第15章

"Idon\'tknow。Dryfoosthoughtofhavingladies，butitseemsyourinfallibleFulkersonoverruledhim。TheirpresencemighthavekeptLindauandourhostinbounds。"

IthadbecomepartoftheMarches\'conjugaljokeforhimtopretendthatshecouldallownothingwronginFulkerson，andhenowlaughedwithamockingairofhavingexpecteditwhenshesaid:"Well，then，ifMr。

Fulkersonsayshewillseethatitallcomesoutright，Isupposeyoumusttrusthistact。Iwouldn\'ttrustyours，Basil。ThefirstwrongstepwastakenwhenMr。Lindauwasaskedtohelponthemagazine。"

"Well，itwasyourinfallibleFulkersonthattookthestep，oratleastsuggestedit。I\'mhappytosayIhadtotallyforgottenmyearlyfriend。"

Mrs。Marchwasdauntedandsilencedforamoment。Thenshesaid:"Oh，pshaw!Youknowwellenoughhedidittopleaseyou。"

"I\'mverygladhedidn\'tdoittopleaseyou，Isabel，"saidherhusband，withaffectedseriousness。"Thoughperhapshedid。"

Hebegantolookatthehumorousaspectoftheaffair，whichitcertainlyhad，andtocommentonthesingularincongruitieswhich\'EveryOtherWeek\'wasdestinedtoinvolveateverymomentofitscareer。

"IwonderifI\'mmistakeninsupposingthatnootherperiodicalwaseverlikeit。Perhapsallperiodicalsarelikeit。ButIdon\'tbelievethere\'sanotherpublicationinNewYorkthatcouldbringtogether，inhonorofitself，afraternityandequalitycranklikepooroldLindau，andabelatedsociologicalcranklikeWoodburn，andatruculentspeculatorlikeoldDryfoos，andahumanitariandreamerlikeyoungDryfoos，andasentimentalistlikeme，andanondescriptlikeBeaton，andapureadvertisingessencelikeFulkerson，andasocietyspiritlikeKendricks。Ifwecouldonlyallowoneanothertotalkuninterruptedlyallthetime，thedinnerwouldbethegreatestsuccessintheworld，andweshouldcomehomefullofthehighestmutualrespect。ButI

suspectwecan\'tmanagethat——evenyourinfallibleFulkersoncouldn\'tworkit——andI\'mafraidthatthere\'llbesomelisteningthat\'llspoilthepleasureofthetime。"

MarchwassowellpleasedwiththisviewofthecasethathesuggestedtheideainvolvedtoFulkerson。Fulkersonwastoogoodafellownottolaughatanotherman\'sjoke，buthelaughedalittleruefully，andheseemedwornwithmorethanonekindofcareintheintervalthatpassedbetweenthepresenttimeandthenightofthedinner。

Dryfoosnecessarilydependeduponhimforadviceconcerningthescopeandnatureofthedinner，buthereceivedtheadvicesuspiciously，andcontestedpointsofobviousproprietywithpertinaciousstupidity。

Fulkersonsaidthatwhenitcametothepointhewouldratherhavehadthething，ashecalledit，atDelmonico\'sorsomeotherrestaurant；butwhenhefoundthatDryfoos\'spridewasboundupinhavingitathisownhouse，hegavewaytohim。Dryfoosalsowantedhiswoman-cooktopreparethedinner，butFulkersonpersuadedhimthatthiswouldnotdo；hemusthaveitfromacaterer。ThenDryfooswantedhismaidstowaitattable，butFulkersonconvincedhimthatthiswouldbeincongruousataman\'sdinner。ItwasdecidedthatthedinnershouldbesentinfromFrescobaldi\'s，andDryfooswentwithFulkersontodiscussitwiththecaterer。Heinsisteduponhavingeverythingexplainedtohim，andthereasonforhavingit，andnotsomethingelseinitsplace；andhetreatedFulkersonandFrescobaldiasiftheywereinleaguetoimposeuponhim。

ThereweremomentswhenFulkersonsawthevarnishofprofessionalpolitenesscrackingontheNeapolitan\'svolcanicsurface，andcaughtaglimpseofthelavafiresofthecook\'snaturebeneath；hetrembledforDryfoos，whowaswalkingrough-shodoverhiminthesecurityofanAmericanwhohadknownhowtomakehismoney，andmustknowhowtospendit；buthegothimsafelyawayatlast，andgaveFrescobaldiawinkofsympathyforhisshrugofexhaustionastheyturnedtoleavehim。

ItwasatfirstareliefandthenananxietywithFulkersonthatLindaudidnotcomeaboutafteracceptingtheinvitationtodinner，untilheappearedatDryfoos\'shouse，prompttothehour。Therewas，tobesure，nothingtobringhim；butFulkersonwasuneasilyawarethatDryfoosexpectedtomeethimattheoffice，andperhapsreceivesomeverbalacknowledgmentofthehonordonehim。Dryfoos，hecouldsee，thoughthewasdoingallhisinvitedguestsafavor；andwhilehestoodinacertainaweofthemaspeopleofmuchgreatersocialexperiencethanhimself，regardedthemwithakindofcontempt，aspeoplewhoweregoingtohaveabetterdinnerathishousethantheycouldeveraffordtohaveattheirown。Hehadfinallynotsparedexpenseuponit；afterpushingFrescobalditothepointoferuptionwithhismisgivingsandsuspicionsatthefirstinterview，hehadgonetohimasecondtimealone，andtoldhimnottoletthemoneystandbetweenhimandanythinghewouldliketodo。IntheabsenceofFrescobaldi\'sfellow-conspiratorherestoredhimselfinthecaterer\'sesteembyaddingwhateverhesuggested；andFulkerson，aftertremblingfortheoldman\'sniggardliness，wasnowafraidofafantasticprofusioninthefeast。Dryfooshadreducedthescaleofthebanquetasregardedthenumberofguests，butaconfusingremembranceofwhatFulkersonhadwishedtodoremainedwithhiminpart，anduptothedayofthedinnerhedroppedinatFrescobaldi\'sandorderedmoredishesandmoreofthem。HeimpressedtheItalianasanAmericanoriginalofanovelkind；andwhenheaskedFulkersonhowDryfooshadmadehismoney，andlearnedthatitwasprimarilyinnaturalgas，hemadenoteofsomeofhiseccentrictastesaspeculiaritiesthatweretobecaressedinanyfuturenatural-gasmillionairewhomightfallintohishands。HedidnotbegrudgethetimehehadtogiveinexplainingtoDryfoostherelationofthedifferentwinestothedifferentdishes；Dryfooswasapttosubstituteacostlierwinewherehecouldforacheaperone，andhegaveFrescobaldicarteblancheforthedecorationofthetablewithpiecesofartisticconfectionery。Amongthesethecatererdesignedoneforasurprisetohispatronandadelicaterecognitionofthesourceofhiswealth，whichhefoundDryfoosverywillingtotalkabout，whenheintimatedthatheknewwhatitwas。

DryfoosleftittoFulkersontoinvitetheguests，andhefoundreadyacceptanceofhispolitenessfromKendricks，whorightlyregardedthedinnerasapartofthe\'EveryOtherWeek\'business，andwastoosweetandkind-hearted，anyway，nottoseemverygladtocome。Marchwasamatterofcourse；butinColonelWoodburn，Fulkersonencounteredareluctancewhichembarrassedhimthemorebecausehewasconsciousofhaving，formotivesofhisown，ratherstrainedapointinsuggestingthecoloneltoDryfoosasafitsubjectforinvitation。Therehadbeenonlyoneofthecolonel\'sarticlesprintedasyet，andthoughithadmadeasensationinitsway，andstartedthetalkaboutthatnumber，stillitdidnotfairlyconstitutehimamemberofthestaff，orevenentitlehimtorecognitionasaregularcontributor。FulkersonfeltsosureofpleasinghimwithDryfoos\'smessagethathedelivereditinfullfamilycouncilatthewidow\'s。HisdaughterreceiveditwithalltheenthusiasmthatFulkersonhadhopedfor，butthecolonelsaid，stiffly，"IhavenotthepleasureofknowingMr。Dryfoos。"MissWoodburnappearedreadytofalluponhimatthis，butcontrolledherself，asifawarethatfilialauthorityhaditslimits，andpressedherlipstogetherwithoutsayinganything。

"Yes，Iknow，"Fulkersonadmitted。"Butitisn\'tausualcase。Mr。

Dryfoosdon\'tgoinmuchfortheconventionalities；Ireckonhedon\'tknowmuchabout\'em，cometoboilitdown；andhehoped"——hereFulkersonfeltthenecessityofinventingalittle——"thatyouwouldexcuseanywantofceremony；it\'stobesuchaninformalaffair，anyway；we\'reallgoinginbusinessdress，andthereain\'tgoingtobeanyladies。He\'dhavecomehimselftoaskyou，buthe\'sakindofabashfuloldfellow。It\'sallright，ColonelWoodburn。"

"Itakeitthatitis，sir，"saidthecolonel，courteously，butwithunabatedstate，"comingfromyou。Butinthesematterswehavenorighttoburdenourfriendswithourdecisions。"

"Ofcourse，ofcourse，"saidFulkerson，feelingthathehadbeendelicatelytoldtomindhisownbusiness。

"Iunderstand，"thecolonelwenton，"therelationthatMr。Dryfoosbearstotheperiodicalinwhichyouhavedonemethehonortoprintmypapah，butthisisaquestionofpassingtheboundsofapurelybusinessconnection，andofeatingthesaltofamanwhomyoudonotdefinitelyknowtobeagentleman。"

"Mahgoodness!"hisdaughterbrokein。"Ifyoubahyourownsaltwithhismoney——"

"ItissupposedthatIearnhismoneybeforeIbuymysaltwithit，"

returnedherfather，severely。"Andinthesetimes，whenmoneyisgotinheaps，throughthenaturaldecayofournefariouscommercialism，itbehoovesagentlemantobescrupulousthatthehospitalityofferedhimisnottheprofusionofathiefwithhisbooty。Idon\'tsaythatMr。

Dryfoos\'sgood-fortuneisnothonest。IsimplysaythatIknownothingaboutit，andthatIshouldprefertoknowsomethingbeforeIsatdownathisboard。"

"You\'reallright，colonel，"saidFulkerson，"andsoisMr。Dryfoos。

Igiveyoumywordthattherearenofliesonhispersonalintegrity，ifthat\'swhatyoumean。He\'shard，andhe\'dpushanadvantage，butI

don\'tbelievehewouldtakeanunfairone。He\'sspeculatedandmademoneyeverytime，butIneverheardofhiswreckingarailroadorbelongingtoanyswindlingcompanyoranygrindingmonopoly。Hedoeschanceitinstocks，buthe\'salwaysplayedonthesquare，ifyoucallstocksgambling。"

"MayI，thinkthisovertillmorning?"askedthecolonel。

"Oh，certainly，certainly，"saidFulkerson，eagerly。"Idon\'tknowasthere\'sanyhurry。"

MissWoodburnfoundachancetomurmurtohimbeforehewent:"He\'llcome。AndAh\'msomuchoblahged，Mr。Fulkerson。Ahjostknowit\'sallyou\'doing，anditwillgivepapaachancetotoaktosomenewpeople，andgetawayfromusevahlastin\'womenforonce。"

"Idon\'tseewhyanyoneshouldwanttodothat，"saidFulkerson，withgratefulgallantry。"ButI\'llbedogged，"hesaidtoMarchwhenhetoldhimaboutthisoddexperience，"ifIeverexpectedtofindColonelWoodburnonoldLindau\'sground。Hedidcomeroundhandsomelythismorningatbreakfastandapologizedfortakingtimetothinktheinvitationoverbeforeheaccepted。\'Youunderstand，\'hesays，\'thatifithadbeentothetableofsomefriendnotsoprosperousasMr。Dryfoos——yourfriendMr。March，forinstance——itwouldhavebeensufficienttoknowthathewasyourfriend。Butinthesedaysitisadutythatagentlemanoweshimselftoconsiderwhetherhewishestoknowarichmanornot。Thechancesofmakingmoneydisreputablyaresogreatthatthechancesareagainstamanwhohasmademoneyifhe\'smadeagreatdealofit。\'"

Marchlistenedwithafaceofironicalinsinuation。"Thatwasverygood；

andheseemstohavehadagooddealofconfidenceinyourpatienceandinyoursenseofhisimportancetotheoccasion——"

"No，no，"Fulkersonprotested，"there\'snoneofthatkindofthingaboutthecolonel。Itoldhimtotaketimetothinkitover；he\'sthesimplest-heartedoldfellowintheworld。"

"Ishouldsayso。Afterall，hedidn\'tgiveanyreasonhehadforaccepting。Butperhapstheyoungladyhadthereason。"

"Pshaw，March!"saidFulkerson。

VI。

SofarastheDryfoosfamilywasconcerned，thedinnermightaswellhavebeengivenatFrescobaldi\'srooms。Noneoftheladiesappeared。Mrs。

Dryfooswasgladtoescapetoherownchamber，whereshesatbeforeanautumnalfire，shakingherheadandtalkingtoherselfattimes，withtheforebodingofevilwhicholdwomenlikehermakepartoftheirreligion。

Thegirlsstoodjustoutofsightattheheadofthestairs，anddisputedwhichguestitwasateacharrival；Mrs。Mandelhadgonetoherroomtowriteletters，afterbeseechingthemnottostandthere。WhenKendrickscame，ChristinegaveMelaalittlepinch，equivalenttoalittlemockingshriek；for，onthegroundofhislongtalkwithMelaatMrs。Horn\'s，intheabsenceofanyotheradmirer，theybasedasuperstitionofhisinterestinher；whenBeatoncame，Melareturnedthepinch，butawkwardly，sothatithurt，andthenChristineinvoluntarilystruckher。

Frescobaldi\'smenwereinpossessioneverywheretheyhadturnedthecookoutofherkitchenandthewaitressoutofherpantry；thereluctantIrishmanatthedoorwassupplementedbyavividItalian，whospokeFrenchwiththeguests，andsaid，"Bien，Monsieur，"and"toutesuite，"

and"Merci!"toall，ashetooktheirhatsandcoats，andeffusedahospitalitythatneedednolanguagebutthegleamofhiseyesandteethandtheplayofhiseloquenthands。Fromhisprofessionaldress-coat，lustrouswiththegreasespottedonitatformerdinnersandparties，theypassedtothefrocksoftheelderandyoungerDryfoosinthedrawing-room，whichassumedinformalityfortheaffair，butdidnotputtheirwearerswhollyattheirease。Thefather\'scoatwasofblackbroadcloth，andheworeitunbuttoned；theskirtswerelong，andthesleevescamedowntohisknuckles；heshookhandswithhisguests，andthesamedrynessseemedtobeinhispalmandthroat，ashehuskilyaskedeachtotakeachair。Conrad\'scoatwasofmoderntextureandcut，andwasbuttonedabouthimasifitconcealedabadconsciencewithinitslapels；hemetMarchwithhisentreatingsmile，andheseemednomorecapableofcopingwiththesituationthanhisfather。TheybothwaitedforFulkerson，whowentaboutanddidhisbesttokeeplifeinthepartyduringthehalf-hourthatpassedbeforetheysatdownatdinner。Beatonstoodgloomilyaloof，asifwaitingtobeapproachedontherightbasisbeforeyieldinganinchofhisground；ColonelWoodburn，awaitingthemomentwhenhecouldsallyoutonhishobby，kepthimselfintrenchedwithinthedignityofagentleman，andexaminedaskancethefigureofoldLindauashestaredabouttheroom，withhisfineheadup，andhisemptysleevedanglingoverhiswrist。Marchfeltobligedtohimforwearinganewcoatinthemidstofthathostileluxury，andhewasgladtoseeDryfoosmakeuptohimandbegintotalkwithhim，asifhewishedtoshowhimparticularrespect，thoughitmighthavebeenbecausehewaslessafraidofhimthanoftheothers。HeheardLindausaying，"Boat，thenameisChoarman?"andDryfoosbeginningtoexplainhisPennsylvaniaDutchorigin，andhesufferedhimself，withasighofrelief，tofallintotalkwithKendricks，whowasalwayspleasant；hewaswillingtotalkaboutsomethingbesideshimself，andhadnoopinionsthathewasnotreadytoholdinabeyanceforthetimebeingoutofkindnesstoothers。

Inthatgroupofimpassionedindividualities，Marchfelthimarefugeandcomfort——withhisharmlessdilettanteintentionofsomedaywritinganovel，andhisbeliefthathewasmeantimecollectingmaterialforit。

Fulkerson，whilebreakingtheiceforthewholecompany，wasmainlyengagedinkeepingColonelWoodburnthawedout。HetookKendricksawayfromMarchandpresentedhimtothecolonelasapersonwho，likehimself，waslookingintosocialconditions；heputonehandonKendricks\'sshoulder，andoneonthecolonel\'s，andmadesomeflatteringjoke，apparentlyattheexpenseoftheyoungfellow，andthenleftthem。

MarchheardKendricksprotestinvain，andthecolonelsay，gravely:

"Idonotwonder，sir，thatthesethingsinterestyou。Theyconstituteaproblemwhichsocietymustsolveorwhichwilldissolvesociety，"andheknewfromthatformula，whichthecolonelhad，onceusedwithhim，thathewaslayingoutaroadfortheexhibitionofthehobby\'spaceslater。

FulkersoncamebacktoMarch，whohadturnedtowardConradDryfoos，andsaid，"Ifwedon\'tgetthisthinggoingprettysoon，it\'llbethedeathofme，"andjustthenFrescobaldi\'sbutlercameinandannouncedtoDryfoosthatdinnerwasserved。TheoldmanlookedtowardFulkersonwithatroubledglance，asifhedidnotknowwhattodo；hemadeagesturetotouchLindau\'selbow。Fulkersoncalledout，"Here\'sColonelWoodburn，Mr。Dryfoos，"asifDryfooswerelookingforhim；andhesettheexampleofwhathewastodobytakingLindau\'sarmhimself。"Mr。Lindauisgoingtositatmyendofthetable，alongsideofMarch。Standnotupontheorderofyourgoing，gentlemen，butfallinatonce。"HecontrivedtogetDryfoosandthecolonelbeforehim，andheletMarchfollowwithKendricks。ConradcamelastwithBeaton，whohadbeenturningoverthemusicatthepiano，andchafinginwardlyatthewholeaffair。AtthetableColonelWoodburnwasplacedonDryfoos\'sright，andMarchonhisleft。MarchsatonFulkerson\'sright，withLindaunexthim；andtheyoungmenoccupiedtheotherseats。

"PutyounexttoMarch，Mr。Lindau，"saidFulkerson，"soyoucanbegintoputApollinarisinhischampagne-glassattherightmoment；youknowhislittleweaknessofold；sorrytosayit\'sgrownonhim。"

MarchlaughedwithkindlyacquiescenceinFulkerson\'swishtostartthegayety，andLindaupattedhimontheshoulder。"Iknowhissveakness。

Ifheligesaclassofvine，itissbegausehisloafingludesefenhissenemy，asShakespearegalledit。"

"Ah，butShakespearecouldn\'thavebeenthinkingofchampagne，"saidKendricks。

"Isuppose，sir，"ColonelWoodburninterposed，withloftycourtesy，"champagnecouldhardlyhavebeenknowninhisday。"

"Isupposenot，colonel，"returnedtheyoungerman，deferentially。

"Heseemedtothinkthatsackandsugarmightbeafault；buthedidn\'tmentionchampagne。"

"Perhapshefelttherewasnoquestionaboutthat，"suggestedBeaton，whothenfeltthathehadnotdonehimselfjusticeinthesally。

"Iwonderjustwhenchampagnedidcomein，"saidMarch。

"Iknowwhenitoughttocomein，"saidFulkerson。"Beforethesoup!"

Theyalllaughed，andgavethemselvestheairofdrinkingchampagneoutoftumblerseveryday，asmenliketodo。Dryfooslisteneduneasily；hedidnotquiteunderstandtheallusions，thoughheknewwhatShakespearewas，wellenough；Conrad\'sfaceexpressedagentledeprecationofjokingonsuchasubject，buthesaidnothing。

Thetalkranonbrisklythroughthedinner。Theyoungmentossedtheballbackandforth；theymadesomewildshots，buttheykeptitgoing，andtheylaughedwhentheywerehit。ThewineloosedColonelWoodburn\'stongue；hebecameverycompanionablewiththeyoungfellows；withthefeelingthataliterarydinneroughttohaveadidacticscope，hepraisedScottandAddisonastheonlyauthorsfittoformthemindsofgentlemen。

Kendricksagreedwithhim，butwishedtoaddthenameofFlaubertasamasterofstyle。"Style，youknow，"headded，"istheman。"

"Verytrue，sir；youarequiteright，sir，"thecolonelassented；hewonderedwhoFlaubertwas。

BeatonpraisedBaudelaireandMaupassant；hesaidthesewerethemasters。

HerecitedsomeluridversesfromBaudelaire；Lindaupronouncedthemadisgracetohumannature，andgaveapassagefromVictorHugoonLouisNapoleon，withhisheavyGermanaccent，andthenhequotedSchiller。

"Ach，boatthatisapeaudifool!Notzo?"hedemandedofMarch。

"Yes，beautiful；but，ofcourse，youknowIthinkthere\'snobodylikeHeine!"

Lindauthrewbackhisgreatoldheadandlaughed，showingawantofteethunderhismustache。HeputhishandonMarch\'sback。"Thispoy——hewasapoyden——warssogracytopekinreadingHeinethathegommencewiththetictionarybevoreheknowsanyGrammar，andvebickitoutvortbyvorttogeder。"

"Hewasaprettycaypoyinthosedays，heigh，Lindau?"askedFulkerson，burlesquingtheoldman\'saccent，withanimpudentwinkthatmadeLindauhimselflaugh。"Butinthedarkages，Imean，thereinIndianapolis。Justhowlongagodidyouoldcodgersmeetthere，anyway?"

FulkersonsawtherestivenessinDryfoos\'seyeatthepurelyliterarycoursethetalkhadtaken；hehadintendedittoleadupthatwaytobusiness，to\'EveryOtherWeek；\'buthesawthatitwasleavingDryfoostoofarout，andhewishedtogetitonthepersonalground，whereeverybodyisathome。

"Ledtmezee，"musedLindau。"Wassitinfifty-nineorzixty，Passil?

Idtwassayearordwopeforethewarprokeoudt，anyway。"

"Thosewereexcitingtimes，"saidDryfoos，makinghisfirstentryintothegeneraltalk。"IwentdowntoIndianapoliswiththefirstcompanyfromourplace，andIsawthered-shirtspouringineverywhere。Theyhadasong，"Oh，nevermindtheweather，butgitoverdoubletrouble，Forwe\'reboundforthelandofCanaan。"

Thefellowslockedarmsandwentsingin\'itupanddownfourorfiveabreastinthemoonlight；crowdedeverybody\'elseoffthesidewalk。"

"Iremember，Iremember，"saidLindau，noddinghisheadslowlyupanddown。"AcoodtmanyoffthemnefergomepackfromthatlandtofGanaan，Mr。Dryfoos?"

"You\'reright，Mr。Lindau。ButIreckonitwasworthit——thecountrywe\'vegotnow。Here，youngman!"Hecaughtthearmofthewaiterwhowasgoingroundwiththechampagnebottle。"FillupMr。Lindau\'sglass，there。Iwanttodrinkthehealthofthoseoldtimeswithhim。Here\'stoyouremptysleeve，Mr。Lindau。Godblessit!Nooffencetoyou，ColonelWoodburn，"saidDryfoos，turningtohimbeforehedrank。

"Notatall，sir，notatall，"saidthecolonel。"Iwilldrinkwithyou，ifyouwillpermitme。"

"We\'llalldrink-standing!"criedFulkerson。"HelpMarchtogetup，somebody!FillhighthebowlwithSamianApollinarisforCoonrod!Now，then，hurrahforLindau!"

Theycheered，andhammeredonthetablewiththebuttsoftheirknife-

handles。Lindauremainedseated。Thetearscameintohiseyes；hesaid，"Ithankyou，chendlemen，"andhiccoughed。

"I\'d\'a\'wentintothewarmyself，"saidDryfoos，"butIwasraisin\'

afamilyofyoungchildren，andIdidn\'tseehowIcouldleavemyfarm。

ButIhelpedtofillupthequotaateverycall，andwhenthevolunteeringstoppedIwentroundwiththesubscriptionpapermyself；

andweofferedasgoodbountiesasanyintheState。Mysubstitutewaskilledinoneofthelastskirmishes——infact，afterLee\'ssurrender——

andI\'vetookcareofhisfamily，moreorless，eversince。"

"By-the-way，March，"saidFulkerson，"whatsortofanideawoulditbetohaveagoodwarstory——mightbeaserial——inthemagazine?Thewarhasneverfullypannedoutinfictionyet。Itwasusedagooddealjustafteritwasover，andthenitwasdropped。Ithinkit\'stimetotakeitupagain。Ibelieveitwouldbeacard。"

ItwasrunninginMarch\'smindthatDryfooshadanoldranklingshameinhisheartfornothavinggoneintothewar，andthathehadoftenmadethatexplanationofhiscoursewithouthavingeverbeensatisfiedwithit。Hefeltsorryforhim；thefactseemedpathetic；itsuggestedadormantnoblenessintheman。

BeatonwassayingtoFulkerson:"Youmightgetaseriesofsketchesbysubstitutes；thesubstituteshaven\'tbeenmuchheardfrominthewarliterature。Howwould\'TheAutobiographyofaSubstitute\'do?Youmightfollowhimuptothemomenthewaskilledintheotherman\'splace，andinquirewhetherhehadanyrighttothefeelingsofaherowhenhewasonlyhiredintheplaceofone。Mightcallit\'TheCareerofaDeputyHero。\'"

"Ifancy，"saidMarch，"thattherewasagreatdealofmixedmotiveinthemenwhowentintothewaraswellasinthosewhokeptoutofit。

Wecanonizedallthatdiedorsufferedinit，butsomeofthemmusthavebeenself-seekingandlow-minded，likemeninothervocations。"HefoundhimselfsayingthisinDryfoos\'sbehalf；theoldmanlookedathimgratefullyatfirst，hethought，andthensuspiciously。

Lindauturnedhisheadtowardhimandsaid:"Youarerighdt，Passil；youarerighdt。Ihafzeenonthefieldtofpattlethevoarsteggsipitionsofhumanpaseness——chelousy，fanity，ecodisticbridte。Ihafzeenmeninthefaceoffdeathitselfgoffernedbymotifesaslowas——aspusinessmotifes。"

"Well，"saidFulkerson，。"itwouldbeagrandthingfor\'EveryOtherWeek\'

ifwecouldgetsomeofthoseideasworkedupintoaseries。Itwouldmakealotoftalk。"

ColonelWoodburnignoredhiminsaying，"Ithink，MajorLindau——"

"Highbrifate；prefetgorporal，"theoldmaninterrupted，inrejectionofthetitle。

Hendrickslaughedandsaid，withaglanceofappreciationatLindau，"Brevetcorporalisgood。"

ColonelWoodburnfrownedalittle，andpassedoverthejoke。"IthinkMr。Lindauisright。Suchexhibitionswerecommontobothsides，thoughifyougentlemenwillpardonmeforsayingso，Ithinktheywerelessfrequentonours。Wewerefightingmoreimmediatelyforexistence。

Wewerefewerthanyouwere，andweknewit；wefeltmoreintenselythatifeachwerenotforall，thennonewasforany。"

Thecolonel\'swordsmadetheirimpression。Dryfoossaid，withauthority，"Thatisso。"

"ColonelWoodburn，"Fulkersoncalledout，"ifyou\'llworkupthoseideasintoashortpaper——say，threethousandwords——I\'llengagetomakeMarchtakeit。"

Thecolonelwentonwithoutreplying:"ButMr。Lindauisrightincharacterizingsomeofthemotivesthatledmentothecannon\'smouthasnohigherthanbusinessmotives，andhiscomparisonisthemostforciblethathecouldhaveused。Iwasverymuchstruckbyit。"

Thehobbywasout，thecolonelwasinthesaddlewithsofirmaseatthatnoeffortsufficedtodislodgehim。Thedinnerwentonfromcoursetocoursewithbarbaricprofusion，andfromtimetotimeFulkersontriedtobringthetalkbackto\'EveryOtherWeek。\'Butperhapsbecausethatwasonlytheostensibleandnottherealobjectofthedinner，whichwastobringanumberofmentogetherunderDryfoos\'sroof，andmakethemthewitnessesofhissplendor，makethemfeelthepowerofhiswealth，Fulkerson\'sattemptsfailed。Thecolonelshowedhowcommercialismwasthepoisonattheheartofournationallife；howwebeganasasimple，agriculturalpeople，whohadfledtotheseshoreswiththeinstinct，divinelyimplanted，ofbuildingastatesuchasthesunnevershoneuponbefore；howwehadconqueredthewildernessandthesavage；howwehadflungoff，inourstrugglewiththemother-country，thetrammelsoftraditionandprecedent，andhadsettleddown，afreenation，tothepracticeoftheartsofpeace；howthespiritofcommercialismhadstoleninsidiouslyuponus，andtheinfernalimpulseofcompetitionhadembroiledusinaperpetualwarfareofinterests，developingtheworstpassionsofournature，andteachingustotrickandbetrayanddestroyoneanotherinthestrifeformoney，tillnowthatimpulsehadexhausteditself，andwefoundcompetitiongoneandthewholeeconomicprobleminthehandsofmonopolies——theStandardOilCompany，theSugarTrust，theRubberTrust，andwhatnot。Andnowwhatwasthenextthing?Affairscouldnotremainastheywere；itwasimpossible；andwhatwasthenextthing?"

Thecompanylistenedforthemainpartsilently。Dryfoostriedtograsptheideaofcommercialismasthecolonelseemedtoholdit；heconceivedofitassomethinglikethedry-goodsbusinessonavastscale，andheknewhehadneverbeeninthat。Hedidnotliketohearcompetitioncalledinfernal；hehadalwayssupposeditwassomethingsacred；butheapprovedofwhatColonelWoodburnsaidoftheStandardOilCompany；itwasalltrue；theStandardOilhassqueezedDryfoosonce，andmadehimsellitalotofoil-wellsbyputtingdownthepriceofoilsolowinthatregionthathelostmoneyoneverybarrelhepumped。

Alltherestlistenedsilently，exceptLindau；ateverypointthecolonelmadeagainstthepresentconditionofthingshesaidmoreandmorefiercely，"Youarerighdt，youarerighdt。"Hiseyesglowed，hishandplayedwithhisknife-hilt。Whenthecoloneldemanded，"Andwhatisthenextthing?"hethrewhimselfforward，andrepeated:"Yes，sir!Whatisthenextthing?"

"Naturalgas，bythunder!"shoutedFulkerson。

OneofthewaitershadprofitedbyLindau\'sposturetoleanoverhimandputdowninthemiddleofthetableastructureinwhitesugar。ItexpressedFrescobaldi\'sconceptionofaderrick，andatouchofnaturehadbeenaddedintheflameofbrandy，whichburnedluridlyupfromasmallpitinthecentreofthebase，andrepresentedthegasincombustionasitissuedfromtheground。FulkersonburstintoaroaroflaughterwiththewordsthatrecognizedFrescobaldi\'spersonaltributetoDryfoos。Everybodyroseandpeeredoveratthething，whileheexplainedtheworkofsinkingagas-well，ashehadalreadyexplainedittoFrescobaldi。Inthemidstofhislecturehecaughtsightofthecatererhimself，wherehestoodinthepantrydoorway，smilingwithanartist\'sanxietyfortheeffectofhismasterpiece。

"Comein，comein，Frescobaldi!Wewanttocongratulateyou，"Fulkersoncalledtohim。"Here，gentlemen!Here\'sFrescobaldi\'shealth。"

Theyalldrank；andFrescobaldi，smilingbrilliantlyandrubbinghishandsashebowedrightandleft，permittedhimselftosaytoDryfoos:

"Youareplease；no?Youlike?"

"First-rate，first-rate!"saidtheoldman；butwhentheItalianhadbowedhimselfoutandhisguestshadsunkintotheirseatsagain，hesaiddrylytoFulkerson，"Ireckontheydidn\'thavetotorpedothatwell，orthederrickwouldn\'tlookquitesoniceandclean。"

"Yes，"Fulkersonanswered，"andthatain\'tquitethestyle——thatlittlewiggly-wagglyblueflame——thatthegasactswhenyoutouchoffagoodveinofit。Thismightdoforweakgas"；andhewentontoexplain:

"Theycallitweakgaswhentheytapittwoorthreehundredfeetdown；

andanybodycansinkawellinhisbackyardandgetenoughgastolightandheathishouse。Irememberonefellowthathaditblazingupfromapipethroughaflower-bed，justlikeajetofwaterfromafountain。

My，my，my!Youfel——yougentlemen——oughttogooutandseethatcountry，allofyou。Wishwecouldtorpedothiswell，Mr。Dryfoos，andlet\'emseehowitworks!Mindthatoneyoutorpedoedforme?Youknow，whentheysinkawell，"hewentontothecompany，"theycan\'talwaysmostgenerallysometimestellwhetherthey\'regoin\'togetgasoroilorsaltwater。Why，whentheyfirstbegantoboreforsaltwateroutontheKanawha，backaboutthebeginningofthecentury，theyusedtogetgasnowandthen，andthentheyconsidereditafailure；theycalledagas-

wellablower，andgiveitupindisgust；thetimewasn\'tripeforgasyet。Nowtheyboreawaysometimestilltheygethalf-waytoChina，anddon\'tseemtostrikeanythingworthspeakingof。Thentheyputadynamitetorpedodowninthewellandexplodeit。TheyhavealittlebarofironthattheycallaGo-devil，andtheyjustdropitdownonthebusinessendofthetorpedo，andthenstandfromunder，ifyouplease!

Youhearanoise，andinabouthalfaminuteyoubegintoseeone，anditbeginstorainoilandmudandsaltwaterandrocksandpitchforksandadoptivecitizens；andwhenitclearsupthederrick\'spainted——gotacoatonthat\'llwearinanyclimate。That\'swhatourhonoredhostmeant。Generallygetsomevisitinglady，whenthere\'soneround，todroptheGo-devil。ButthatdaywehadtoputupwithConradhere。Theyofferedtoletmedropit，butIdeclined。Itold\'emIhadn\'tmuchpracticewithGo-devilsinthenewspapersyndicatebusiness，andIwasn\'tverywellmyself，anyway。Astonishing，"Fulkersoncontinued，withtheairofrelievinghisexplanationbyananecdote，"howrecklesstheygetusingdynamitewhenthey\'retorpedoingwells。Westoppedatoneplacewhereafellowwashandlingthecartridgesprettyfreely，andMr。Dryfooshappenedtocautionhimalittle，andthatasscameupwithoneof\'eminhishand，andbegantopounditonthebuggy-wheeltoshowushowsafeitwas。Iturnedgreen，Iwassoscared；butMr。Dryfooskepthiscolor，andkindofcoaxedthefellowtillhequit。Youcouldseehewasthefoolkind，thatifyoutriedtostophimhe\'dkeeponhammeringthatcartridge，justtoshowthatitwouldn\'texplode，tillheblewyouintoKingdomCome。Whenwegothimtogoaway，Mr。Dryfoosdroveuptohisforeman。\'PaySheneyoff，anddischargehimonthespot，\'sayshe。

\'He\'stoosafeamantohaveround；heknowstoomuchaboutdynamite。\'

Ineversawanybodysocool。"

DryfoosmodestlydroppedhisheadunderFulkerson\'sflatteryand，withoutliftingit，turnedhiseyestowardColonelWoodburn。"Ihadallsortsofmentodealwithindevelopingmypropertyoutthere，butIhadverylittletroublewiththem，generallyspeaking。"

"Ah，ah!youfoundtthelaboring-manreasonable——dractable——tocile?"

Lindauputin。

"Yes，generallyspeaking，"Dryfoosanswered。"Theymostlyknewwhichsideoftheirbreadwasbuttered。Ididhaveonelittledifficultyatonetime。IthappenedtobewhenMr。Fulkersonwasoutthere。Someofthementriedtoformaunion——"

"No，no!"criedFulkerson。"Letmetellthat!Iknowyouwouldn\'tdoyourselfjustice，Mr。Dryfoos，andIwant\'emtoknowhowastrikecanbemanaged，ifyoutakeitintime。Yousee，someofthosefellowsgotanotionthatthereoughttobeaunionamongtheworking-mentokeepupwages，anddictatetotheemployers，andMr。Dryfoos\'sforemanwastheringleaderinthebusiness。Theyunderstoodprettywellthatassoonashefounditoutthatforemanwouldwalktheplank，andsotheywatchedouttilltheythoughttheyhadMr。Dryfoosjustwheretheywantedhim——

everythingonthekeenjump，andeverymanworthhisweightindiamonds——andthentheycametohim，and——toldhimtosignapromisetokeepthatforemantotheendoftheseason，ortillhewasthroughwiththeworkontheDryfoosandHendryAddition，underpenaltyofhavingthemallknockoff。Mr。Dryfoossmelledamouse，buthecouldn\'ttellwherethemousewas；hesawthattheydidhavehim，andhesigned，ofcourse。Therewasn\'tanythingreallyagainstthefellow，anyway；hewasafirst-rateman，andhedidhisdutyeverytime；onlyhe\'dgotsomeofthoseideasintohishead，andtheyturnedit。Mr。Dryfoossigned，andthenhelaidlow。"

MarchsawLindaulisteningwithamountingintensity，andheardhimmurmurinGerman，"Shameful!shameful!"

Fulkersonwenton:"Well，itwasn\'tlongbeforetheybegantoshowtheirhand，butMr。Dryfooskeptdark。Heagreedtoeverything；thereneverwassuchanobligingcapitalistbefore；therewasn\'tathingtheyaskedofhimthathedidn\'tdo，withthegreatestofpleasure，andallwentmerryasamarriage-belltillonemorningawholegangoffreshmenmarchedintotheDryfoosandHendryAddition，undertheescortofadozenPinkertonswithrepeatingriflesathalf-cock，andaboutfiftyfellowsfoundthemselvesoutofajob。Youneversawsuchamadset。"

"Prettyneat，"saidKendricks，wholookedattheaffairpurelyfromanaestheticpointofview。"Suchacoupasthatwouldtelltremendouslyinaplay。"

"Thatwasviletreason，"saidLindauinGermantoMarch。"He\'saninfamoustraitor!Icannotstayhere。Imustgo。"

Hestruggledtorise，whileMarchheldhimbythecoat，andimploredhimunderhisvoice:"ForHeaven\'ssake，don\'t，Lindau!Youoweittoyourselfnottomakeascene，ifyoucomehere。"Somethinginitallaffectedhimcomically；hecouldnothelplaughing。

Theotherswerediscussingthematter，andseemednottohavenoticedLindau，whocontrolledhimselfandsighed:"Youareright。Imusthavepatience。"

BeatonwassayingtoDryfoos，"PityyourPinkertonscouldn\'thavegiventhemafewshotsbeforetheyleft。"

"No，thatwasn\'tnecessary，"saidDryfoos。"Isucceededinbreakinguptheunion。Ienteredintoanagreementwithotherpartiesnottoemployanymanwhowouldnotswearthathewasnon-union。Iftheyhadattemptedviolence，ofcoursetheycouldhavebeenshot。Buttherewasnofearofthat。Thosefellowscanalwaysbedependedupontocutoneanother\'sthroatsinthelongrun。"

"Butsometimes，"saidColonelWoodburn，whohadbeenwatchingthroughout。

forachancetomounthishobbyagain，"theymakeagooddealoftroublefirst。Howwasitinthegreatrailroadstrikeof\'77?"

"Well，Iguesstherewasalittletroublethattime，colonel，"saidFulkerson。"Butthementhatundertaketooverridethelawsandparalyzetheindustriesofacountrylikethisgenerallygetleftintheend。"

"Yes，sir，generally；anduptoacertainpoint，always。Butit\'stheexceptionalthatisapttohappen，aswellastheunexpected。Andalittlereflectionwillconvinceanygentlemanherethatthereisalwaysadangeroftheexceptionalinyoursystem。Thefactis，thosefellowshavethegameintheirownhandsalready。AstrikeofthewholebodyoftheBrotherhoodofEngineersalonewouldstarveouttheentireAtlanticseaboardinaweek；laborinsurrectioncouldmakeheadatadozengivenpoints，andyourgovernmentcouldn\'tmoveamanovertheroadswithoutthehelpoftheengineers。"

"Thatisso，"saidKendrick，struckbythedramaticcharacteroftheconjecture。Heimaginedafictiondealingwiththesituationassomethingalreadyaccomplished。

"Whydon\'tsomefellowdotheBattleofDorkingactwiththatthing?"

saidFulkerson。"Itwouldbeacard。"

"ExactlywhatIwasthinking，Mr。Fulkerson，"saidKendricks。

Fulkersonlaughed。"Telepathy——clearcaseofmindtransference。BetterseeMarch，here，aboutit。I\'dliketohaveitin\'EveryOtherWeek。\'

Itwouldmaketalk。"

"Perhapsitmightsetyourpeopletothinkingaswellastalking，"saidthecolonel。

"Well，sir，"saidDryfoos，settinghislipssotightlytogetherthathisimperialstuckstraightoutward，"ifIhadmyway，therewouldn\'tbeanyBrotherhoodofEngineers，noranyotherkindoflaborunioninthewholecountry。"

"What!"shoutedLindau。"Youwouldsobbresstheunionssofthevoarking-

men?"

"Yes，Iwould。"

"Andwhatwouldyoudowiththeunionssofthegabidalists——thedrosts——

andgompines，andboolss?Wouldyoudaketherighdtfromoneandgifittotheodder?"

"Yes，sir，Iwould，"saidDryfoos，withawickedlookathim。

Lindauwasabouttoroarbackathimwithsomefuriousprotest，butMarchputhishandonhisshoulderimploringly，andLindauturnedtohimtosayinGerman:"Butitisinfamous——infamous!Whatkindofmanisthis?Whoishe?Hehastheheartofatyrant。"

ColonelWoodburncutin。"Youcouldn\'tdothat，Mr。Dryfoos，underyoursystem。Andifyouattemptedit，withyourconspiracylaws，andthatkindofthing，itmightbringtheclimaxsoonerthanyouexpected。Yourcommercializedsocietyhasbuiltitshouseonthesands。Itwillhavetogo。ButIshouldbesorryifitwentbeforeitstime。"

"Youarerighdt，sir，"saidLindau。"Itwouldbeabity。Ihobeitwilllasttillitfeelssitsrottenness，likeHerodt。Boat，whenitshourgomes，whenittropetobieceswiththeveightoffitsowngorrubtion——

whatthen?"

"It\'snottobesupposedthatasystemofthingslikethiscandroptopiecesofitsownaccord，liketheoldRepublicofVenice，"saidthecolonel。"Butwhenthelastvestigeofcommercialsocietyisgone，thenwecanbegintobuildanew；andweshallbuilduponthecentralidea，notofthefalselibertyyounowworship，butofresponsibility——

responsibility。Theenlightened，themoneyed，thecultivatedclassshallberesponsibletothecentralauthority——emperor，duke，president；thenamedoesnotmatter——forthenationalexpenseandthenationaldefence，anditshallberesponsibletotheworking-classesofallkindsforhomesandlandsandimplements，andtheopportunitytolaboratalltimes。

Theworking-classesshallberesponsibletotheleisureclassforthesupportofitsdignityinpeace，andshallbesubjecttoitscommandinwar。Therichshallwarrantthepooragainstplanlessproductionandtheruinthatnowfollows，againstdangerfromwithoutandfaminefromwithin，andthepoor——"

"No，no，no!"shoutedLindau。"TheStateshalldothat——thewholebeople。Themenwhovoarkshallhaveandshalleat；andthementhatwillnotvoark，theyshallsdarfe。Butnomanneedsdarfe。HewillgototheState，andtheStatewillseethathehafvoark，andthathehaffoodt。Alltheroadtsandmillsandminesandlandtsshallbethebeople\'sandberonbythebeopleforthebeople。Thereshallbenorichandnoboor；andthereshallnotbewaranymore，forwhatbowerwouldtdaretoaddackabeopleboundtogederinabroderhoodlikethat?"

"Lionandlambact，"saidFulkerson，notwellknowing，aftersomuchchampagne，whatwordshewasusing。

Noonenoticedhim，andColonelWoodburnsaidcoldlytoLindau，"Youaretalkingpaternalism，sir。"

"Andyouaredalkingfeutalism!"retortedtheoldman。

Thecoloneldidnotreply。Asilenceensued，whichnoonebroketillFulkersonsaid:"Well，now，lookhere。Ifeitheroneofthesemillenniumswasbroughtabout，byforceofarms，orotherwise，whatwouldbecomeof\'EveryOtherWeek\'?WhowouldwantMarchforaneditor?HowwouldBeatonsellhispictures?WhowouldprintMr。Kendricks\'slittlesocietyversesandshortstories?WhatwouldbecomeofConradandhisgoodworks?"ThosenamedgrinnedinsupportofFulkerson\'sdiversion，butLindauandthecoloneldidnotspeak；Dryfooslookeddownathisplate，frowning。

Awaitercameroundwithcigars，andFulkersontookone。"Ah，"hesaid，ashebitofftheend，andleanedovertotheemblematicmasterpiece，wherethebrandywasstillfeeblyflickering，"Iwonderifthere\'senoughnaturalgaslefttolightmycigar。"Hiseffortputtheflameoutandknockedthederrickover；itbrokeinfragmentsonthetable。Fulkersoncackledovertheruin:"IwonderifallMoffittwilllookthatwayafterlaborandcapitalhavefoughtitouttogether。Ihopethisain\'tominousofanythingpersonal，Dryfoos?"

"I\'lltaketheriskofit，"saidtheoldman，harshly。

Herosemechanically，andFulkersonsaidtoFrescobaldi\'sman，"Youcanbringusthecoffeeinthelibrary。"

Thetalkdidnotrecoveritselfthere。Landauwouldnotsitdown；herefusedcoffee，anddismissedhimselfwithahaughtybowtothecompany；

ColonelWoodburnshookhandselaboratelyallround，whenhehadsmokedhiscigar；theothersfollowedhim。ItseemedtoMarchthathisowngood-nightfromDryfooswasdryandcold。

VII。

MarchmetFulkersononthestepsoftheofficenextmorning，whenhearrivedratherlaterthanhiswont。Fulkersondidnotshowanyofthesignsofsufferingfromthelastnight\'spleasurewhichpaintedthemselvesinMarch\'sface。Heflirtedhishandgaylyintheair，andsaid，"How\'syourpoorhead?"andbrokeintoaknowinglaugh。

"Youdon\'tseemtohavegotupwiththelarkthismorning。TheoldgentlemanisintherewithConrad，asbrightasabiscuit；he\'sbeatyoudown。Well，wedidhaveagoodtime，didn\'twe?AndoldLindauandthecolonel，didn\'ttheyhaveagoodtime?Idon\'tsupposetheyeverhadachancebeforetogivetheirtheoriesquitesomuchair。Oh，my!howtheydidrideoverus!I\'mjustgoingdowntoseeBeatonaboutthecoveroftheChristmasnumber。Ithinkweoughttotryitinthreeorfourcolors，ifwearegoingtoobservethedayatall。"HewasoffbeforeMarchcouldpullhimselftogethertoaskwhatDryfooswantedattheofficeatthathourofthemorning；healwayscameintheafternoononhiswayup-town。

ThefactofhispresencerenewedthesinistermisgivingswithwhichMarchhadpartedfromhimthenightbefore，butFulkerson\'scheerfulnessseemedtogainsaythem；afterwardMarchdidnotknowwhethertoattributethismoodtotheslipperinessthathewasawareofattimesinFulkerson，ortoacynicalamusementhemighthavefeltatleavinghimalonetotheoldman，whomountedtohisroomshortlyafterMarchhadreachedit。

Asortofdumbangershoweditselfinhisface；hisjawwassetsofirmlythathedidnotseemableatoncetoopenit。Heasked，withouttheceremoniesofgreeting，"Whatdoesthatone-armedDutchmandoonthisbook?"

"Whatdoeshedo?"Marchechoed，aspeopleareapttodowithaquestionthatismandatoryandoffensive。

"Yes，sir，whatdoeshedo?Doeshewriteforit?"

"IsupposeyoumeanLindau，"saidMarch。HesawnoreasonforrefusingtoanswerDryfoos\'sdemand，andhedecidedtoignoreitsterms。"No，hedoesn\'twriteforitintheusualway。Hetranslatesforit；

heexaminestheforeignmagazines，anddrawsmyattentiontoanythinghethinksofinterest。ButItoldyouaboutthisbefore——"

"Iknowwhatyoutoldme，wellenough。AndIknowwhatheis。Heisared-mouthedlaboragitator。He\'soneofthoseforeignersthatcomeherefromplaceswherethey\'veneverhadadecentmeal\'svictualsintheirlives，andassoonastheygettheirstomachsfull，theybegintomaketroublebetweenourpeopleandtheirhands。There\'swherethestrikescomefrom，andtheunionsandthesecretsocieties。TheycomehereandbreakourSabbath，andteachtheiratheism。Theyoughttobehung!

Let\'emgobackiftheydon\'tlikeitoverhere。Theywanttoruinthecountry。"

Marchcouldnothelpsmilingalittleatthewords，whichcamefastenoughnowinthehoarsestaccatoofDryfoos\'spassion。"Idon\'tknowwhomyoumeanbythey，generallyspeaking；butIhadtheimpressionthatpooroldLindauhadoncedonehisbesttosavethecountry。Idon\'talwayslikehiswayoftalking，butIknowthatheisoneofthetruestandkindestsoulsintheworld；andheisnomoreanatheistthanIam。

Heismyfriend，andIcan\'tallowhimtobemisunderstood。"

"Idon\'tcarewhatheis，"Dryfoosbrokeout，"Iwon\'thavehimround。

Hecan\'thaveanymoreworkfromthisoffice。Iwantyoutostopit。

Iwantyoutoturnhimoff。"

Marchwasstandingathisdesk，ashehadrisentoreceiveDryfooswhenheentered。Henowsatdown，andbegantoopenhisletters。

"Doyouhear?"theoldmanroaredathim。"Iwantyoutoturnhimoff。"

"Excuseme，Mr。Dryfoos，"saidMarch，succeedinginanefforttospeakcalmly，"Idon\'tknowyou，insuchamatterasthis。Myarrangementsaseditorof\'EveryOtherWeek\'weremadewithMr。Fulkerson。Ihavealwayslistenedtoanysuggestionhehashadtomake。"

"Idon\'tcareforMr。Fulkerson?Hehasnothingtodowithit，"retortedDryfoos；butheseemedalittledauntedbyMarch\'sposition。

"HehaseverythingtodowithitasfarasIamconcerned，"Marchanswered，withasteadinessthathedidnotfeel。"Iknowthatyouaretheowneroftheperiodical，butIcan\'treceiveanysuggestionfromyou，forthereasonthatIhavegiven。NobodybutMr。Fulkersonhasanyrighttotalkwithmeaboutitsmanagement。"

Dryfoosglaredathimforamoment，anddemanded，threateningly:"Thenyousayyouwon\'tturnthatoldloaferoff?YousaythatIhavegottokeeponpayingmymoneyouttobuybeerforamanthatwouldcutmythroatifhegotthechance?"

"Isaynothingatall，Mr。Dryfoos，"Marchanswered。Thebloodcameintohisface，andheadded:"ButIwillsaythatifyouspeakagainofMr。

Lindauinthoseterms，oneofusmustleavethisroom。Iwillnothearyou。"

Dryfooslookedathimwithastonishment；thenhestruckhishatdownonhishead，andstampedoutoftheroomanddownthestairs；andavaguepitycameintoMarch\'sheartthatwasnotaltogetherforhimself。

Hemightbethegreatersuffererintheend，buthewassorrytohavegotthebetterofthatoldmanforthemoment；andhefeltashamedoftheangerintowhichDryfoos\'sangerhadsurprisedhim。HeknewhecouldnotsaytoomuchindefenceofLindau\'sgenerosityandunselfishness，andhehadnotattemptedtodefendhimasapoliticaleconomist。HecouldnothavetakenanygroundinrelationtoDryfoosbutthatwhichheheld，andhefeltsatisfiedthathewasrightinrefusingtoreceiveinstructionsorcommandsfromhim。Yetsomehowhewasnotsatisfiedwiththewholeaffair，andnotmerelybecausehispresenttriumphthreatenedhisfinaladvantage，butbecausehefeltthatinhisheathehadhardlydonejusticetoDryfoos\'srightsinthematter；itdidnotquiteconsolehimtoreflectthatDryfooshadhimselfmadeitimpossible。Hewastemptedtogohomeandtellhiswifewhathadhappened，andbeginhispreparationsforthefutureatonce。Butheresistedthisweaknessandkeptmechanicallyabouthiswork，openingthelettersandthemanuscriptsbeforehimwiththatcuriousdoubleactionofthemindcommoninmenofvividimaginations。ItwasareliefwhenConradDryfoos，havingapparentlywaitedtomakesurethathisfatherwouldnotreturn，cameupfromthecounting-roomandlookedinonMarchwithatroubledface。

"Mr。March，"hebegan，"Ihopefatherhasn\'tbeensayinganythingtoyouthatyoucan\'toverlook。Iknowhewasverymuchexcited，andwhenheisexcitedheisapttosaythingsthatheissorryfor。"

TheapologeticattitudetakenforDryfoos，sodifferentfromanyattitudetheperemptoryoldmanwouldhaveconceivablytakenforhimself，madeMarchsmile。"Ohno。Ifancythebootisontheotherleg。IsuspectI\'vesaidsomethingsyourfathercan\'toverlook，Conrad。"HecalledtheyoungmanbyhisChristiannamepartlytodistinguishhimfromhisfather，partlyfromtheinfectionofFulkerson\'shabit，andpartlyfromakindnessforhimthatseemednaturallytoexpressitselfinthatway。