第18章

Horn"s；butshedidherbestwithhimastheonlyflirtablematerialwhichhadyetcometoherhand。Itwouldhavebeenheridealtohavetheyoungmenstaytillpastmidnight，andherfathercomedown-stairsinhisstocking-feetandtellthemitwastimetogo。Buttheymadeavisitofdecorousbrevity，andKendricksdidnotcomeagain。Shemethimafterward，once，asshewascrossingthepavementinUnionSquaretogetintohercoupe，andmadethemostofhim；butitwasnecessarilyverylittle，andsohepassedoutofherlifewithouthavingleftanytraceinherheart，thoughMelahadaheartthatshewouldhaveputatthedispositionofalmostanyyoungmanthatwantedit。Kendrickshimself，Manhattancockneyashewas，withscarcelymoreoutlookintotheaverageAmericannaturethanifhehadbeenkeptaprisonerinNewYorksocietyallhisdays，perceivedapropertyinherwhichforbadehimasamanofconsciencetotriflewithher；somethingearthlygoodandkind，ifitwassimpleandvulgar。Inrevisinghisimpressionsofher，itseemedtohimthatshewouldcomeeventobetterliteraryeffectifthiswererecognizedinher；anditmadehersacred，inspiteofherwillingnesstofoolandtobefooled，inhermerelyhumanquality。Afterall，hesawthatshewishedhonestlytoloveandtobeloved，andtheluresshethrewouttothatendseemedtohimpatheticratherthanridiculous；hecouldnotjoinBeatoninlaughingather；andhedidnotlikeBeaton"slaughingattheothergirl，either。ItseemedtoKendricks，withthecodeofhonorwhichhemostlykepttohimselfbecausehewasalittleashamedtofindthereweresofewotherslikeit，thatifBeatoncarednothingfortheothergirl——andChristineappearedsimplydetestabletoKendricks——

hehadbetterkeepawayfromher，andnotgivehertheimpressionhewasinlovewithher。Heratherfanciedthatthiswasthepartofagentleman，andhecouldnothavepenetratedtothataestheticandmoralcomplexitywhichformedtheconsciousnessofanaturelikeBeaton"sandwaschieflyatormenttoitself；hecouldnothaveconceivedofthewaywardimpulsesindulgedateverymomentinlittlethingstillthestraighthighwaywastraversedandwell-nighlostundertheirtangle。

Todowhateveronelikesisfinallytodonothingthatonelikes，eventhoughonecontinuestodowhatonewill；butKendricks，thoughasageoftwenty-seven，wasstilltooyoungtounderstandthis。

Beatonscarcelyunderstoodithimself，perhapsbecausehewasnotyettwenty-seven。Heonlyknewthathiswillwassomehowsick；thatitspentitselfincaprices，andbroughthimnohappinessfromthefulfilmentofthemostvehementwish。Buthewasawarethathiswishesgrewlessandlessvehement；hebegantohaveafearthatsometimehemighthavenoneatall。Itseemedtohimthatifhecouldoncedosomethingthatwasthoroughlydistastefultohimself，hemightmakeabeginningintherightdirection；butwhenhetriedthisonasmallscale，itfailed，anditseemedstupid。Somesortofexpiationwasthethingheneeded，hewassure；buthecouldnotthinkofanythinginparticulartoexpiate；amancouldnotexpiatehistemperament，andhistemperamentwaswhatBeatondecidedtobeatfault。Heperceivedthatitwentdeeperthanevenfatewouldhavegone；hecouldhavefulfilledanevildestinyandhaddonewithit，howeverterrible。Histroublewasthathecouldnotescapefromhimself；and，forthemostpart，hejustifiedhimselfinrefusingtotry。

AfterhehadcometothatdistinctunderstandingwithAlmaLeighton，andexperiencedthereliefitreallygavehim，hethoughtforawhilethatifithadfallenoutotherwise，andshehadputhiminchargeofherdestiny，hemighthavebeenbetterabletomanagehisown。Butasitwas，hecouldonlydrift，andletallotherthingstaketheircourse。

Itwasnecessarythatheshouldgotoseeherafterward，toshowherthathewasequaltotheevent；buthedidnotgosooften，andhewentratheroftenertotheDryfooses；itwasnoteasytoseeMargaretVance，exceptonthesocietyterms。Withmuchsneeringandscorning，hefulfilledthedutiestoMrs。Hornwithoutwhichheknewheshouldbedroppedfromherlist；butonemightgotomanyofherThursdayswithoutgettingmanywordswithherniece。Beatonhardlyknewwhetherhewantedmany；thegirlkeptthecharmofherinnocentstylishness；butlatterlyshewantedtotalkmoreaboutsocialquestionsthanaboutthepsychicalproblemsthatyoungpeopleusuallydebatesopersonally。Sonoftheworking-

peopleashewas，Beatonhadnevercaredanythingaboutsuchmatters；

hedidnotknowaboutthemorwishtoknow；hewasperhapstoonearthem。

Besides，therewasanembarrassment，atleastonherpart，concerningtheDryfooses。Shewastoohigh-mindedtoblamehimforhavingtemptedhertoherfailurewiththembyhistalkaboutthem；butshewasconsciousofavoidingtheminhertalk。Shehaddecidednottorenewtheeffortshehadmadeinthespring；becauseshecouldnotdothemgoodasfellow-

creaturesneedingfoodandwarmthandwork，andshewouldnottrytobefriendthemsocially；shehadahorrorofanysuchfutilesentimentality。ShewouldhavelikedtoaccounttoBeatoninthiswayforacoursewhichshesuspectedhemusthaveheardtheircommentsupon，butshedidnotquiteknowhowtodoit；shecouldnotbesurehowmuchorhowlittlehecaredforthem。Sometentativeapproacheswhichshemadetowardexplanationweremetwithsucheagerdisclaimofpersonalinterestthatsheknewlessthanbeforewhattothink；andsheturnedthetalkfromthesisterstothebrother，whomitseemedshestillcontinuedtomeetintheircommonworkamongthepoor。

"Heseemsverydifferent，"sheventured。

"Oh，quite，"saidBeaton。"He"sthekindofpersonthatyoumightsupposegavetheCatholicsahintforthecloistrallife；he"sacloisterednature——thenaturethatatonesandsuffersfor。Buthe"sawfullydullcompany，don"tyouthink?Inevercangetanythingoutofhim。"

"He"sverymuchinearnest。"

"Remorselessly。We"vegotaprofaneandmundanecreaturethereattheofficewhorunsusall，andit"sshockingmerelytoseethecontactofthetyronatures。WhenFulkersongetstojokingDryfoos——helikestoputhisjokeintheformofapretencethatDryfoosisactuatedbyaselfishmotive，thathehasaneyetooffice，andisworkingupapoliticalinterestforhimselfontheEastSide——it"ssomethinginexpressible。"

"Ishouldthinkso，"saidMissVance，withsuchloftydisapprovalthatBeatonfelthimselfincludedinitforhavingmerelytoldwhatcausedit。

Hecouldnothelpsaying，innaturalrebellion，"Well，themanofoneideaisalwaysalittleridiculous。"

"Whenhisideaisright?"shedemanded。"Arightideacan"tberidiculous。"

"Oh，Ionlysaidthemanthathelditwas。He"sflat；hehasnorelief，noprojection。"

Sheseemedunabletoanswer，andheperceivedthathehadsilencedhertohisown，disadvantage。ItappearedtoBeatonthatshewasbecomingalittletooexactingforcomfortinheridealism。Heputdownthecupofteahehadbeentasting，andsaid，inhissolemnstaccato:"Imustgo。

Good-bye!"andgotinstantlyawayfromher，withaneffecthehadofhavingsuddenlythoughtofsomethingimperative。

HewentuptoMrs。Hornforamoment"shailandfarewell，andfelthimselfsubtlydetainedbyherthroughfugitivepassagesofconversationwithhalfadozenotherpeople。HefanciedthatatcrisesofthisstrangeinterviewMrs。Hornwasabouttobecomeconfidentialwithhim，andconfidential，ofallthings，aboutherniece。Sheendedbynothavingpalpablybeenso。Infact，theconcerninhermindwouldhavebeendifficulttoimparttoayoungman，andafterseveralexperimentsMrs。HornfounditimpossibletosaythatshewishedMargaretcouldsomehowbeinterestedinlowerthingsthanthosewhichoccupiedher。

Shehadwatchedwithgrowinganxietythegirl"stendencytovariouskindsofself-devotion。Shehaddarkhoursinwhichsheevenfearedherentirewithdrawalfromtheworldinalifeofgoodworks。Beforenow，girlshadenteredtheProtestantsisterhoods，whichappealsopotentlytotheyoungandgenerousimagination，andMargaretwasofjustthetemperamenttobeinfluencedbythem。Duringthepastsummershehadbeenunhappyatherseparationfromthecaresthathadengrossedhermoreandmoreastheirstayinthecitydrewtoanendinthespring，andshehadhurriedherauntbacktotownearlierinthefallthanshewouldhavechosentocome。

Margarethadhercorrespondentsamongtheworking-womenwhomshebefriended。Mrs。HornwasatonetimealarmedtofindthatMargaretwasactuallypromotingastrikeofthebutton-holeworkers。This，ofcourse，haditsludicrousside，inconnectionwithayoungladyingoodsociety，andapersonofevensolittlehumorasMrs。Horncouldnothelpseeingit。Atthesametime，shecouldnothelpforebodingtheworstfromit；

shewasafraidthatMargaret"shealthwouldgivewayunderthestrain，andthatifshedidnotgointoasisterhoodshewouldatleastgointoadecline。Shebeganthewinterwithallsuchcounteractivemeasuresasshecouldemploy。Atanagewhensuchthingsweary，shethrewherselfintothepleasuresofsocietywiththehopeofdraggingMargaretafterher；andasympatheticwitnessmusthavefollowedwithcompassionhercoursefromballtoball，fromreceptiontoreception，fromparlor-

readingtoparlor-reading，frommusicaletomusicale，fromplaytoplay，fromoperatoopera。Shetasted，aftershehadpracticallyrenouncedthem，thebitterandtheinsipidflavorsoffashionableamusement，inthehopethatMargaretmightfindthemsweet，andnowattheendshehadtoowntoherselfthatshehadfailed。ItwascomingLentagain，andthegirlhadonlygrownthinnerandmoreseriouswiththediversionsthatdidnotdivertherfromthebalefulworksofbeneficenceonwhichMrs。Hornfeltthatshewasthrowingheryouthaway。Margaretcouldhaveborneeitheralone，buttogethertheywerewearingherout。Shefeltitadutytoundergothepleasuresherauntappointedforher，butshecouldnotforegotheotherdutiesinwhichshefoundheronlypleasure。

Shekeptuphermusicstillbecauseshecouldemployitatthemeetingsfortheentertainment，and，asshehoped，theelevationofherworking-

women；butsheneglectedtheotheraestheticinterestswhichonceoccupiedher；and，atsightofBeatontalkingwithher，Mrs。HorncaughtatthehopethathemightsomehowbeturnedtoaccountinrevivingMargaret"sformerinterestinart。SheaskedhimifMr。Wetmorehadhisclassesthatwinterasusual；andshesaidshewishedMargaretcouldbeinducedtogoagain:Mr。Wetmorealwayssaidthatshedidnotdrawverywell，butthatshehadagreatdealoffeelingforit，andherworkwasinteresting。Sheasked，weretheLeightonsintownagain；andshemurmuredaregretthatshehadnotbeenabletoseeanythingofthem，withoutexplainingwhy；shesaidshehadafancythatifMargaretknewMissLeighton，andwhatshewasdoing，itmightstimulateher，perhaps。

ShesupposedMissLeightonwasstillgoingonwithherart?Beatonsaid，Ohyes，hebelievedso。

ButhismannerdidnotencourageMrs。Horntopursueheraimsinthatdirection，andshesaid，withasigh，shewishedhestillhadaclass；

shealwaysfanciedthatMargaretgotmoregoodfromhisinstructionthanfromanyoneelse"s。

Hesaidthatshewasverygood；buttherewasreallynobodywhoknewhalfasmuchasWetmore，orcouldmakeanyoneunderstandhalfasmuch。

Mrs。Hornwasafraid，shesaid，thatMr。Wetmore"sterriblesinceritydiscouragedMargaret；hewouldnotletherhaveanyillusionsabouttheoutcomeofwhatshewasdoing；anddidnotMr。Beatonthinkthatsomeillusionwasnecessarywithyoungpeople?Ofcourse，itwasveryniceofMr。Wetmoretobesohonest，butitdidnotalwaysseemtobethewisestthing。ShebeggedMr。Beatontotrytothinkofsomeonewhowouldbealittlelesssevere。Hertoneassumedadeeperinterestinthepeoplewhowerecomingupandgoingaway，andBeatonperceivedthathewasdismissed。

HewentawaywithvanityflatteredbythesenseofhavingbeenappealedtoconcerningMargaret，andthenhebegantochafeatwhatshehadsaidofWetmore"shonesty，aproposofherwishthathestillhadaclasshimself。Didshemean，confoundher?thathewasinsincere，andwouldletMissVancesupposeshehadmoretalentthanshereallyhad?ThemoreBeatonthoughtofthis，themorefurioushebecame，andthemorehewasconvincedthatsomethinglikeithadbeenunconsciouslyifnotconsciouslyinhermind。Heframedsomekeenretorts，tothegeneraleffectthatwiththeatmosphereofillusionpreservedsocompletelyathome，MissVancehardlyneededitinherartstudies。HavingjustdeterminednevertogonearMrs。Horn"sThursdaysagain，hedecidedtogooncemore，inordertoplantthisstinginhercapaciousbutsomewhatcallousbosom；andheplannedhowhewouldleadthetalkuptothepointfromwhichheshouldlaunchit。

Inthemeantimehefelttheneedofsomepresentsolace，suchasonlyunqualifiedworshipcouldgivehim；acruelwishtofeelhispowerinsomedirectionwhere，evenifitwereresisted，itcouldnotbeovercome，drovehimon。ThatawomanwhowastoBeatontheembodimentofartificialityshouldintimate，howeverinnocently——theinnocencemadeitalltheworse——thathewaslesshonestthanWetmore，whomheknewtobesomuchmorehonest，wassomethingthatmustberetaliatedsomewherebeforehisself-respectcouldberestored。Itwasonlyfiveo"clock，andhewentonup-towntotheDryfooses"，thoughhehadbeenthereonlythenightbeforelast。Heaskedfortheladies，andMrs。Mandelreceivedhim。

"Theyoungladiesaredown-townshopping，"shesaid，"butIamverygladoftheopportunityofseeingyoualone，Mr。Beaton。YouknowIlivedseveralyearsinEurope。"

"Yes，"saidBeaton，wonderingwhatthatcouldhavetodowithherpleasureinseeinghimalone。"Ibelieveso?"Heinvoluntarilygavehiswordsthequestioninginflection。

"Youhavelivedabroad，too，andsoyouwon"tfindwhatIamgoingtoasksostrange。Mr。Beaton，whydoyoucomesomuchtothishouse?"Mrs。

Mandelbentforwardwithanaspectofladylikeinterestandsmiled。

Beatonfrowned。"WhydoIcomesomuch?"

"Yes。"

"WhydoI——Excuseme，Mrs。Mandel，butwillyouallowmetoaskwhyyouask?"

"Oh，certainly。There"snoreasonwhyIshouldn"tsay，forIwishyoutobeveryfrankwithme。Iaskbecausetherearetwoyoungladiesinthishouse；and，inacertainway，Ihavetotaketheplaceofamothertothem。Ineedn"texplainwhy；youknowallthepeoplehere，andyouunderstand。Ihavenothingtosayaboutthem，butIshouldnotbespeakingtoyounowiftheywerenotallratherhelplesspeople。Theydonotknowtheworldtheyhavecometoliveinhere，andtheycannothelpthemselvesoroneanother。Butyoudoknowit，Mr。Beaton，andIamsureyouknowjusthowmuchorhowlittleyoumeanbycominghere。Youareeitherinterestedinoneoftheseyounggirlsoryouarenot。Ifyouare，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Ifyouarenot——"Mrs。Mandelcontinuedtosmile，butthesmilehadgrownmoreperfunctory，andithadanicygleam。

Beatonlookedatherwithsurprisethathegravelykepttohimself。Hehadalwaysregardedherasasocialnullity，withakindofpity，tobesure，asacivilizedpersonlivingamongsuchpeopleastheDryfooses，butnotwithoutahumorouscontempt；hehadthoughtofherasMandel，andsometimesasOldMandel，thoughshewasnothalfascoreofyearshissenior，andwasstillwellonthesunnysideofforty。Hereddened，andthenturnedanangrypallor。"Excusemeagain，Mrs。Mandel。Doyouaskthisfromtheyoungladies?"

"Certainlynot，"shesaid，withthebesttemper，andwithsomethinginhertonethatconvictedBeatonofvulgarity，inputtinghisquestionofherauthorityintheformofasneer。"AsIhavesuggested，theywouldhardlyknowhowtohelpthemselvesatallinsuchamatter。IhavenoobjectiontosayingthatIaskitfromthefatheroftheyoungladies。

Ofcourse，inandformyselfIshouldhavenorighttoknowanythingaboutyouraffairs。Iassureyouthedutyofknowingisn"tverypleasant。"ThelittletremorinherclearvoicestruckBeatonassomethingrathernice。

"Icanverywellbelievethat，Mrs。Mandel，"hesaid，withadreamysadnessinhisown。Heliftedhiseyesandlookedintohers。"IfItoldyouthatIcarednothingabouttheminthewayyouintimate?"

"ThenIshouldprefertoletyoucharacterizeyourownconductincontinuingtocomeherefortheyearpast，asyouhavedone，andtacitlyleadingthemontoinferdifferently。"TheybothmechanicallykeptupthefictionofpluralityinspeakingofChristine，buttherewasnodoubtinthemindofeitherwhichoftheyoungladiestheothermeant。

AgoodmanythoughtswentthroughBeaton"smind，andnoneofthemwereflattering。Hehadnotbeenunconsciousthattheparthehadplayedtowardthisgirlwasignoble，andthatithadgrownmeanerasthefancywhichherbeautyhadatfirstkindledinhimhadgrowncooler。Hewasawarethatoflatehehadbeenamusinghimselfwithherpassioninawaythatwasnotlessthancruel，notbecausehewishedtodoso，butbecausehewaslistlessandwishednothing。Heroseinsaying:"Imightbealittlemorelenientthanyouthink，Mrs。Mandel；butIwon"ttroubleyouwithanypalliatingtheory。Iwillnotcomeanymore。"

Hebowed，andMrs。Mandelsaid，"Ofcourse，it"sonlyyouractionthatI

amconcernedwith。"

Sheseemedtohimmerelytriumphant，andhecouldnotconceivewhatithadcosthertonerveherselfuptohertooeasyvictory。HeleftMrs。

Mandeltoafarharderlotthanhadfallentohim，andhewentawayhatingherasanenemywhohadhumiliatedhimatamomentwhenheparticularlyneededexalting。ItwasreallyverysimpleforhimtostopgoingtoseeChristineDryfoos，butitwasnotatallsimpleforMrs。

Mandeltodealwiththeconsequencesofhisnotcoming。Heonlythoughthowlightlyshehadstoppedhim，andthepoorwomanwhomhehadlefttremblingforwhatshehadbeenobligedtodoembodiedforhimtheconsciencethataccusedhimofunpleasantthings。

"Byheavens!thisispilingitup，"hesaidtohimselfthroughhissetteeth，realizinghowithadhappenedrightontopofthatstupidinsultfromMrs。Horn。Nowheshouldhavetogiveuphisplaceon"EveryOtherWeek；hecouldnotkeepthat，underthecircumstances，evenifsomepretencewerenotmadetogetridofhim；hemusthurryandanticipateanysuchpretence；hemustseeFulkersonatonce；hewonderedwhereheshouldfindhimatthathour。Hethought，withbitternesssorealthatitgavehimakindoftragicalsatisfaction，howcertainlyhecouldfindhimalittlelateratMrs。Leighton"s；andFulkerson"shappinessbecameanaddedinjury。

Thethinghad，ofcourse，comeaboutjustatthewrongtime。ThereneverhadbeenatimewhenBeatonneededmoneymore，whenhehadspentwhathehadandwhatheexpectedtohavesorecklessly。HewasindebttoFulkersonpersonallyandofficiallyforadvancepaymentsofsalary。Thethoughtofsendingmoneyhomemadehimbreakintoascoffinglaugh，whichheturnedintoacoughinordertodeceivethepassers。WhatsortoffaceshouldhegowithtoFulkersonandtellhimthatherenouncedhisemploymenton"EveryOtherWeek；"andwhatshouldhedowhenhehadrenouncedit?Takepupils，perhaps；openaclass?AluridconceptionofaclassconductedonthoseprinciplesofshamelessflatteryatwhichMrs。

Hornhadhinted——hebelievednowshehadmeanttoinsulthim——presenteditself。Whyshouldnotheactuponthesuggestion?Hethoughtwithloathingforthewholeraceofwomen——dabblersinart。Howeasythethingwouldbe:aseasyastoturnbacknowandtellthatoldfool"sgirlthathelovedher，andrakeinhalfhismillions。Whyshouldnothedothat?Nooneelsecaredforhim；andatayear"send，probably，onewomanwouldbelikeanotherasfarasthelovewasconcerned，andprobablyheshouldnotbemoretiredifthewomanwereChristineDryfoosthanifshewereMargaretVance。HekeptAlmaLeightonoutofthequestion，becauseatthebottomofhishearthebelievedthatshemustbeforeverunlikeeveryotherwomantohim。

Thetideofhisconfusedandaimlessreveriehadcarriedhimfardown-

town，hethought；butwhenhelookedupfromittoseewherehewashefoundhimselfonSixthAvenue，onlyalittlebelowThirty-ninthStreet，veryhotandblown；thatidioticfurovercoatwasstifling。HecouldnotpossiblywalkdowntoEleventh；hedidnotwanttowalkeventotheElevatedstationatThirty-fourth；hestoppedatthecornertowaitforasurface-car，andfellagainintohisbitterfancies。Afterawhileherousedhimselfandlookedupthetrack，buttherewasnocarcoming。Hefoundhimselfbesideapoliceman，whowaslazilyswinginghisclubbyitsthongfromhiswrist。

"Whendoyousupposeacarwillbealong?"heasked，ratherinageneralsarcasmoftheabsenceofthecarsthaninanyspecialbeliefthatthepolicemancouldtellhim。

Thepolicemanwaitedtodischargehistobacco-juiceintothegutter。

"Inaboutaweek，"hesaid，nonchalantly。

"What"sthematter?"askedBeaton，wonderingwhatthejokecouldbe。

"Strike，"saidthepoliceman。HisinterestinBeaton"signoranceseemedtoovercomehiscontemptofit。"KnockedoffeverywherethismorningexceptThirdAvenueandoneortwocross-townlines。"Hespatagainandkepthisbulkatitsinclineovertheguttertoglanceatagroupofmenonthecornerbelow:Theywereneatlydressed，andlookedlikesomethingbetterthanworkingmen，andtheyhadaholidayairofbeingintheirbestclothes。

"Someofthestrikers?"askedBeaton。

Thepolicemannodded。

"Anytroubleyet?"

"Therewon"tbeanytroubletillwebegintomovethecars，"saidthepoliceman。

BeatonfeltasuddenturnofhisragetowardthemenwhoseactionwouldnowforcehimtowalkfiveblocksandmountthestairsoftheElevatedstation。"Ifyou"dtakeouteightortenofthosefellows，"hesaid，ferociously，"andsetthemupagainstawallandshootthem，you"dsaveagreatdealofbother。"

"Iguesswesha"n"thavetoshootmuch，"saidthepoliceman，stillswinginghislocust。"Anyway，weshantbeginit。Ifitcomestoafight，though，"hesaid，withalookatthemenunderthescoopingrimofhishelmet，"wecandrivethewholesixthousandof"emintotheEastRiverwithoutpullin"atrigger。"

"Aretheresixthousandinit?"

"About。"

"Whatdotheinfernalfoolsexpecttoliveon?"

"Theinterestoftheirmoney，Isuppose，"saidtheofficer，withagrinofsatisfactioninhisirony。"It"sgottorunitscourse。Thenthey"llcomebackwiththeirheadstiedupandtheirtailsbetweentheirlegs，andpleadtobetakenonagain。"

"IfIwasamanageroftheroads，"saidBeaton，thinkingofhowmuchhewasalreadyinconveniencedbythestrike，andobscurelyconnectingitasoneoftheserieswiththewrongshehadsufferedatthehandsofMrs。

HornandMrs。Mandel，"IwouldseethemstarvebeforeI"dtakethemback——everyoneofthem。"

"Well，"saidthepoliceman，impartially，asamanmightwhomthecompaniesallowedtoridefree，butwhohadmadefriendswithagoodmanydriversandconductorsinthecourseofhisfreeriding，"Iguessthat"swhattheroadswouldliketodoiftheycould；butthemenaretoomanyforthem，andthereain"tenoughothermentotaketheirplaces。"

"Nomatter，"saidBeaton，severely。"Theycanbringinmenfromotherplaces。"

"Oh，they"lldothatfastenough，"saidthepoliceman。

Amancameoutofthesaloononthecornerwherethestrikerswerestanding，noisydrunk，andtheybegan，astheywouldhavesaid，tohavesomefunwithhim。ThepolicemanleftBeaton，andsaunteredslowlydowntowardthegroupasifinthenaturalcourseofanafternoonramble。OntheothersideofthestreetBeatoncouldseeanotherofficersaunteringupfromtheblockbelow。Lookingupanddowntheavenue，sosilentofitshorse-carbells，hesawapolicemanateverycorner。Itwasratherimpressive。

III。

Thestrikemadeagooddealoftalkinitheofficeof"EveryOtherWeek"

thatis，itmadeFulkersontalkagooddeal。Hecongratulatedhimselfthathewasnotpersonallyincommodedbyit，likesomeofthefellowswholiveduptown，andhadnoteverythingunderoneroof，asitwere。Heenjoyedtheexcitementofit，andhekepttheofficeboyrunningouttobuytheextraswhichthenewsmencamecryingthroughthestreetalmosteveryhourwithalamentable，unintelligiblenoise。Hereadnotonlythelatestintelligenceofthestrike，buttheeditorialcommentsonit，whichpraisedthefirmattitudeofbothparties，andtheadmirablemeasurestakenbythepolicetopreserveorder。Fulkersonenjoyedtheinterviewswiththepolicecaptainsandtheleadersofthestrike；heequallyenjoyedtheattemptsofthereporterstointerviewtheroadmanagers，whichweresographicallydetailed，andwithsuchafinefeelingfortherightuseofscare-headsastohavealmostthevalueofdirectexpressionfromthem，thoughitseemedthattheyhadresolutelyrefusedtospeak。Hesaid，atsecond-handfromthepapers，thatifthemenbehavedthemselvesandrespectedtherightsofproperty，theywouldhavepublicsympathywiththemeverytime；butjustassoonastheybegantointerferewiththeroads"righttomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway，theymustbeputdownwithanironhand；thephrase"ironhand"

didFulkersonalmostasmuchgoodasifithadneverbeenusedbefore。

NewsbegantocomeoffightingbetweenthepoliceandthestrikerswhentheroadstriedtomovetheircarswithmenimportedfromPhiladelphia，andthenFulkersonrejoicedatthesplendidcourageofthepolice。Atthesametime，hebelievedwhatthestrikerssaid，andthatthetroublewasnotmadebythem，butbygangsofroughsactingwithouttheirapproval。InthisjuncturehewasrelievedbythearrivaloftheStateBoardofArbitration，whichtookupitsquarters，withagreatmanyscare-heads，atoneoftheprincipalhotels，andinvitedtheroadsandthestrikerstolaythematterindisputebeforethem；hesaidthatnowweshouldseetheworkingofthegreatestpieceofsocialmachineryinmoderntimes。Butitappearedtoworkonlyinthealacrityofthestrikerstosubmittheirgrievance。Theroad；wereasoneroadindeclaringthattherewasnothingtoarbitrate，andthattheyweremerelyassertingtheirrighttomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway。

OneofthepresidentswasreportedtohavetoldamemberoftheBoard，whopersonallysummonedhim，togetoutandtogoabouthisbusiness。

Then，toFulkerson"sextremedisappointment，theaugusttribunal，actingonbehalfofthesovereignpeopleintheinterestofpeace，declareditselfpowerless，andgotout，andwould，nodoubt，havegoneaboutitsbusinessifithadhadany。Fulkersondidnotknowwhattosay，perhapsbecausetheextrasdidnot；butMarchlaughedatthisresult。

"It"sagooddeallikethemilitarymanoeuvreoftheKingofFranceandhisfortythousandmen。Isupposesomebodytoldhimatthetopofthehillthattherewasnothingtoarbitrate，andtogetoutandgoabouthisbusiness，andthatwasthereasonhemarcheddownafterhehadmarchedupwithallthatceremony。Whatamusesmeistofindthatinanaffairofthiskindtheroadshaverightsandthestrikershaverights，butthepublichasnorightsatall。TheroadsandthestrikersareallowedtofightoutaprivatewarinourmidstasthoroughlyandpreciselyaprivatewarasanywedespisetheMiddleAgesforhavingtolerated——

asanystreetwarinFlorenceorVerona——andtofightitoutatourpainsandexpense，andwestandbylikesheepandwaittilltheygettired。

It"safunnyattitudeforacityoffifteenhundredthousandinhabitants。"

"Whatwouldyoudo?"askedFulkerson，agooddealdauntedbythisviewofthecase。

"Do?Nothing。Hasn"ttheStateBoardofArbitrationdeclareditselfpowerless?Wehavenoholduponthestrikers；andwe"resousedtobeingsnubbedanddisobligedbycommoncarriersthatwehaveforgottenourholdontheroadsandalwaysallowthemtomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway，quiteasifwehadnothingtodowiththemandtheyowedusnoservicesinreturnfortheirprivileges。"

"That"sagooddealso，"saidFulkerson，disorderinghishair。"Well，it"snutsforthecolonelnowadays。Hesaysifhewasbossofthistownhewouldseizetheroadsonbehalfofthepeople，andman"emwithpolicemen，andrun"emtillthemanagershadcometotermswiththestrikers；andhe"ddothateverytimetherewasastrike。"

"Doesn"tthatrathersavorofthepaternalismhecondemnedinLindau?"

askedMarch。

"Idon"tknow。Itsavorsofhorsesense。"

"Youareprettyfargone，Fulkerson。IthoughtyouwerethemostengagedmanIeversaw；butIguessyou"remorefather-in-lawed。Andbeforeyou"remarried，too。"

"Well，thecolonel"sagloriousoldfellow，March。Iwishhehadthepowertodothatthing，justforthefunoflookingonwhilehewaltzedin。He"sonthekeenjumpfrommorningtillnight，andhe"suplateandearlytoseetherow。I"mafraidhe"llgetshotatsomeofthefights；

heseesthemall；Ican"tgetanyshowatthem:haven"tseenabrickbatshiedoraclubswungyet。Haveyou?"

"No，IfindIcanphilosophizethesituationaboutaswellfromthepapers，andthat"swhatIreallywanttodo，Isuppose。Besides，I"msolemnlypledgedbyMrs。Marchnottogonearanysortofcrowd，underpenaltyofhavingherbringthechildrenandgowithme。Hertheoryisthatwemustalldietogether；thechildrenhaven"tbeenatschoolsincethestrikebegan。There"snoprecautionthatMrs。Marchhasn"tused。

ShewatchesmewheneverIgoout，andseesthatIstartstraightforthisoffice。"

Fulkersonlaughedandsaid:"Well，it"sprobablytheonlythingthat"ssavedyourlife。HaveyouseenanythingofBeatonlately?"

"No。Youdon"tmeantosayhe"skilled!"

"Notifheknowsit。ButIdon"tknow——Whatdoyousay，March?What"sthereasonyoucouldn"tgetusupapaperonthestrike?"

"Iknewitwouldfetchroundto"EveryOtherWeek，"somehow。"

"No，butseriously。There"llbeplentyofnewspaperaccounts。Butyoucouldtreatitinthehistoricalspirit——likesomethingthathappenedseveralcenturiesago；DeFoe"sPlagueofLondonstyle。Heigh?WhatmademethinkofitwasBeaton。IfIcouldgetholdofhim，youtwocouldgoroundtogetherandtakedownitsaestheticaspects。It"sabigthing，March，thisstrikeis。Itellyouit"simposingtohaveaprivatewar，asyousay，foughtoutthisway，intheheartofNewYork，andNewYorknotminding，itabit。See?Mighttakethatviewofit。WithyourdescriptionsandBeaton"ssketches——well，itwouldjustbethegreatestcard!Come!Whatdoyousay?"

"WillyouundertaketomakeitrightwithMrs。MarchifI"mkilledandsheandthechildrenarenotkilledwithme?"

"Well，itwouldbedifficult。IwonderhowitwoulddotogetKendrickstodotheliterarypart?"

"I"venodoubthe"djumpatthechance。I"veyettoseetheformofliteraturethatKendrickswouldn"tlaydownhislifefor。"

"Say!"MarchperceivedthatFulkersonwasabouttoventanotherinspiration，andsmiledpatiently。"Lookhere!What"sthereasonwecouldn"tgetoneofthestrikerstowriteitupforus?"

"Mighthaveasymposiumofstrikersandpresidents，"Marchsuggested。

"No；I"minearnest。Theysaysomeofthosefellows-especiallytheforeigners——areeducatedmen。Iknowonefellow——aBohemian——thatusedtoeditaBohemiannewspaperhere。HecouldwriteitoutinhiskindofDutch，andwecouldgetLindautotranslateit。"

"Iguessnot，"saidMarch，dryly。

"Whynot?He"ddoitforthecause，wouldn"the?Supposeyouputituponhimthenexttimeyouseehim。"

"Idon"tseeLindauanymore，"saidMarch。Headded，"Iguesshe"srenouncedmealongwithMr。Dryfoos"smoney。"

"Pshaw!Youdon"tmeanhehasn"tbeenroundsince?"

"Hecameforawhile，buthe"sleftoffcomingnow。Idon"tfeelparticularlygayaboutit，"Marchsaid，withsomeresentmentofFulkerson"sgrin。"He"sleftmeindebttohimforlessonstothechildren。"

Fulkersonlaughedout。"Well，heisthegreatestoldfool!Who"d"a"

thoughthe"d"a"beeninearnestwiththose"brincibles"ofhis?ButI

supposetherehavetobejustsuchcranks；ittakesallkindstomakeaworld。"

"Therehastobeonesuchcrank，itseems，"Marchpartiallyassented。

"One"senoughforme。"

"IreckonthisthingisnutsforLindau，too，"saidFulkerson。"Why，itmustactlikeaschoonerofbeeronhimallthewhile，tosee"gabidal"

embarrassedlikeitisbythisstrike。ItmustmakeoldLindaufeellikehewasbackbehindthosebarricadesatBerlin。Well，he"sasplendidoldfellow；pityhedrinks，asIremarkedoncebefore。"

WhenMarchlefttheofficehedidnotgohomesodirectlyashecame，perhapsbecauseMrs。March"seyewasnotonhim。Hewasverycuriousaboutsomeaspectsofthestrike，whoseimportance，asagreatsocialconvulsion，hefeltpeopledidnotrecognize；and，withhistemperanceineverything，hefounditsnegativeexpressionsassignificantasitsmoreviolentphases。Hehadpromisedhiswifesolemnlythathewouldkeepaway，fromthese，andhehadanaturalinclinationtokeephispromise；

hehadnowishtobethatpeacefulspectatorwhoalwaysgetsshotwhenthereisanyfiringonamob。Heinterestedhimselfintheapparentindifferenceofthemightycity，whichkeptonaboutitsbusinessastranquillyasiftheprivatewarbeingfoughtoutinitsmidstwereavaguerumorofIndiantroublesonthefrontier；andherealizedhowtheremightoncehavebeenastreetfeudoffortyyearsinFlorencewithoutinterferingmateriallywiththeindustryandprosperityofthecity。

OnBroadwaytherewasasilencewhereajangleandclatterofhorse-carbellsandhoofshadbeen，butitwasnotverynoticeable；andontheavenues，roofedbytheelevatedroads，thissilenceofthesurfacetrackswasnotnoticeableatallintheroarofthetrainsoverhead。Someofthecross-towncarswerebeginningtorunagain，withapolicemanontherearofeach；ontheThirdAvengeline，operatedbynon-unionmen，whohadnotstruck，thereweretwopolicemenbesidethedriverofeverycar，andtwobesidetheconductor，toprotectthemfromthestrikers。Buttherewerenostrikersinsight，andonSecondAvenuetheystoodquietlyaboutingroupsonthecorners。WhileMarchwatchedthematasafedistance，acarladenwithpolicemencamedownthetrack，butnoneofthestrikersofferedtomolestit。IntheirsimpleSundaybest，Marchthoughtthemveryquiet，decent-lookingpeople，andhecouldwellbelievethattheyhadnothingtodowiththeriotousoutbreaksinotherpartsofthecity。Hecouldhardlybelievethattherewereanysuchoutbreaks；hebeganmoreandmoretothinkthemmerenewspaperexaggerationsintheabsenceofanydisturbance，orthedispositiontoit，thathecouldsee。

HewalkedontotheEastRiverAvenuesA，B，andCpresentedthesamequietaspectasSecondAvenue；

groupsofmenstoodonthecorners，andnowandthenapolice-ladencarwasbroughtunmolesteddownthetracksbeforethem；theylookedatitandtalkedtogether，andsomelaughed，buttherewasnotrouble。

Marchgotacross-towncar，andcamebacktotheWestSide。Apoliceman，lookingverysleepyandtired，loungedontheplatform。

"Isupposeyou"llbegladwhenthiscruelwarisover，"Marchsuggested，ashegotin。

Theofficergavehimasurlyglanceandmadehimnoanswer。

Hisbehavior，fromamanborntothejokinggiveandtakeofourlife，impressedMarch。ItgavehimafinesenseoftheferocitywhichhehadreadoftheFrenchtroopsputtingontowardthepopulacejustbeforethecoupd"etat；hebegantofeellikethepopulace；buthestruggledwithhimselfandregainedhischaracterofphilosophicalobserver。Inthischaracterheremainedinthecarandletitcarryhimbythecornerwhereheoughttohavegotoutandgonehome，andletitkeeponwithhimtooneofthefarthermosttrackswestward，wheresomuchofthefightingwasreportedtohavetakenplace。ButeverythingonthewaywasasquietasontheEastSide。

Suddenlythecarstoppedwithsoquickaturnofthebrakethathewashalfthrownfromhisseat，andthepolicemanjumpeddownfromtheplatformandranforward。

IV

DryfoossatatbreakfastthatmorningwithMrs。Mandelasusualtopourouthiscoffee。Conradhadgonedown-town；thetwogirlslayabedmuchlaterthantheirfatherbreakfasted，andtheirmotherhadgraduallygrowntoofeebletocomedowntilllunch。SuddenlyChristineappearedatthedoor。Herfacewaswhitetotheedgesofherlips，andhereyeswereblazing。

Lookhere，father!HaveyoubeensayinganythingtoMr。Beaton?"

Theoldmanlookedupatheracrosshiscoffee-cupthroughhisfrowningbrows。"No。"

Mrs。Mandeldroppedhereyes，andthespoonshookinherhand。

"Thenwhat"sthereasonhedon"tcomehereanymore?"demandedthegirl；

andherglancedartedfromherfathertoMrs。Mandel。"Oh，it"syou，isit?I"dliketoknowwhotoldyoutomeddleinotherpeople"sbusiness?"

"Idid，"saidDryfoos，savagely。"Itoldhertoaskhimwhathewantedhere，andhesaidhedidn"twantanything，andhestoppedcoming。That"sall。Ididitmyself。"

"Oh，youdid，didyou?"saidthegirl，scarcelylessinsolentlythanshehadspokentoMrs。Mandel。"Ishouldliketoknowwhatyoudiditfor?

I"dliketoknowwhatmadeyouthinkIwasn"tabletotakecareofmyself。Ijustknewsomebodyhadbeenmeddling，butIdidn"tsupposeitwasyou。Icanmanagemyownaffairsinmyownway，ifyouplease，andI"llthankyouafterthistoleavemetomyselfinwhatdon"tconcernyou。"

"Don"tconcernme?Youimpudentjade!"herfatherbegan。

Christineadvancedfromthedoorwaytowardthetable；shehadherhandscloseduponwhatseemedtrinkets，someofwhichglitteredanddangledfromthem。Shesaid，"Willyougotohimandtellhimthatthismeddlesomeminx，here，hadnobusinesstosayanythingaboutmetohim，andyoutakeitallback?"

"No!"shoutedtheoldman。"Andif——"

"That"sallIwantofyou!"thegirlshoutedinherturn。"Hereareyourpresents。"Withbothhandssheflungthejewels-pinsandringsandearringsandbracelets——amongthebreakfast-dishes，fromwhichsomeofthemsprangtothefloor。ShestoodamomenttopulltheintaglioringfromthefingerwhereBeatonputitayearago，anddashedthatatherfather"splate。Thenshewhirledoutoftheroom，andtheyheardherrunningup-stairs。

Theoldmanmadeastarttowardher，buthefellbackinhischairbeforeshewasgone，and，withafierce，grindingmovementofhisjaws，controlledhimself。"Take-takethosethingsup，"hegaspedtoMrs。

Mandel。Heseemedunabletoriseagainfromhischair；butwhensheaskedhimifhewereunwell，hesaidno，withanairofoffence，andgotquicklytohisfeet。Hemechanicallypickeduptheintaglioringfromthetablewhilehestoodthere，andputitonhislittlefinger；hishandwasnotmuchbiggerthanChristine"s。"Howdoyousupposeshefounditout?"heasked，afteramoment。

"Sheseemstohavemerelysuspectedit，"saidMrs。Mandel，inatremor，andwiththefrightinhereyeswhichChristine"sviolencehadbroughtthere。

"Well，itdon"tmakeanydifference。Shehadtoknow，somehow，andnowsheknows。"Hestartedtowardthedoorofthelibrary，asiftogointothehall，wherehishatandcoathung。

"Mr。Dryfoos，"palpitatedMrs。Mandel，"Ican"tremainhere，afterthelanguageyourdaughterhasusedtome——Ican"tletyouleaveme——I——I"mafraidofher——"

"Lockyourselfup，then，"saidtheoldman，rudely。Headded，fromthehallbeforeliewentout，"Ireckonshe"llquietdownnow。"

HetooktheElevatedroad。Thestrikeseemedavaryfar-offthing，thoughthepaperheboughttolookupthestockmarketwasfullofnoisytypographyaboutyesterday"stroublesonthesurfacelines。AmongthemillionsinWallStreettherewassomejokingandsomeswearing，butnotmuchthinking，aboutthesixthousandmenwhohadtakensuchchancesintheirattempttobettertheircondition。DryfoosheardnothingofthestrikeinthelobbyoftheStockExchange，wherehespenttwoorthreehourswatchingafavoritestockofhisgoupandgodownunderthebetting。BythetimetheExchangeclosedithadriseneightpoints，andonthisandsomeotherinvestmentshewasfivethousanddollarsricherthanhehadbeeninthemorning。Buthehadexpectedtobericherstill，andhewasbynomeanssatisfiedwithhisluck。Allthroughtheexcitementofhiswinningandlosinghadplayedthedull，murderousragehefelttowardtheychildwhohaddefiedhim，andwhenthegamewasoverandhestartedhomehisragemountedintoasortoffrenzy；hewouldteachher，hewouldbreakher。Hewalkedalongwaywithoutthinking，andthenwaitedforacar。Nonecame，andhehailedapassingcoupe。

"Whathasgotallthecars?"hedemandedofthedriver，whojumpeddownfromhisboxtoopenthedoorforhimandgethisdirection。

"Beenaway?"askedthedriver。"Hasn"tbeenanycaralongforaweek。

Strike。"

"Ohyes，"saidDryfoos。Hefeltsuddenlygiddy，andheremainedstaringatthedriverafterhehadtakenhisseat。

Themanasked，"Whereto?"

Dryfooscouldnotthinkofhisstreetornumber，andhesaid，withuncontrollablefury:"Itoldyouonce!GouptoWestEleventh，anddrivealongslowonthesouthside；I"llshowyoutheplace。"

Hecouldnotrememberthenumberof"EveryOtherWeek"office，wherehesuddenlydecidedtostopbeforehewenthome。HewishedtoseeFulkerson，andaskhimsomethingaboutBeaton:whetherhehadbeenaboutlately，andwhetherhehaddroppedanyhintofwhathadhappenedconcerningChristine；DryfoosbelievedthatFulkersonwasinthefellow"sconfidence。

TherewasnobodybutConradinthecounting-room，whitherDryfoosreturnedafterglancingintoFulkerson"semptyoffice。"Where"sFulkerson?"heasked，sittingdownwithhishaton。

"Hewentoutafewmomentsago，"saidConrad，glancingattheclock。

"I"mafraidheisn"tcomingbackagaintoday，ifyouwantedtoseehim。"

DryfoostwistedhisheadsidewiseandupwardtoindicateMarch"sroom。

"Thatotherfellowout，too?"

"HewentjustbeforeMr。Fulkerson，"answeredConrad。

"Doyougenerallyknockoffhereinthemiddleoftheafternoon?"askedtheoldman。

"No，"saidConrad，aspatientlyasifhisfatherhadnotbeenthereascoreoftimesandfoundthewholestaffofEveryOtherleekatworkbetweenfourandfive。"Mr。March，youknow，alwaystakesagooddealofhisworkhomewithhim，andIsupposeMr。Fulkersonwentoutsoearlybecausethereisn"tmuchdoingto-day。Perhapsit"sthestrikethatmakesitdull。"

"Thestrike-yes!It"saprettypieceofbusinesstohaveeverythingthrownoutbecauseaparceloflazyhoundswantachancetolayoffandgetdrunk。"DryfoosseemedtothinkConradwouldmakesomeanswertothis，buttheyoungman"smildfacemerelysaddened，andhesaidnothing。

"I"vegotacoupeouttherenowthatIhadtotakebecauseIcouldn"tgetacar。IfIhadmywayI"dhavealotofthosevagabondshung。They"rewaitingtogetthecityintoasnarl，andthenrobthehouses——packofdirty，worthlesswhelps。Theyoughttocalloutthemilitia，andfireinto"em。Clubbingistoogoodforthem。"Conradwasstillsilent，andhisfathersneered，"ButIreckonyoudon"tthinkso。"

"Ithinkthestrikeisuseless，"saidConrad。

"Oh，youdo，doyou?Comin"toyoursensesalittle。Gettin"tiredwalkin"somuch。IshouldliketoknowwhatyourgentlemenoverthereontheEastSidethinkaboutthestrike，anyway。"

Theyoungfellowdroppedhiseyes。"Iamnotauthorizedtospeakforthem。"

"Oh，indeed!Andperhapsyou"renotauthorizedtospeakforyourself?"

"Father，youknowwedon"tagreeaboutthesethings。I"drathernottalk——"

"ButI"mgoin"tomakeyoutalkthistime!"criedDryfoos，strikingthearmofthechairhesatinwiththesideofhisfist。AmaddeningthoughtofChristinecameoverhim。"Aslongasyoueatmybread，youhavegottodoasIsay。Iwon"thavemychildrentellingmewhatI

shalldoandsha"n"tdo，ortakeonairsofbeingholierthanme。Now，youjustspeakup!Doyouthinkthoseloafersareright，ordon"tyou?

Come!"

Conradapparentlyjudgeditbesttospeak。"Ithinktheywereveryfoolishtostrike——atthistime，whentheElevatedroadscandothework。"

"Oh，atthistime，heigh!AndIsupposetheythinkoverthereontheEastSidethatit"dbeenwisetostrikebeforewegottheElevated。"

Conradagainrefusedtoanswer，andhisfatherroared，"Whatdoyouthink?"

"Ithinkastrikeisalwaysbadbusiness。It"swar；butsometimestheredon"tseemanyotherwayfortheworkingmentogetjustice。Theysaythatsometimesstrikesdoraisethewages，afterawhile。"

"Thoselazydevilswerepaidenoughalready，"shriekedtheoldman。

"Theygottwodollarsaday。Howmuchdoyouthinktheyoughtto"a"

got?Twenty?"

Conradhesitated，withabeseechinglookathisfather。Buthedecidedtoanswer。"Themensaythatwithpartialwork，andfines，andotherthings，theygetsometimesadollar，andsometimesninetycentsaday。"

"Theylie，andyouknowtheylie，"saidhisfather，risingandcomingtowardhim。"Andwhatdoyouthinktheupshotofitallwillbe，afterthey"veruinedbusinessforanotherweek，andmadepeoplehirehacks，andstolenthemoneyofhonestmen?Howisitgoingtoend?"

"Theywillhavetogivein。"

"Oh，givein，heigh!Andwhatwillyousaythen，Ishouldliketoknow?

Howwillyoufeelaboutitthen?Speak!"

"IshallfeelasIdonow。Iknowyoudon"tthinkthatway，andIdon"tblameyou——oranybody。ButifIhavegottosayhowIshallfeel，why，I

shallfeelsorrytheydidn"tsucceed，forIbelievetheyhavearighteouscause，thoughtheygothewrongwaytohelpthemselves。"

Hisfathercameclosetohim，hiseyesblazing，histeethset。"Doyoudaresosaythattome?"

"Yes。Ican"thelpit。Ipitythem；mywholeheartiswiththosepoormen。"

"Youimpudentpuppy!"shoutedtheoldman。Heliftedhishandandstruckhissonintheface。Conradcaughthishandwithhisownleft，and，whilethebloodbegantotricklefromawoundthatChristine"sintaglioringhadmadeinhistemple，helookedathimwithakindofgrievingwonder，andsaid，"Father!"

Theoldmanwrenchedhisfistawayandranoutofthehouse。Herememberedhisaddressnow，andhegaveitasheplungedintothecoupe。

Hetrembledwithhisevilpassion，andglaredoutofthewindowsatthepassersashedrovehome；heonlysawConrad"smild，grieving，wonderingeyes，andthebloodslowlytricklingfromthewoundinhistemple。

Conradwenttotheneat-setbowlinFulkerson"scomfortableroomandwashedthebloodaway，andkeptbathingthewoundwiththecoldwatertillitstoppedbleeding。Thecutwasnotdeep，andhethoughthewouldnotputanythingonit。Afterawhilehelockeduptheofficeandstartedout，behardlyknewwhere。Buthewalkedon，inthedirectionhehadtaken，tillhefoundhimselfinUnionSquare，onthepavementinfrontofBrentano"s。Itseemedtohimthatheheardsomeonecallinggentlytohim，"Mr。Dryfoos!"

V。

Conradlookedconfusedlyaround，andthesamevoicesaidagain，"Mr。

Dryfoos!"andhesawthatitwasaladyspeakingtohimfromacoupebesidethecurbing，andthenhesawthatitwasMissVance。

Shesmiledwhen，hegavesignsofhavingdiscoveredher，andcameuptothedoorofhercarriage。"Iamsogladtomeetyou。Ihavebeenlongingtotalktosomebody；nobodyseemstofeelaboutitasIdo。Oh，isn"tithorrible?Musttheyfail?IsawcarsrunningonallthelinesasIcameacross；itmademesickatheart。Mustthosebravefellowsgivein?Andeverybodyseemstohatethemso——Ican"tbearit。"Herfacewasestrangedwithexcitement，andthereweretracesoftearsonit。

"Youmustthinkmealmostcrazytostopyouinthestreetthisway；butwhenIcaughtsightofyouIhadtospeak。Iknewyouwouldsympathize——

IknewyouwouldfeelasIdo。Oh，howcananybodyhelphonoringthosepoormenforstandingbyoneanotherastheydo?Theyareriskingalltheyhaveintheworldforthesakeofjustice!Oh，theyaretrueheroes!

Theyarestakingthebreadoftheirwivesandchildrenonthedreadfulchancethey"vetaken!Butnooneseemstounderstandit。Nooneseemstoseethattheyarewillingtosuffermorenowthatotherpoormenmaysufferlesshereafter。Andthosewretchedcreaturesthatarecomingintotaketheirplaces——thosetraitors——"

"Wecan"tblamethemforwantingtoearnaliving，MissVance，"saidConrad。

"No，no!Idon"tblamethem。WhoamI，todosuchathing?It"swe——peoplelikeme，ofmyclass——whomakethepoorbetrayoneanother。

Butthisdreadfulfighting——thishideouspaperisfullofit!"Sheheldupanextra，crumpledwithhernervousreading。"Can"tsomethingbedonetostopit?Don"tyouthinkthatifsomeonewentamongthem，andtriedtomakethemseehowperfectlyhopelessitwastoresistthecompaniesanddriveoffthenewmen，hemightdosomegood?Ihavewantedtogoandtry；butIamawoman，andImustn"t!Ishouldn"tbeafraidofthestrikers，butI"mafraidofwhatpeoplewouldsay!"Conradkeptpressinghishandkerchieftothecutinhistemple，whichhethoughtmightbebleeding，andnowshenoticedthis。"Areyouhurt，Mr。Dryfoos?

Youlooksopale。"

"No，it"snothing——alittlescratchI"vegot。"

"Indeed，youlookpale。Haveyouacarriage?Howwillyougethome?

Willyougetinherewithmeandletmedriveyou?"

"No，no，"saidConrad，smilingatherexcitement。"I"mperfectlywell——"

"Andyoudon"tthinkI"mfoolishandwickedforstoppingyouhereandtalkinginthisway?ButIknowyoufeelasIdo!"

"Yes，Ifeelasyoudo。Youareright——rightineveryway——Imustn"tkeepyou——Good-bye。"Hesteppedbacktobow，butsheputherbeautifulhandoutofthewindow，andwhenhetookitshewrunghishandhard。

"Thankyou，thankyou!Youaregoodandyouarejust!Butnoonecandoanything。It"suseless!"

Thetypeofirreproachablecoachmanontheboxwhoserespectabilityhadsufferedthroughthestrangebehaviorofhismistressinthisinterviewdrovequicklyoffathersignal，andConradstoodamomentlookingafterthecarriage。Hisheartwasfullofjoy；itleaped；hethoughtitwouldburst。Asheturnedtowalkawayitseemedtohimasifhemountedupontheair。Thetrustshehadshownhim，thepraiseshehadgivenhim，thatcrushofthehand:hehopednothing，heformednoideafromit，butitallfilledhimwithlovethatcastoutthepainandshamehehadbeensuffering。Hebelievedthathecouldneverbeunhappyanymore；thehardnessthatwasinhismindtowardhisfatherwentoutofit；hesawhowsorelyhehadtriedhim；hegrievedthathehaddoneit，butthemeans，thedifferenceofhisfeelingaboutthecauseoftheirquarrel，hewassolemnlygladofthatsinceshesharedit。Hewasonlysorryforhisfather。"Poorfather!"hesaidunderhisbreathashewentalong。

Heexplainedtoherabouthisfatherinhisreverie，andshepitiedhisfather，too。

HewaswalkingovertowardtheWestSide，aimlesslyatfirst，andthenattimeswiththelongingtodosomethingtosavethosemistakenmenfromthemselvesformingitselfintoapurpose。Wasnotthatwhatshemeantwhenshebewailedherwoman"shelplessness?Shemusthavewishedhimtotryifhe，beingaman，couldnotdosomething；orifshedidnot，stillhewouldtry，andifsheheardofitshewouldrecallwhatshehadsaidandwouldbegladhehadunderstoodherso。Thinkingofherpleasureinwhathewasgoingtodo，heforgotalmostwhatitwas；butwhenhecametoastreet-cartrackherememberedit，andlookedupanddowntoseeiftherewereanyturbulentgatheringofmenwhomhemightminglewithandhelptokeepfromviolence。Hesawnoneanywhere；andthensuddenly，asifatthesamemoment，forinhisexaltedmoodalleventshadadream-

likesimultaneity，hestoodatthecornerofanavenue，andinthemiddleofit，alittlewayoff，wasastreet-car，andaroundthecaratumultofshouting，cursing，strugglingmen。Thedriverwaslashinghishorsesforward，andapolicemanwasattheirheads，withtheconductor，pullingthem；stones，clubs，brickbatshaileduponthecar，thehorses，thementryingtomovethem。Themobclosedupontheminabody，andthenapatrol-wagonwhirledupfromtheotherside，andasquadofpolicemenleapedoutandbegantoclubtherioters。Conradcouldseehowtheystruckthemundertherimsoftheirhats；theblowsontheirskullssoundedasiftheyhadfallenonstone；theriotersraninalldirections。

OneoftheofficersrusheduptowardthecornerwhereConradstood，andthenhesawathissideatall，oldman，withalong，whitebeard，whowascallingoutatthepolicemen:"Ah，yes!Glupthestrikerss——gifittothem!Whydon"tyoucoandglupthebresidentsthatinsoaltyourlawss，andgickyourBoartofArpidrationout-of-toors?Glupthestrikerss