrimshawsandHodgkinscansmash！”
Hecaughtherbythehandanddrewhertohim。”YouletHeganhangontothatlinetillhe’stired。Wecan’tbewastingasecondonhimonadaylikethis。He’sonlyinlovewithbooksandthings，butI’vegotareallivewomaninmyarmsthat’slovingmeallthetimeshe’skickingoverthetraces。”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXIIIPartIIChapterXXIII”ButIknowsomethingofthefightyouhavebeenmaking，”Dedecontended。”Ifyoustopnow，alltheworkyouhavedone，everything，willbedestroyed。Youhavenorighttodoit。Youcan’tdoit。”
Daylightwasobdurate。Heshookhisheadandsmiledtantalizingly。”Nothingwillbedestroyed，Dede，nothing。Youdon’tunderstandthisbusinessgame。It’sdoneonpaper。Don’tyousee？Where’sthegoldIdugoutofKlondike？Why，it’sintwenty-dollargoldpieces，ingoldwatches，inweddingrings。Nomatterwhathappenstome，thetwenty-dollarpieces，thewatches，andtheweddingringsremain。SupposeIdiedrightnow。Itwouldn’taffectthegoldoneiota。It’ssurethesamewiththispresentsituation。AllIstandforispaper。I’vegotthepaperforthousandsofacresofland。Allright。Burnupthepaper，andburnmealongwithit。
Thelandremains，don’tit？Therainfallsonit，theseedssproutinit，thetreesgrowoutofit，thehousesstandonit，theelectriccarsrunoverit。It’spaperthatbusinessisrunon。Ilosemypaper，orIlosemylife，it’sallthesame；itwon’talteronegrainofsandinallthatland，ortwistonebladeofgrassaroundsideways。”Nothingisgoingtobelost——notonepileoutofthedocks，notonerailroadspike，notoneounceofsteamoutofthegaugeofaferry-boat。
Thecarswillgoonrunning，whetherIholdthepaperorsomebodyelseholdsit。ThetidehassettowardOakland。Peoplearebeginningtopourin。We’resellingbuildinglotsagain。Thereisnostoppingthattide。
Nomatterwhathappenstomeorthepaper，themthreehundredthousandfolksarecominginthesame。Andthere’llbecarstocarrythemaround，andhousestoholdthem，andgoodwaterforthemtodrinkandelectricitytogivethemlight，andalltherest。”
BythistimeHeganhadarrivedinanautomobile。Thehonkofitcameinthroughtheopenwindow，andtheysaw，itstopalongsidethebigredmachine。InthecarwereUnwinandHarrison，whileJonessatwiththechauffeur”I’llseeHegan，”DaylighttoldDede。”There’snoneedfortherest。
Theycanwaitinthemachine。””Ishedrunk？”HeganwhisperedtoDedeatthedoor。
Sheshookherheadandshowedhimin。”Goodmorning，Larry，”wasDaylight’sgreeting。”Sitdownandrestyourfeet。Yousureseemtobeinaflutter。””Iam，”thelittleIrishmansnappedback。”GrimshawandHodgkinsaregoingtosmashifsomethingisn’tdonequick。Whydidn’tyoucometotheoffice？Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？””Nothing，”Daylightdrawledlazily。”Exceptletthemsmash，Iguess——””But——””I’vehadnodealingswithGrimshawandHodgkins。Idon’towethemanything。
Besides，I’mgoingtosmashmyself。Lookhere，Larry，youknowme。YouknowwhenImakeupmymindImeanit。Well，I’vesuremadeupmymind。
I’mtiredofthewholegame。I’mlettinggoofitasfastasIcan，andasmashisthequickestwaytoletgo。”
Heganstaredathischief，thenpassedhishorror-strickengazeontoDede，whonoddedinsympathy。”Solethersmash，Larry，”Daylightwenton。”Allyou’vegottodoistoprotectyourselfandallourfriends。NowyoulistentomewhileItellyouwhattodo。Everythingisingoodshapetodoit。Nobodymustgethurt。
Everybodythatstoodbymemustcomethroughwithoutdamage。Allthebackwagesandsalariesmustbepaidpronto。AllthemoneyI’veswitchedawayfromthewatercompany，thestreetcars，andtheferriesmustbeswitchedback。Andyouwon’tgethurtyourselfnone。Everycompanyyougotstockinwillcomethrough-””Youarecrazy，Daylight！”thelittlelawyercriedout。”Thisisallbabblinglunacy。Whatisthematterwithyou？Youhaven’tbeeneatingadrugorsomething？””Isurehave！”Daylightsmiledreply。”AndI’mnowcoughingitup。I’msickoflivinginacityandplayingbusiness——I’mgoingofftothesunshine，andthecountry，andthegreengrass。AndDede，here，isgoingwithme。
Soyou’vegotthechancetobethefirsttocongratulateme。””Congratulatethe——thedevil！”Heganspluttered。”I’mnotgoingtostandforthissortoffoolishness。””Oh，yes，youare；becauseifyoudon’tthere’llbeabiggersmashandsomefolkswillmostlikelygethurt。You’reworthamillionormoreyourself，now，andifyoulistentomeyoucomethroughwithawholeskin。Iwanttogethurt，andgethurttothelimit。That’swhatI’mlookingfor，andthere’snomanorbunchofmencangetbetweenmeandwhatI’mlookingfor。Savvee，Hegan？Savvee？””Whathaveyoudonetohim？”HegansnarledatDede。”Holdonthere，Larry。”ForthefirsttimeDaylight’svoicewassharp，whilealltheoldlinesofcrueltyinhisfacestoodforth。”MissMasonisgoingtobemywife，andwhileIdon’tmindyourtalkingtoherallyouwant，you’vegottouseadifferenttoneofvoiceoryou’llbeheadingforahospital，whichwillsurebeanunexpectedsortofsmash。Andletmetellyouoneotherthing。This-allismydoing。ShesaysI’mcrazy，too。”
Heganshookhisheadinspeechlesssadnessandcontinuedtostare。”There’llbetemporaryreceiverships，ofcourse，”Daylightadvised；”buttheywon’tbothernoneorlastlong。Whatyoumustdoimmediatelyistosaveeverybody——thementhathavebeenlettingtheirwagesridewithme，allthecreditors，andalltheconcernsthathavestoodby。There’sthewadoflandthatNewJerseycrowdhasbeendickeringfor。They’lltakeallofacoupleofthousandacresandwillclosenowifyougivethemhalfachance。ThatFairmountsectionisthecreamofit，andthey’lldigupashighasathousanddollarsanacreforapartofit。That’llhelpoutsome。Thatfive-hundredacretractbeyond，you’llbeluckyiftheypaytwohundredanacre。”
Dede，whohadbeenscarcelylistening，seemedabruptlytomakeuphermind，andsteppedforwardwheresheconfrontedthetwomen。Herfacewaspale，butsetwithdetermination，sothatDaylight，lookingatit，wasremindedofthedaywhenshefirstrodeBob。”Wait，”shesaid。”Iwanttosaysomething。Elam，ifyoudothisinsanething，Iwon’tmarryyou。Irefusetomarryyou。”
Hegan，inspiteofhismisery，gaveheraquick，gratefullook。”I’lltakemychanceonthat，”Daylightbegan。”Wait！”sheagaininterrupted。”Andifyoudon’tdothisthing，Iwillmarryyou。””Letmegetthispropositionclear。”Daylightspokewithexasperatingslownessanddeliberation。”AsIunderstandit，ifIkeeprightonatthebusinessgame，you’llsuremarryme？You’llmarrymeifIkeeponworkingmyheadoffanddrinkingMartinis？”
Aftereachquestionhepaused，whileshenoddedanaffirmation。”Andyou’llmarrymerightaway？””Yes。””To-day？Now？””Yes。”
Heponderedforamoment。”No，littlewoman，Iwon’tdoit。Itwon’twork，andyouknowityourself。
Iwantyou——allofyou；andtogetitI’llhavetogiveyouallofmyself，andthere’llbedarnlittleofmyselfleftovertogiveifIstaywiththebusinessgame。Why，Dede，withyouontheranchwithme，I’msureofyou——andofmyself。I’msureofyou，anyway。Youcantalkwillorwon’tallyouwant，butyou’resuregoingtomarrymejustthesame。Andnow，Larry，you’dbetterbegoing。I’llbeatthehotelinalittlewhile，andsinceI’mnotgoingastepintotheofficeagain，bringallpaperstosignandtherestovertomyrooms。Andyoucangetmeonthe’phonethereanytime。Thissmashisgoingthrough。Savvee？I’mquitanddone。”
HestoodupasasignforHegantogo。Thelatterwasplainlystunned。
Healsorosetohisfeet，butstoodlookinghelplesslyaround。”Sheer，downright，absoluteinsanity，”hemuttered。
Daylightputhishandontheother’sshoulder。”Buckup，Larry。You’realwaystalkingaboutthewondersofhumannature，andhereIamgivingyouanothersampleofitandyouain’tappreciatingit。I’mabiggerdreamerthanyouare，that’sall，andI’msuredreamingwhat’scomingtrue。It’sthebiggest，bestdreamIeverhad，andI’mgoingafterittogetit——””Bylosingallyou’vegot，”Heganexplodedathim。”Sure——bylosingallI’vegotthatIdon’twant。ButI’mhangingontothemhundredandfortyhairbridlesjustthesame。Nowyou’dbetterhustleouttoUnwinandHarrisonandgetondowntown。I’llbeatthehotel，andyoucancallmeupanytime。”
HeturnedtoDedeassoonasHeganwasgone，andtookherbythehand。”Andnow，littlewoman，youneedn’tcometotheofficeanymore。Consideryourselfdischarged。AndrememberIwasyouremployer，soyou’vegottocometomeforrecommendation，andifyou’renotrealgood，Iwon’tgiveyouone。Inthemeantime，youjustrestupandthinkaboutwhatthingsyouwanttopack，becausewe’lljustabouthavetosetuphousekeepingonyourstuff——leastways，thefrontpartofthehouse。””But，Elam，Iwon’t，Iwon’t！IfyoudothismadthingIneverwillmarryyou。”
Sheattemptedtotakeherhandaway，butheclosedonitwithaprotecting，fatherlyclasp。”Willyoubestraightandhonest？Allright，heregoes。Whichwouldyousoonerhave——meandthemoney，ormeandtheranch？””But-”shebegan。”Nobuts。Meandthemoney？”
Shedidnotanswer。”Meandtheranch？”
Stillshedidnotanswer，andstillhewasundisturbed。”Yousee，Iknowyouranswer，Dede，andthere’snothingmoretosay。
Here’swhereyouandIquitandhitthehighplacesforSonoma。Youmakeupyourmindwhatyouwanttopack，andI’llhavesomemenouthereinacoupleofdaystodoitforyou。Itwillbeaboutthelastworkanybodyelseeverdoesforus。YouandIwilldotheunpackingandthearrangingourselves。”
Shemadealastattempt。”Elam，won’tyoubereasonable？Thereistimetoreconsider。IcantelephonedownandcatchMr。Heganassoonashereachestheoffice——””Why，I’mtheonlyreasonablemaninthebunchrightnow，”herejoined。”Lookatme——ascalmasyouplease，andashappyasaking，whilethey’reflutteringaroundlikealotofcrankyhenswhoseheadsareliabletobecutoff。””I’dcry，ifIthoughtitwoulddoanygood，”shethreatened。”InwhichcaseIreckonI’dhavetoholdyouinmyarmssomemoreandsortofsootheyoudown，”hethreatenedback。”AndnowI’mgoingtogo。
It’stoobadyougotridofMab。Youcouldhavesentheruptotheranch。
Butseeyou’vegotamaretorideofsomesortorother。”
Ashestoodatthetopofthesteps，leaving，shesaid:-”Youneedn’tsendthosemen。Therewillbenopacking，becauseIamnotgoingtomarryyou。””I’mnotabitscared，”heanswered，andwentdownthesteps。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXIVPartIIChapterXXIVThreedayslater，DaylightrodetoBerkeleyinhisredcar。
Itwasforthelasttime，foronthemorrowthebigmachinepassedintoanother’spossession。Ithadbeenastrenuousthreedays，forhissmashhadbeenthebiggestthepanichadprecipitatedinCalifornia。Thepapershadbeenfilledwithit，andagreatcryofindignationhadgoneupfromtheverymenwholaterfoundthatDaylighthadfullyprotectedtheirinterests。
Itwasthesefacts，comingslowlytolight，thatgaverisetothewidelyrepeatedchargethatDaylighthadgoneinsane。Itwastheunanimousconvictionamongbusinessmenthatnosanemancouldpossiblybehaveinsuchfashion。
Ontheotherhand，neitherhisprolongedsteadydrinkingnorhisaffairwithDedebecamepublic，sotheonlyconclusionattainablewasthatthewildfinancierfromAlaskahadgonelunatic。AndDaylighthadgrinnedandconfirmedthesuspicionbyrefusingtoseethereporters。
HehaltedtheautomobilebeforeDede’sdoor，andmetherwithhissamerushingtactics，enclosingherinhisarmsbeforeawordcouldbeuttered。
Notuntilafterward，whenshehadrecoveredherselffromhimandgothimseated，didhebegintospeak。”I’vedoneit，”heannounced。”You’veseenthenewspapers，ofcourse。
I’mplumbcleanedout，andI’vejustcalledaroundtofindoutwhatdayyoufeellikestartingforGlenEllen。It’llhavetobesoon，forit’srealexpensivelivinginOaklandthesedays。Myboardatthehotelisonlypaidtotheendoftheweek，andIcan’taffordtostayafterthat。Andbeginningwithto-morrowI’vegottousethestreetcars，andtheysureeatupthenickels。”
Hepaused，andwaited，andlookedather。Indecisionandtroubleshowedonherface。Thenthesmileheknewsowellbegantogrowonherlipsandinhereyes，untilshethrewbackherheadandlaughedintheoldforthrightboyishway。”Whenarethosemencomingtopackforme？”sheasked。
Andagainshelaughedandsimulatedavainattempttoescapehisbearlikearms。”DearElam，”shewhispered；”dearElam。”Andofherself，forthefirsttime，shekissedhim。
Sheranherhandcaressinglythroughhishair。”Youreyesareallgoldrightnow，”hesaid。”Icanlookinthemandtelljusthowmuchyouloveme。””Theyhavebeenallgoldforyou，Elam，foralongtime。Ithink，onourlittleranch，theywillalwaysbeallgold。””Yourhairhasgoldinit，too，asortoffierygold。”Heturnedherfacesuddenlyandhelditbetweenhishandsandlookedlongintohereyes。”Andyoureyeswerefullofgoldonlytheotherday，whenyousaidyouwouldn’tmarryme。”
Shenoddedandlaughed。”Youwouldhaveyourwill，”sheconfessed。”ButIcouldn’tbeapartytosuchmadness。Allthatmoneywasyours，notmine。ButIwaslovingyouallthetime，Elam，forthegreatbigboyyouare，breakingthethirty-milliontoywithwhichyouhadgrowntiredofplaying。AndwhenIsaidno，Iknewallthetimeitwasyes。AndIamsurethatmyeyesweregoldenallthetime。Ihadonlyonefear，andthatwasthatyouwouldfailtoloseeverything。
Because，dear，IknewIshouldmarryyouanyway，andIdidsowantjustyouandtheranchandBobandWolfandthosehorse-hairbridles。ShallItellyouasecret？Assoonasyouleft，ItelephonedthemantowhomIsoldMab。”
Shehidherfaceagainsthisbreastforaninstant，andthenlookedathimagain，gladlyradiant。”Yousee，Elam，inspiteofwhatmylipssaid，mymindwasmadeupthen。
I——Isimplyhadtomarryyou。ButIwasprayingyouwouldsucceedinlosingeverything。AndsoItriedtofindwhathadbecomeofMab。Butthemanhadsoldheranddidnotknowwhathadbecomeofher。Yousee，IwantedtoridewithyouovertheGlenEllenhills，onMabandyouonBob，justasIhadriddenwithyouthroughthePiedmonthills。”
ThedisclosureofMab’swhereaboutstrembledonDaylight’slips，butheforbore。”I’llpromiseyouamarethatyou’lllikejustasmuchasMab，”hesaid。
ButDedeshookherhead，andonthatonepointrefusedtobecomforted。”Now，I’vegotanidea，”Daylightsaid，hasteningtogettheconversationonlessperilousground。”We’rerunningawayfromcities，andyouhavenokithnorkin，soitdon’tseemexactlyrightthatweshouldstartoffbygettingmarriedinacity。Sohere’stheidea:I’llrunuptotheranchandgetthingsinshapearoundthehouseandgivethecaretakerhiswalking-papers。
Youfollowmeinacoupleofdays，comingonthemorningtrain。I’llhavethepreacherfixedandwaiting。Andhere’sanotheridea。Youbringyourridingtogsinasuitcase。Andassoonastheceremony’sover，youcangotothehotelandchange。Thenoutyoucome，andyoufindmewaitingwithacoupleofhorses，andwe’llrideoverthelandscapesoasyoucanseetheprettiestpartsoftheranchthefirstthing。Andshe’ssurepretty，thatranch。Andnowthatit’ssettled，I’llbewaitingforyouatthemorningtraindayafterto-morrow。”
Dedeblushedasshespoke。”Youaresuchahurricane。””Well，ma’am，”hedrawled，”Isurehatetoburndaylight。AndyouandIhaveburnedaheapofdaylight。We’vebeenscandalouslyextravagant。
Wemighthavebeenmarriedyearsago。”
Twodayslater，DaylightstoodwaitingoutsidethelittleGlenEllenhotel。Theceremonywasover，andhehadleftDedetogoinsideandchangeintoherriding-habitwhilehebroughtthehorses。Heheldthemnow，BobandMab，andintheshadowofthewatering-troughWolflayandlookedon。
AlreadytwodaysofardentCaliforniasunhadtouchedwithnewfirestheancientbronzeinDaylight’sface。ButwarmerstillwastheglowthatcameintohischeeksandburnedinhiseyesashesawDedecomingoutthedoor，riding-whipinhand，cladinthefamiliarcorduroyskirtandleggingsoftheoldPiedmontdays。Therewaswarmthandglowinherownfaceassheansweredhisgazeandglancedonpasthimtothehorses。ThenshesawMab。
Buthergazeleapedbacktotheman。”Oh，Elam！”shebreathed。
Itwasalmostaprayer，butaprayerthatincludedathousandmeaningsDaylightstrovetofeignsheepishness，buthisheartwassingingtoowildasongformereplayfulness。Allthingshadbeeninthenamingofhisname——reproach，refinedawaybygratitude，andallcompoundedofjoyandlove。
Shesteppedforwardandcaressedthemare，andagainturnedandlookedattheman，andbreathed:——”Oh，Elam！”
Andallthatwasinhervoicewasinhereyes，andinthemDaylightglimpsedaprofunditydeeperandwiderthananyspeechorthought——thewholevastinarticulatemysteryandwonderofsexandlove。
Againhestroveforplayfulnessofspeech，butitwastoogreatamomentforevenlovefractiousnesstoenterin。Neitherspoke。Shegatheredthereins，and，bending，Daylightreceivedherfootinhishand。Shesprang，asheliftedandgainedthesaddle。Thenextmomenthewasmountedandbesideher，and，withWolfslidingalongaheadinhistypicalwolf-trot，theywentupthehillthatledoutoftown——twoloversontwochestnutsorrelsteeds，ridingoutandawaytohoneymoonthroughthewarmsummerday。Daylightfelthimselfdrunkenaswithwine。Hewasatthetopmostpinnacleoflife。Higherthanthisnomancouldclimbnorhadeverclimbed。
Itwashisdayofdays，hislove-timeandhismating-time，andallcrownedbythisvirginalpossessionofamatewhohadsaid”Oh，Elam，”asshehadsaidit，andlookedathimoutofhersoulasshehadlooked。
Theyclearedthecrestofthehill，andhewatchedthejoymountinherfaceasshegazedonthesweet，freshland。Hepointedoutthegroupofheavilywoodedknollsacrosstherollingstretchesofripegrain。”They’reours，”hesaid。”Andthey’reonlyasampleoftheranch。Waittillyouseethebigcanon。Thereare’coonsdownthere，andbackhereontheSonomatherearemink。Anddeer！——why，thatmountain’ssurethickwiththem，andIreckonwecanscareupamountain-lionifwewanttorealhard。And，say，there’salittlemeadow=-well，Iain’tgoingtotellyouanotherword。Youwaitandseeforyourself。”
Theyturnedinatthegate，wheretheroadtotheclay-pitcrossedthefields，andbothsniffedwithdelightasthewarmaromaoftheripehayroseintheirnostrils。Asonhisfirstvisit，thelarkswereutteringtheirrichnotesandflutteringupbeforethehorsesuntilthewoodsandtheflower-scatteredgladeswerereached，whenthelarksgavewaytobluejaysandwoodpeckers。”We’reonourlandnow，”hesaid，astheyleftthehayfieldbehind。”Itrunsrightacrosscountryovertheroughestparts。Justyouwaitandsee。”
Asonthefirstday，heturnedasidefromtheclay-pitandworkedthroughthewoodstotheleft，passingthefirstspringandjumpingthehorsesovertheruinedremnantsofthestake-and-riderfence。Fromhereon，Dedewasinanunendingecstasy。Bythespringthatgurgledamongtheredwoodsgrewanothergreatwildlily，bearingonitsslenderstalktheprodigiousoutburstofwhitewaxenbells。Thistimehedidnotdismount，butledthewaytothedeepcanonwherethestreamhadcutapassageamongtheknolls。
Hehadbeenatworkhere，andasteepandslipperyhorsetrailnowcrossedthecreek，sotheyrodeupbeyond，throughthesomberredwoodtwilight，and，fartheron，throughatangledwoodofoakandmadrono。Theycametoasmallclearingofseveralacres，wherethegrainstoodwaisthigh。”Ours，”Daylightsaid。
Shebentinhersaddle，pluckedastalkoftheripegrain，andnibbleditbetweenherteeth。”Sweetmountainhay，”shecried。”ThekindMablikes。”
Andthroughouttherideshecontinuedtouttercriesandejaculationsofsurpriseanddelight。”Andyounevertoldmeallthis！”shereproachedhim，astheylookedacrossthelittleclearingandoverthedescendingslopesofwoodstothegreatcurvingsweepofSonomaValley。”Come，”hesaid；andtheyturnedandwentbackthroughtheforestshade，crossedthestreamandcametothelilybythespring。
Here，also，wherethewayledupthetangleofthesteephill，hehadcutaroughhorsetrail。Astheyforcedtheirwayupthezigzags，theycaughtglimpsesoutanddownthroughtheseaoffoliage。Yetalwaysweretheirfarthestglimpsesstoppedbytheclosingvistasofgreen，and，yetalways，astheyclimbed，didtheforestroofarchoverhead，withonlyhereandthereriftsthatpermittedshatteredshaftsofsunlighttopenetrate。
Andallaboutthemwereferns，ascoreofvarieties，fromthetinygold-backsandmaidenhairtohugebrakessixandeightfeettall。
Belowthem，astheymounted，theyglimpsedgreatgnarledtrunksandbranchesofancienttrees，andabovethemweresimilargreatgnarledbranches。
Dedestoppedherhorseandsighedwiththebeautyofitall。”Itisasifweareswimmers，”shesaid，”risingoutofadeeppoolofgreentranquillity。Upaboveistheskyandthesun，butthisisapool，andwearefathomsdeep。”
Theystartedtheirhorses，butadog-toothviolet，shoulderingamongstthemaidenhair，caughthereyeandmadeherreininagain。
Theyclearedthecrestandemergedfromthepoolasifintoanotherworld，fornowtheywereinthethicketofvelvet-trunkedyoungmadronosandlookingdowntheopen，sun-washedhillside，acrossthenoddinggrasses，tothedriftsofblueandwhitenemophilaethatcarpetedthetinymeadowoneithersidethetinystream。Dedeclappedherhands。”It’ssureprettierthanofficefurniture，”Daylightremarked。”Itsureis，”sheanswered。
AndDaylight，whoknewhisweaknessintheuseoftheparticularwordsure，knewthatshehadrepeateditdeliberatelyandwithlove。
Theycrossedthestreamandtookthecattletrackoverthelowrockyhillandthroughthescrubforestofmanzanita，tilltheyemergedonthenexttinyvalleywithitsmeadow-borderedstreamlet。”Ifwedon’trunintosomequailprettysoon，I’llbesurprisedsome，”
Daylightsaid。
AndasthewordslefthislipstherewasawildseriesofexplosivethrummingastheoldquailarosefromallaboutWolf，whiletheyoungonesscuttledforsafetyanddisappearedmiraculouslybeforethespectators’
veryeyes。
Heshowedherthehawk’snesthehadfoundinthelightning-shatteredtopoftheredwood，andshediscoveredawood-rat’snestwhichhehadnotseenbefore。Nexttheytooktheoldwood-roadandcameoutonthedozenacresofclearingwherethewinegrapesgrewinthewine-coloredvolcanicsoil。Thentheyfollowedthecow-paththroughmorewoodsandthicketsandscatteredglades，anddroppeddownthehillsidetowherethefarm-house，poisedonthelipofthebigcanon，cameintoviewonlywhentheywererightuponit。
DedestoodonthewideporchthatranthelengthofthehousewhileDaylighttiedthehorses。ToDedeitwasveryquiet。Itwasthedry，warm，breathlesscalmofCaliforniamidday。Alltheworldseemeddozing。Fromsomewherepigeonswerecooinglazily。Withadeepsighofsatisfaction，Wolf，whohaddrunkhisfillatallthestreamsalongtheway，droppeddowninthecoolshadowoftheporch。SheheardthefootstepsofDaylightreturning，andcaughtherbreathwithaquickintake。Hetookherhandinhis，and，asheturnedthedoor-knob，feltherhesitate。Thenheputhisarmaroundher；thedoorswungopen，andtogethertheypassedin。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterXXVPartIIChapterXXVManypersons，themselvescity-bredandcity-reared，havefledtothesoilandsucceededinwinninggreathappiness。Insuchcasestheyhavesucceededonlybygoingthroughaprocessofsavagedisillusionment。
ButwithDedeandDaylightitwasdifferent。Theyhadbothbeenbornonthesoil，andtheyknewitsnakedsimplicitiesandrawerways。Theywereliketwopersons，afterfarwandering，whohadmerelycomehomeagain。
Therewaslessoftheunexpectedintheirdealingswithnature，whiletheirswasallthedelightofreminiscence。Whatmightappearsordidandsqualidtothefastidiouslyreared，wastothememinentlywholesomeandnatural。
Thecommerceofnaturewastothemnounknownanduntriedtrade。Theymadefewermistakes。Theyalreadyknew，anditwasajoytorememberwhattheyhadforgotten。
Andanotherthingtheylearnedwasthatitwaseasierforonewhohasgorgedattheflesh-potstocontenthimselfwiththemeagernessofacrust，thanforonewhohasknownonlythecrust。