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