第4章

Twentyothermenwouldwillinglyhavebrokenanarmforsuchareward；

andtherecklessnessdisplayedduringthenextfewdayswassomethingawful。Butshesawthattoo，——littleescapedthosebigblueeyes，——

and，ascribingittodrink，gaveaprettystronglectureonthebibuloushabitsofBigStoneHole，athernextconcert。

TherewasanearnestmeetingintheAmericanBarthatnight，atwhichthefollowingmotionwasputandcarriedunanimously："Onandafterthisdate，anydrunkenmanisliabletobeshotatsight，unlesshisfriendscanprovethathehasdugoverthreecaratsofdiamondsduringtheday。"Andthen，likeotherreformers，theywentontomoresweepingmeasures："Onlyknife-fightingtotakeplaceinthecamp。Alldisputeswithpistols，unlessofaverypressingnature，tobesettledoutofearshotofDan’shouse。"Therewereevensomehintsofappointingaclosing-timeforthesaloon——"itwouldmaketheplacesomuchmorelikehome。"Butthepromotereventuallywithdrewhissuggestion，asitwasjustlyfeltthatsuchamotionwouldinterferewiththelibertyofthesubjecttoomuch。Butastormofcheersburstforthwhenitwasproposedtotransferthediamond-safefromWerstein’skeepingtoacornerofthenewgoddess’sshrine。

EvenSatan，thecat，joinedinthegeneraladoration，and，morefavouredthantherest，enjoyedattimesachastesalutefromMissMusgrave’sripe-redlips。

Never，insoshortaspaceoftime，hadacommunitybeenmorechangedforthebetterthanwasthatofBigStoneHole。Neverhadwoman’shumanisinginfluencemadeitselfmoreclearlyfelt。Theazurecloudofblasphemythathungovertheworkingsandtherestofthecampwasreplacedagainbythenormaldust。Eachmantriedtobeautifytheinsideofhisshantytothebestofhismeansandideas，fortherewasnoknowingwhentheonly"she"wouldtakeitintoherpretty，capriciousheadtopayacall。InthislatterlinetheScholarhadadecidedpull。Educationhadtaughthimtaste；necessity，handiness；

andbyaidofthetwohetransformedhisrudedwellingintosomethingapproachingtheroomsinwhichheusedtodawdleawaythehappyhours，timeago。Itwaspartlydrawing-room，partlycuriosity-shop。Cups，saucers，andspoonsappearedasifbymagicians’call，andoneblazingafternoonthenewsflashedroundthediamond-pitsthatMissMusgravewas"takingafternoonteawiththeScholar。"ButwhentheScholarsawthedismayhissimpleacthadspreadaroundhim，hedissipateditwithakindlylaughandafewreassuringwords。

"Don’tmindme，boys。Iwasonlydoingthecivilinapurelyplatonicmanner。MissMusgraveisnothingtome，noramIanythingtoher。

Heavenforbid！I’mtoohardabargainforanygirl。IfanyoneofyoumarriesherI’llactashisbestmanifheasksmeto，andwishhimeveryfelicitywithoutathoughtofregret。"

"BullyfortheScholar！"yelledthedelightedcrowd；andMissMusgrave’ssmilesweremoresoughtafterthanever。

Sothingswentondayafterday，weekafterweek，tillMissMusgravebecamelittleshortofanautocraticempress。Butstillsheshowednosignsoftakinguntoherselfaconsort；shekeptallmenatacousinlydistance，andthosewhofeltintimateenoughtoaddressheras"MissMary"accountedthemselvesuncommonlyfortunate。Thusthelittlemachineofstateworkedperfectlyharmoniously，andBigStoneHolewasassteadyandprosperousasettlementasneedbe。

Hadthesediggersrefreshedtheirmindsbylookingbackforhistoricalparallels，theymighthavebeenpreparedinsomedegreeforMissMusgrave’sexitfromamongthem，butasnoneofthemindulgedinsuchretrospectionsthemannerofittookthecampsomewhatbysurprise。

Itwasfirstdiscoveredinthiswise。Workwasoverfortheday。TheKaffirshadbeensearchedandhadreturnedtotheirkraal。Pipeswerebeinglitaftertheeveningmeal，andapicturesqueassemblywasgroupingitselfinanexpectantsemicircleonthesun-bakedturfinfrontofMissMusgrave’sdwelling。Shewasusuallyoutsidetowelcomethefirstcomers，andherabsencenaturallyformedthestapletopicofconversation。Diggerafterdiggerarrived，threwhimselfdown，andjoinedinthegeneralwondermentastowhyMissMarywasn’tthere，andatlastsomeonehazardedasuggestionthatshe"mustbeasleep。"

Therewasageneralepidemicofnoisycoughingforafullminute，andthensilenceforanother，butnosoundfromwithinthehut。

"Perhapsshe’sill，"wasthenextsurmise。

Aftertheetiquettetobefollowedhadbeenstrictlydiscussed，andarigidcourseofproceduresetdown，theScholargotupandknockedatthedoor。Hereceivednoanswer，andsoknockedagain——knockedseveraltimes，infact，andthenrattledthehandlevigorously，butwithoutresult。

"Betteropenit，"saidavoice。

Andhedidso；andafterlookinginside，announced：

"She’snotthere。"

AtthismomentDancameup。

"Myolemar’’sgone，"hesaid；"an’sheain’tstampeded，neither，butwasstole。Tote-rope’sbeenuntied，an’saddlean’bridletookaswell。"

Therewasuncomfortablesilence，whichtheScholarbrokebyalow，long-drawnwhistle。

"Boys，"saidhe，"let’slookinsidethesafe。"

Thethreemenwhoheldthekeysbroughtthemup，theboltswereshot，andthemassivedoorswungback。Therewaseveryman’slittlesackwithhisnameonit；butsomehoworotherthesackslookedlimperthanofyore。Eachonewaseagerlyclutchedandexamined，andmanyagroanandnotafewcurseswentuponthestillnightairasitwasfoundthateverysacksaveDan’shadbeenrelievedofthemorevaluablepartofitscontents。

Somuchheart-breakinglabourundertheburningsunthrownawayfornothing；thedrearyworktocommenceafresh，almostfromthebeginning！Hadthethiefbeenanyordinaryone，thedenunciationwouldhavebeenunbounded；butnooneliftedhistongueveryloudlyagainstMaryMusgrave。Yetmountedmenweredespatchedonthethreetrailstobringbackthebootyifpossible，andtherestmoveddejectedlytowardtheiroldclub。ThegreasyJewdidnotattempttoconcealhisexultation。Heservedhiscustomerswithhiswickedoldfaceglowingwithsmiles，andwhenamoment’sbreathing-timecameheobserved：

"Weall’azhourlettlesurbrizesindiswairld，an’ImostconfaissI

amasdonishedmyselftolairnthatMessMosgraveisathief——"ButhereacrashingamongtheglasswareannouncedthatTommyDartmoorhadbegunshootingwithhislefthand，andHerrGustavesputteredoutfrombehindthefingersheheldbeforehisface，"AchGott！Isaynozzingmore！"

GREGORIO

BY

PERCYHEMINGWAY

I

ATTHEPARADISO

TheCafeParadisowasfullofpeople，fortheinhabitantsofAlexandriahaddined，andtheoperaseasonwasover。Theseatsateverytablewereoccupied，andthefumesofsmokefromahundredcigarspartlyhidtheladiesoftheorchestra。Asthewaiterspushedasidetheswing-doorsofthebuffetandstaggeredintothesalonwithwhisky，absinthe，andcoffee，theclickofbilliard-ballswasheard。

Thewindowsfacingtheseawerewideopen，fortheheatwasintense，andthemurmurofthewavesmingledwiththeplaintivevoicesoftheviolins。

Seatedbyatableatthefarendofthehall，GregorioLivadashummedsoftlyanaccompanimenttoSuppe’s"PoeteetPaysan，"puffingfromtimetotimeacloudletofbluesmokefromhismouth。Whenthemusicceasedhejoinedintheapplause，leaningbackhappilyinhischairasthemusicianspreparedtorepeatthelastmovement。Meanwhilehiseyeswanderedidlyoverthefacesofhisneighbors。

Whenthelastchordwasstruckhesawthewomenhurrydownfromtheplatformandrushtowardthetableswheretheiracquaintancessat。Heheardthemdemandbeerandcoffee，andtheydrankeagerly，forfiddlinginthatheatwasthirstywork。Hewatchedthewearywaitershasteningfromtabletotable，andheheardthevoicesaroundhimgrowmoreanimatedandthelaughtermorefrequent。Onemanwasfasteningasprayofflowersontheamplebosomoftheflautiste，whileanothersippedthebrownlagerfromtheglassofthebigdrum，andtheoldwifeoftheconductorlefthertriangleandcymbalstobegsomerosesfromanArabflower-girl。Trulytheworldwasenjoyingitself，andGregoriosmileddreamily，forthesightofsomuchgaietypleasedhim。

Hewishedoneofthewomenwouldcomeandtalktohim；hewouldhavelikedtochatwiththefair-hairedgirlwhoplayedthefirstviolinsowell。HebegantowonderwhyshepreferredthatuglyEnglishmanwithhisredfaceandbaldhead。Hecaughtsnatchesoftheirconversation。

Bah！howuninterestingitwas！fortheycouldbarelyunderstandeachother。WhatpleasuredidshefindinlisteningtohisbadFrench？andinhernativeHungarianhecouldnotevensay，"Ilove。"Whyhadshenotcometohim，GregorioLivadas，whocouldtalktoherwellandwouldnotmumblelikeanidiotandlookredanduncomfortable！Thenhesawshewasdrinkingchampagne，andhesighed。Ah，yes，theseEnglishwererich，andwomenonlycaredformoney；theywereunabletogiveuptheirluxuriesforthesakeofaman。

ButatthisthoughtGregorioblushedalittle。Afterall，therewasonewoman——theonlywomanheoughttothinkof——whowasnotafraidofhardshipforthesakeofherhusband。Hetriedtoexcusehimselfbyarguingthatthemusichadexcitedhim；buthefeltalittleashamed，andasasoptohisnotyetquitemurderedconsciencegotupandleftthecafe。

WhenheturnedintothePlaceMehemetAliherememberedsuddenlythathehadwastedhisevening。Itwasteno’clock，toolatetosetaboutthebusinesshehadintended。Hewasangrywithhimselfnowaswellasashamed。Hewanderedupanddownthesquare，lookingatthestatueofthegreatkhedive，silhouettedagainstthemoonlight，andcursedathismisfortunes。

Whyshouldhe，GregorioLivadas，beinneedofmoney？Hehadworkedhard，butwithoutsuccess。Hecouldhavebornehisillluckhadhealonebeenthesufferer，buthemustconsiderhischild——and，ofcourse，hiswifetoo。Hewasreallyfondofhiswifeinaway。Buthesmiledproudlyashethoughtofhisson，forwhomheschemedoutagreatfuture。HeandXantippewouldtraintheboysocarefullythathewouldgrowuptobeagreatman，and，whatwasmore，arichman。Howtheywouldlaugh，allthree，astheysatinthesplendidcafesovertheirwine，atthehardshipsthefatherhadendured！Stillhemustnotforgetthepresent，andhesorelyneededmoney。HewouldgotoAmosagain。Amoswasarichman，veryrich，andafilthyJew。Amoscouldeasilysparehimsomemoneyandrenewthelastloan。Hewasgoingtobesuccessfulnowandwouldbeabletopaygoodinterest。WhatbetterinvestmentcouldAmoshave？Surelynone。HewasgoingtosetupacafewiththemoneyatTanta，orZagazig，orevenBenhur，——yes，Benhurwasthebest，——wheretherewerefewcompetitors。Thenhewouldmakeafortune，asotherGreekshaddone，andAmoswouldbepaidinfull。Hewasnotextravagant，no；hehadthebusinessinstinctsofhisrace。

HalftheserichmerchantsofAlexandriahadbegunashewouldbegin；

hewouldsucceedastheyhadsucceeded。Thefuturewasreallyhopeful，ifhecouldonlyborrowalittlecapital。

WiththesethoughtssurgingthroughhisbrainGregoriopacedupanddownthepavements。AtlastheturnedintotheRuedesSoeursandstartedslowlytowardhishome。

Thisstreet，thesinkofAlexandria，wasatitsgayest。Thecafeswherecheapliquorissoldwerecrowded。Soldiersandsailors，nativesandtheriffraffofhalfadozennations，jostledoneanother。Thetwangingofguitarsandthetinklingofpianoswasheardfromeveryhouse。Women，underclothedandoverpainted，leanedfromtheupperwindowsandmadefrequentsalliesintothestreettocapturetheirprey。LoudvoicessanglustyEnglishchorusesandFrenchchansonnettes，andNeapolitansongstriedtoassertthemselveswhenevertheuproarceasedforamoment。Everyonetalkedhis，orher，owntongue，andgesturefilledinthegapswhenwordswerewanting。

Allseemeddeterminedtodegradethemselvesasmuchaspossible，andnearlyeveryoneseemedsupremelyhappy。

Occasionallytherewasafight，andkniveswereusedwithunerringskill；butthemountedpolicewhopatrolledthestreets，thoughovertaxed，managedtopreserveacertainamountoforder。

Gregoriotookverylittlenoticeofthescenesthroughwhichhepassed。Hekneweveryinchandcornerofthequarterthathadbeenhishomeforyears，andwasfamiliarwithmostofitsinhabitants。Hesighedalittleashethoughtofthemoneybeinglostandwoninthestuffyill-lightedroomsatthebackofthehouses，shutoutfromviewoftheauthorities。Likemostofhisrace，hewasfondoftheexcitementofgambling。Butofwhatusewereregretsandsighs？hehadnomoney，andmustneedsgohome。Itwasvaintotryandborrowortoaskcreditforhislosses；inthesegamblinghellswhatislostmustbeimmediatelypaid，fortempersareinflamedbydrinkandknivesarewornateachplayer’sbelt。

Buthesighed，nonetheless，atthehardnecessitythatcompelledhimtopassdownthestreetwithoutonceenteringthedoorsofatavern。

Itwasveryhot，andhehadsmokedmanycigarettes。Hewouldhavebeengladtocallforadrink。Thetavern-keepers，thoughtheywerehisfriends，expectedtobepaid。Oneortwowomenbeckonedtohim，whowouldhavewillinglyofferedhimwine，buthewasproudenoughtoignorethem。

Hebecamemoremoodyanddejectedashewentalong，silentandsoberamidsomuchrevelry。Whenhereachedhishousehesawadrunkenmanlyingonthethresholdasleep。HestoopedtolookintohisfaceandrecognisedanEnglishman，theforemanofsometrampintheharbour。Hekickedtherecumbentformtestilyashestrodeoverit。

"TheseEnglish，whatbeaststheyare！"hegrowled，"andI——Ihavenotapiastreforasingleglassofwine。"

II

CONCERNINGADEBT

Gregoriofound，onenteringhishouse，thathiswifewasalreadyinbed。Hewentintothetinykitchenandsawaplateofmacaronireadyforhissupper。Hetriedtoeatsome，butitstuckinhisthroat。HetookabottleofcheapCretanwinefromashelfanddrankfromit；butthewinewassour，andhespatitfromhismouthwithacurse。

Takingupthelamp，hewentintothebedroom。Hiswifewasfastasleepwiththeboyinherarms。ForamomentasmileflickeredroundGregorio’smouthashelookedatthem。Thenhetookoffhisbootsandhiscoat，blewoutthelamp，andlaybesidethem。Hewasverytiredafterhislongtrampinthehotstreets，buthecouldnotsleep。

Angrilyhetossedfromsidetosideandclosedhiseyestightly；butitwasnogood，sleepwouldnotcome。

Atmidnightheheardacalltoprayerchantedfromtheminaretofatinymosqueintheneighbourhood。Themuezzin’svoiceirritatedhim。

Hedidnotwishtopray，andhedidwanttosleep。HesworethatitwasinsanityforthesefoolsofMohammedanstodeclarethatprayerwasbetterthansleep。

Thenthethoughtsthathadagitatedhimduringthewalkreturnedtohim。TheRuedesSoeurswasstillnoisywithmerry-makers，anditseemedtohimthatifhecouldonlyjointhemhewouldbehappy。Buthehadnomoney，andonecandonothingwithoutmoney！

ThentherecamebacktohimthefaceoftheEnglishmanhehadseentalkingtotheviolinistoftheParadiso。Hehatedthemanbecausehewasuglyandrich。TheseEnglishwereallrich，andyettheyseemedtohimamiserablerace，mereignorantbullies。HerememberedhowoftenhehadcometothehelpoftheEnglishtravellerswhofilledEgypt。

Whyhadhe，heaskedhimself，forthesakeofamiserablereward，preventedthembeingcheated，whenhe，withallhistalents，wascondemnedtostarve？Evenhischild，hethought，wouldgrowtohatehimifheremainedpoor。Hemustgetmoney。Amoswouldhavetolendhimsome。TheJewswereunpopularamongtheGreeks；itwerewisetokeepongoodtermswiththem，asAmoswouldfindout。

Atlasthefellasleep。

Inthemorninghistroublesbeganagain。Therewasnocoffee，andonlyalittleArabbread，andwhenthatwasdonetheymuststarveiftheycouldnotgetsomemoney。Gregoriotoreoffabitofbreadandateitslowly，lookingathiswife，whosatweepingbesidehim。

"IshallgotoAmos，"hesaid，firmly。

"Ah，yes，toAmos，"Xantippeansweredquietly；"butitwillbenogood。"

"Whynogood？"

"Becauseyouowehimmoney，andhewillgiveyounomoretillheispaid。"

"Butwecannotpayhim。Hemustletushavesome。Ifnot——"andGregorioraisedthreatening。

Hiswifesmiledsadlyandkissedhim。

"YouwillnotfrightenAmos，mylove。WhenItoldhimthechildhadbeenill，heonlylaughed。"

"Whenwasthat？"

"Yesterday。"

"Thenhehadbeenhere？"

"Hecamelastnighttoaskforhismoney。Itoldhimwehadnone，andhelaughedandsaidwemustgetsome。HetoldmeImightgetsomeifI

caredto。HesaidIcouldmake，oh，somuch！"

Gregorioscowledsavagely。"ThefilthyJew！hesaidthat？Never，never，never！"

"Butwemustgetsomemoney，"thewomansobbed，"ifonlyforourson’ssake，Gregorio。Butnotthatway？"

"No，notthatway，"hereplied，savagely。

"Whenshallyougotohim？"

"Now。"

Andtakinguphishatherushedintothestreet。Hewasterriblyangry，notsomuchatthepurportoftheJew’sspeechasatthemanwhomadeit。HeloathedtheJews，andfeltinsultedwhenspokentobyone；itwasaterriblemattertoaskthismanforhelp，butitwasintolerablethathiswifeshouldsufferinsult。Andyetthechildmustbefed。Yes，shehadsaidthat，anditwastrue。Theymustmakesacrificesforthechild。

HesoonreachedtheJew’shouse，andwasshownbyarichlycladservantintotheroomwhereAmossat。Amoswasanoldman，tallandstrong，withalongbushybeard，inwhichhisfingerscontinuallyplayed；andhiseyesweresharpandbrilliantandrestless，astrangecontrasttohisstatelybearingandmeasuredmovements。HerosefromhiscushionsasGregorioentered，andsalutedhimcourteously，motioninghimtoaseat。Then，havingresettledhimself，heclappedhishandstogethersmartlyandorderedtheservantwhoansweredthesummonstobringincoffeeandpipes。

Gregoriowasratheroverawedattheluxuryhesawaroundhim，andhefeltthestern-looking，politeoldmanwouldbeadifficultpersontodealwith。Ashepuffedathistubeheconsideredcarefullywhatwordsheshoulduse。

Forsometimeneitherspoke，butAmoswasthefirsttobreakthesilence。

"YouheardIwasatyourhouselastnight，andsohavecometopayme？"

"Yes，Iheardyouwereatmyhouseandthatyouwantedtobepaid。Youarearichman，andIampoor。"

"Nay，Iamnotrich；theyliewhosayIamrich。"

"ItistwentypoundsIoweyou，isitnot？"

"Yes，twentypounds。Itisalargesum，andIhavedealtgenerouslywithyou。Iamnowinneedofitmyself。"

"Iamapoorman。"

"Youhavenotthemoney，eh，myfriend？"

"Ihavenotthemoney。ButIwillpayyouifyouwilllendmesomemore。Ishallbesuccessfulnow；onlytwentypoundsmore。"

AmosappearedunmovedatthetremorinGregorio’svoice。Hiseyesrestedcoldlyonthefaceofhisclient，whiletheunfortunateGreekcontinuedtospeakrapidlyofhistroublesandhopes。HesmiledsarcasticallyasGregoriospokeofthecertaintyofmakinghisfortuneatBenhur，andremainedquiteunmovedatthestoryofthesufferingsofawomanandchildfromhungerandwant。

"Yourwifeisbeautiful，"wasallheansweredwhenGregoriopausedforamoment。Atthesewords，however，hehalfrosefromhisplaceandclinchedhishandssavagely。Buthesankbackagainwiththeremembrancethatashowoftemperwouldnotadvancehiscause。

"Verybeautiful，"heanswered，chokingly；"wouldyouseeherstarve？"

"Sheisnotmywife，"saidAmos，quietly。Thenhecontinuedslowly，pausingatintervalstopuffoutacloudofsmokefromhismouth：

"Youhaveowedmethismoneyalongtime。Iwantit，andIwillhaveit。EveninEgyptthereislaw。YoudonotlikeusJews，butthelawwillprotectmeaslongasIamrichenoughtobuyjustice。Inthreedaysyouwillpaymethismoney。Ihavebeengeneroustoyou；nowI

willbegenerousnolonger。IfIamnotpaidIwilltakemeasurestorecovermyloss。YouwillsleepinthestreetsliketheArabs，myfriend；buttheweatheriswarm。Itisearlysummer，soyouwillscarcelyfeeltheexposure。Inthreedaysyouwillcomeandpayme。"

"ButhowamItogetthemoney？IfyouwouldlendmeonlyafewpoundsIwouldrepayyouallIowe。"

"Alreadyyouowememorethanyoucanpay。Youcanmakemoney。Youaremarried。TheseChristianwomenareworsethantheArabs；doInotseethemasIcomehomeintheeveningfrommybusiness？Itisnotrighttoborrowandnotrepay。Ineedmymoney。HowcanIhavemycoffeeandmypipeunlessIhavemoney？"

Gregoriolistenedwithgrowinganger，andfinallyrosefromhisseatandshookhisfistintheoldman’sface。

"Youshallbepaid，"heshouted，"youshallbepaid！"

"Angerisuseless，myfriend。"

AndasGregorioleftthehouseAmossmiledandstrokedhisbeard。

"Truly，"hethought，"theseChristianshateus，butwehavetheminourpower。Itispleasanttobehatedandyettoknowthatitistoustheymustcringewhentheyareinneed；anditisverypleasanttorefuse。MyfriendGregorioisnothappynowthatheisstrugglinginmygrasp。"

AsforGregorio，hewanderedawaytowardtheharbour，kickingsavagelyattherefusescatteredalongthepavement。Hedidnotknowhowtosetaboutearningtherequisitesum。Itwasnogoodapplyingtothehotelsortouristagencies，fortherewerefewvisitorsinthecityanddragomenwerethereforenotneeded。

Hisfriendsweretoopoortohelphim，andtheconsulwasunabletodomuchforhim，thereweresomanypoorGreekswhowantedhelp。

Meanwhiletherewasnofoodathomeandnodrink；eventhenecessariesoflifewerelacking。

Onarrivingathishomehefoundhiswifeandchildhuddledinacornercryingforfood。Theyrantowardhimasheentered，butthehopeintheirfacesquicklyfadedatthesightofhim。

"It’snogood，"Gregoriogrowled；"AmosrefusestoadvanceapiastreandsaysImustpayallIoweinthreedays。"

"Itisimpossibletosleepwhenoneishungry，"saidGregoriothatnighttohiswife，wholayawake，weeping，besidehim。

III

OFFAILUREANDARESOLVE

Gregorio’sdreams，whenhedidsleep，werenoneofthepleasantest，andwhenhewokeup，fromtimetotime，heheardhiswifeweeping。Inwonderingwhatheshouldsaytocomfortherhefellasleepagain，andsleepingwasworsethanlyingawake。ForinhisdreamshesawXantippeandhischildstarvingandcryingforfood，andhewasunabletohelptheminanyway。HelivedoveragainthelongdayhehadspenttrampingthestreetsofAlexandriasearchingforwork。Hesawthefewtouristsstillleftinthetownfatandhappy；hesawtheportersofthehotelswhohadsmiledonhimpityinglyandyetcontemptuously；andhewoke，aftereachrepresentationofthecrudecomedy，hotandyetcoldwithperspiration，tofeelthebedonwhichhelayshakingunderthesobsofhiswife。

WhenatlastdaydawnedGregorioraisedhimselfwithanoath，andsworetofindfoodforhisfamilyandworkforhimself。TheterribledebtheowedtoAmoshesworeshouldnottroublehim，laughingathiswife’sremonstrances。Withthebrightdaylighthadcomeanewcourage，and，hungryashewas，hefeltablenotonlytosatisfytheirhunger，butsoskilfullytoarrangemattersthattheywouldneverfeelhungryagain。Yetiswasaterribleordeal，thathalf-hourwhenthefamilyshouldhavesatdowntoatableladenwithfood。Thepoorwifecried，andhehadtocomforthertearswithpromises，unsubstantialnutrimentindeed，andtheycouldnotsatisfythechild，whofaileddismallytounderstandthem。Throughthegreenblindscamethenoiseoflifeandhealthandmerriment；cursestoo，sometimes，butonlythecursesofthewellfed，andthereforemeaningless。Alreadythesunfellhotandindomitableontheroom，andtheatmosphereattheirtouchbecamestifling。Gregorio，swallowinghistears，toreoutintothestreet，shoutingupthenarrowstairwayhystericalwordsofhope。

Howlongandshadowlessthestreetseemed！Everyhousehaditsgreenblindscloselyshut；thewindthatstirredthedustofthepavementswashotandbiting。Gregorioclinchedhishandsandstroderapidlyonward。Whatmatteredittohimthatbehindthosegreenblindswomenandmenslumberedincomparativecomfort？Hehadaworktodo，andbysunsetmustcarrygoodtidingstohislittleworld。Foratimehisheartwasbraveasthedrywindscorchedthetearuponhischeek。

"Surely，"hethought，weavinghisthoughtsintoafinemarchingrhythm，"thegreatGodwillhelpmenow，willhelpmenow。"

Atmidday，afterhehadtried，withthatstrangeGreekpertinacitythatunderstandsnorefusals，allthehotelsandtouristagencieshehadcalledatthedaybefore，hebecamewearyanddisconsolate。Themarchhadbecomeadirge；nolongeritsuggestedhappinesstobe，butfailure。AnEnglishmanthrewhimapiastre，andheturnedintoacafe。

Callingforaglassofwine，heflunghimselfdownonthewoodenbenchandtriedtothink。Butreallylogicalthinkingwasimpossible。Forinspiteofthesorrowathisheart，thesamebrightdreamsofwealthandhappinesscamebacktomockhim。Thepiastreheplayedwithbecamegold，andhefeltthecafecontainednoluxuriesthathemightnotcommandtobebroughtbeforehim。ButastheeffectsoftheredwineofLebanonevaporatedhebegantotakeasobererthoughstillcheerfulviewofhisposition。ItwasonlywhenthewaitercarriedoffhispiastrethathesuddenlywoketofactandknewhimselfoncemoreamanwithawifeandchildstarvinginAlexandria，analiencityforallitswealthycolonyofGreeks。Awaveofpitysweptoverhim；notsomuchforthewomanwashesorry，thoughhelovedhertoo，butforthebabywhosefuturehehadplanned。Hescowledsavagelyattheinmatesofthecafe，whoonlysmiledquietly，fortheywereusedtopoorGreekswhohaddrunkawaytheirlastcoin，andpushedpastthemintothestreet。

Thereitwashotterthanever，andhemetscarcelyanyone。Everyonewhocouldbewasathome，orinthecoolcafes；onlyGregoriowasabroad。Hedeterminedtomakeforthequay。HeknewthatmanyshipsputintotheAlexandrianwaters，andtherewasoftenemploymentfoundforthosenottooproudtoworkatladingandunloading。Quickly，andburningasthekempsin，hehurriedthroughtheRuedesSoeurs，notdaringtolookupatthehousewhereinhedwelt。Themuffledsoundsofvoicesandguitarsfromthefar-awayinteriorsseemedtomockhisfootstepsashepassedthewine-shops；andalltheotherhousesweresilentandasleep。Atlasthearrivedonthequay，andtheblacklinesoftheP。andO。stoodoutfirmlybeforehimagainstthepitilessblueofseaandsky。Hewanderedoverthehotstonecauseway，butfoundnoone。Therevenueofficerswereaway，andnotalabourer，notasailor，wasvisible。Beyondthebreakwaterlittletuftsofsilveryfoamflashedontherollers，andasolitarysteamersteeredsteadilyforthehorizon。HecouldseetheGreekflagatherstern，andhiseyesfilledwithtears。Ah，howlittlehisfriendsinAthensthoughtofthemanwhohadcometofindfameandfortuneinthefar-offEast！Hesatdownontheparapetandwatchedthevesseluntilshebecameatinyspeckonthehorizon，andthenherecommencedhissearchforwork。Hisheartwasbraverforamomentbecauseofitspangs；hesworehewouldshowthesecountrymenofhiswhodweltathome，andwhointhreedayswouldseetheveryshiphehadbeengazingatarriveinGrecianwaters，thathewasworthyofhiscountryandhiskinsfolk。

Butresolutionswereuseless，tenacityofpurposewasuseless。Fortwolonghourshewanderedbytheharbour，butmetnoone。

Atlastthesunfellbehindthewesternwaves，andthewindowsofthekhedive’spalaceglowedlikeahundredflamingeyes；theflagsfellfromthemastsofthevessels；onthecitysidewasasuddensilence，saveforthemelancholyvoicesofthemuezzins；thenthedaydied；thebrightstars，suddenlypiercingtheheavens，mockedhimwiththeirbrillianceandtoldhimthathisuselesssearchforbreadwasover。

Gregoriowentbackslowlytohishome。AlreadytheRuedesSoeurswascrowded。Thelongstreetrangwithmusicandlaughter，andinsteadofblindscoveringthewindowsmerrywomenleaneduponthesillsandlaughedatthecrowdsbelow。

Gregorio，whenhereachedhishouse，wouldhavelikedtogostraighttobed。Butitwasnottobe，forasheenteredthetinyroomheheardhiswifetryingtopersuadethehungryinfantintosleep，andhisfootstepsdisturbedhertears。Hehadtocalmthemasbesthecould，andashesoothedherhenoticedthechildhadacrustinhishandwhichhegnawedhalfcontentedly。AtthesamemomentthedimbluefigureofanArabpassedbytheoppositewall，andhadalmostgainedthedoorereGregoriofoundwords。

"Whoareyou？"

"ItisAhmed，"hiswifeanswered，gently，placinghertremblinghanduponhisshoulder；"hetoohaschildren。"

Gregorioscowledandmuttered，"AnArab，"andinthatmurmurnoneoftheloathingwashiddenthatthepseudo-WestbearsfortheEast。

"Thechildisstarving，"saidAhmed。"Ihavesavedthechild；maybesomedayIshallsavethefather。"AndAhmedslippedawaybeforeGregoriocouldanswerhim。

Forawhileneitherhenorhiswifespoke；theystoodsilentinthemoonlight。AtlastGregorioaskedhuskily，"Haveyouhadfood？"

"Notto-day，"wastheanswer；andthesweetvoicewasalmostdiscordantinitspathosasitcontinued，"nordrink，andbutforAhmedtheboyhaddied。"

Gregoriocouldnotanswer；therewasalumpinhisthroatthatblockedwords，openingthegateforsobs。Buthechokeddownhisemotionwithaneffortandbusiedhimselfabouttheroom。Xantippesatwatchinghimanxiously，smoothlywithnervousfingersthecoveringofherson’sbed。

Asthenightadvancedtheheatincreased，andallthatdisturbedthesilenceoftheroomwastheechoofthestreets。Gregoriowalkedtothewindowandlookedout。Belowhimhesawthejostlingcrowdofmenandwomen。Thesepeople，hethought，werehappy，andtwomiserablesonlydweltinthecity——hiswifeandhimself。Andwheneverheaskedhimselfwhatwasthecauseofhismisery，theanswerwaseverthesame——poverty。Heglancedathisson，tossinguneasilyinhisbed；helookedathiswife，paleandhaggardinthemoonlight；herememberedhisownsufferingsalldaylonginthehotcruelstreets，andhespokeunsteadily：

"Xantippe？"

"Yes。"

"Ihavethoughtoverthings。"

"AndItoo。"

"Wearestarving，——youarestarving，andIamstarving，——andalldaylongItrampthesecursedstreets，butgainnothing。Soitwillgoon，dayin，dayout。Notonlyweourselves，butoursontoomustdie。Wemustsavehim。"

"Yes，"saidXantippe，quietly，repeatingherhusband’swordsasshekissedtheforeheadofherchild，"wemustsavehim。"

"Thereisonlyoneway。"

"Onlyoneway，"repeatedXantippe，dreamily。Therewasapause，andthen，asthoughthewordshadgrowntohaveameaningtoherthatshecouldnotfathom，shequeried，"Whatway，Gregorio？"

"That，"hesaid，roughly，ashecaughtherbythewrist，and，dragginghertothewindow，pointedtothewomeninthestreetbeneath。

Xantippehidherfaceonherhusband’sbreastandcriedsoftly，whileshemurmured，"No，no；Iwillneverconsent。"

"Thenthechildwilldie，"answeredtheGreek，curtly，flingingherfromhim。

Andthepoorwomancastherselfuponthebedbesideherboy，andwhenhertearsceasedforamomentstammered，"When？"

"To-morrow，"wastheanswer，cruelandperemptory。AndasGregorioclosedthelattice，shuttingoutthenoiseofsongandlaughter，theroomechoedwiththemightysobbingofawomanwhowasbetrayed，andwhorepeatedhysterically，whilekissingthefaceofherchild，"To-morrow，to-morrowtherewillbefoodforyou。"

AndGregoriosleptpeacefully，forthedangerofstarvationwasover；

hewouldyetlivetoseehissonbecomerich。

Andthewoman？

Hekissedherbeforeheslept，andwomenalwayscry。

IV

CONCERNINGTWOWOMEN

Gregoriofeltalittlebitashamedofhimselfnextmorning。Theexcitementhadpassed，andthefullmeaningofhiswordscamebacktohimandmadehimshudder。Thesun，alreadyrisen，sentshaftsoflightbetweenthelipsofthewoodenlattice。Afaintsoundoflifeandmovementstoleupwardfromthestreetbelow。ButXantippeandtheboystillslumbered，thoughthewoman’sformshookconvulsivelyattimes，forshesobbedinhersleep。

Gregoriolookedatthetwoforaminuteandthenraisedhimselfwithanoath。Thewoman’sheavybreathingirritatedhim，for，afterall，heargued，itwasherdutyaswellashistosacrificeherselfforthelad。Moreover，theJewmustbepaid，andto-daywasthatappointedbyAmosforthesettlingoftheiraccount。Therewasnomoneytopayitwith，andtheymustlosetheirfurniture，somuchatleastwascertain。ButAmoswouldnothavethebestofthebargain，thoughttheGreekashelookedroundtheroomwithagrin，andthecertaintythathehadgotthebetterofAmosforthemomentcheeredhisspirits。

Then，too，afterto-daytherewouldbeplentytoeat，forhiswifecouldmanagetoearnmoney；norwasthemansomeaninhisvillainyastoshirkanyefforttoearnmoneyhimself。Afterfirstlookingathiswifecriticallyandwithasatisfiedsmile，hetouchedherontheshouldertowakeher。

"Iamgoingoutforwork，"hesaid，asXantippeopenedhereyes。

"Allright。"

"Good-bye。"

ButXantippeanswerednot。SheturnedherfacetothewallwearilyasGregoriolefther。

EnteringthestreethemadestraightforAmos’shouse，andtoldtheporter，whowasstilllyingonthetrestlebeforethedoor，thathecouldnotpaytheJew’sbill。Thenwithoutwaitingforananswer，hehurriedofftothequay。

Withbetterluckthanonthepreviousday，hemanagedtoobtainemploymentforsomehours。TheGreekmail-boathadarrived，andundertheblazingsunhetoiledgood-humouredlyandpatiently。Theworkwashard，butitgavehimnoopportunityofthinking。Hehadtobecontinuallydodginglargebalesoffruitandwine，andifhemadeamistaketheofficerondutywouldshoutathimangrily，"Lazydog！youwouldnothaveleftGreecewereyounotanidlefellow。"Suchwordswoundedhispride，andhedeterminedtodosowellthatheshouldearnpraise。Butthelittleofficer，hisbrightbuttonsflashinginthesunlight，whosmokedquietlyintheintervalsofsilence，neverpraisedanybody；butheleftoffabusingGregorioatlast，andwhenworkceasedforthedaybadehimcomeagainonthemorrow。

AtsunsetGregoriopocketedhisfewhard-earnedpiastresandwanderedcityward。Hedidnotcaretogobacktohishome，forheknewtherewouldbemiserablestoriestotelloftheJew’sanger，and，moreover，hewasterriblythirsty。Sohewentintoalittlecafe——knownasthePenny-farthingShop——oppositehishouseandcalledforaflaskofkephisa。Ashesippedthewineheglancedupnervouslyathiswindowandwonderedwhetherhiswifehadalreadylefthome。Werehesurethatshehad，hewouldleavehiswineuntouchedandhastentolookafterhissonandgivehimfood。ButuntilheknewXantippehadgonehewouldnotmove。Thesobsofyesterdaystilldisturbedhim，andhewasmorethanonceonthepointofcancellinghisresolves。Butasthewinestirredhisbloodhebecamesatisfiedwithwhathehaddoneandsaid。ThelittlecafeatBenhurthatwastomakehisfortuneseemednearlyinhisgrasp。Hadhenot，heaskedhimself，workedalldaywithoutamurmur？ItwasrightXantippeshouldhelphim。

Ashesatdreamilythinkingoverthesethings，andwatchingtheshadowsturntoadarkerpurpleundertheoil-lamps，awomanspoketohim。

"Well，Gregorio，areyouasleep？"

"No，"saidhe，turningtowardhisquestioner。

Thewomanlaughed。Shewasabigwoman，dressedinloosefoldsofredandblue。Herhairwasdishevelled，andornamentedwithbrasspinsfastenedintoitatrandom。Hersleeveswererolleduptoherarmpits，andshehadherarmsakimbo——fat，flabbyarmsthatshookasshelaughed。Hereyeswerealmosthidden，shescrewedthemupsoclosely，butherwidemouthopenedanddisclosedarowofgigantic，flawlessteeth。

Gregoriofrownedashelookedather。Heknewherwellandhadneverlikedher。Buthedarenotquarrelwithher，forheowedhermoney，and"fortheloveofhisblackeyes，"asshetoldhim，shehadeverabottleofwinereadyforhimwhenhewished。

"Well，mygoodwoman，"heblurtedout，surlily，"youseemtobeamused。"

"Iam，Gregorio。Tellme，"shecontinued，slyly，seatingherselfbesidehimandplacingherelbowsonthetable，"howisshe？"

"Who？"

"Xantippe。Shecametometo-day，andIsawshehadbeencrying。ButI

saidnothing，becauseitisnotalwayswisetoaskquestions。I

thoughtsheweptbecauseshewashungryandbecausethebabywashungry。Iofferedherfoodandshetooksome，butsolittle，scarcelyenoughtocoveraten-piastrepiece。’Thatisforthebaby，’Isaid；

’nowsomeforyou。’Butsherefused。"

"Perhapsshehadfoodforherself，"saidGregorio，shiftinguneasilyinhischair。

"Perhaps，"saidthewoman，andlaughedagain，moreloudlythanever，tillthetableshook。"Butsheaskedmeforsomethingelse，"shecontinued，whenhermerrimentlanguishedforwantofbreath；"sheaskedmetoletherhaveanolddressofmine，abrightyellow-and-reddress，andsheborrowedsomeornaments。Itisnotrightofyou，Gregorio，tokeepanoldfriendonthedoor-stepwhenyouhaveafantasia。"

Gregorioscowledsavagely。Afterapausehesaid，"Idon’tknowwhymywifewantedyourdressandornaments。"

"Ohyes，youdo，friendGregorio。"Andshelaughedagain，thistimeasuppressed，chucklinglaughthatthreatenedtochokeher；andshesupportedherchinonherhands，whilehereyespeeredthroughtheenvelopingfatatthemanwhosatoppositetoher。Suddenlyshestoodup，andtakingGregoriobythearmdraggedhimtothedoor。

"See，thereshegoes。Mygarmentsarecleverlyalteredandsuitherfinely，don’tthey？Ah，well，myfriend，amanwhocannotsupportawifeshouldmarryawomanwhocansupporthim。"

Gregoriodidnotstoptoanswerher，butpushedpastherintothestreet。Thewomanwatchedhimenterthehouseopposite，andthenreturnedquietlytoherwork。Buttherewasasmilehoveringroundherlipsasshemurmuredtoherself，"Ah，well，intime。"

Gregoriomeanwhilehadrunuptohisroomandentereditbreathlesswithexcitement。ThefirstglancetoldhimthatAmoshadseizedallhecould，fornothingremainedsaveawoodenbenchandoneortwocoarse，half-disabledcookingutensils。

Gregoriosworealittleasherealisedwhathadhappened。ThenhesawinacornerbythewindowhissonandAhmed。

"Shehasgone，"saidAhmed，asGregorio’sgazerestedonhim。Butshemighthavegonemerelytomarket，ortoseeaneighbour，foralltheimperturbableArabfacedisclosed。Assoonashehadspokenthemanbentoverthechild，laughingsoftlyastheyoungsterplayedwithhisbeard。FortheArab，asheismiscalled，isfondofchildren，andtherearenonetowhomchildrentakesoreadilyastotheEgyptianfellahin。

Gregoriowatchedthetwoforamoment，andthenplacinghisremainingpiastresintheman’shandbadehimbringfoodandwine。Assoonashewasleftalonewithhisson，heflunghimselfdownonthefloorandkissed，"Youshallbeagreatman，ay，arichman，myson。"

Herepeatedthesentenceoverandoveragain，punctuatingitwithkisses，whilethetwo-year-oldregardedhimwonderingly，untilAhmedreturned。

WhenthemealwasendedGregoriotooktheboyinhisarmsandsangtohimsoftlytillatlasttheinfantslept。Thenheplacedhimgentlyonthefloor，havingfirstmadeofhiscoatabed，andwenttothewindowandflungbacktheshutters。Hesmokedquietlyastheminuteswentby，waitingimpatientlyforhiswifetoreturn。Itseemedtohimmonstrousthattheboywhowastoinheritafortuneshouldbesleepingonthedirtyfloorwrappedinanoldcoat；thatanArab，amerefellah，shouldamusehissonandplaywithhim，whenGreeknursesweretobehiredinAlexandriahadoneonlythemoney。Longaftermidnightheheardasteponthestairs，andaminuteafterthedooropened。Herecognisedhiswife’sfootsteps，andherosetomeether。Asshecameintotheroomshelookedquicklyround，andseeinghersonwenttowardhimandkissedhim。Gregorio，halfafraid，stoodbythewindowwatchingher。Sheletherglancerestonhimaminute，thensheturnedroundandlaidhercloakuponthefloor。

"Xantippe！"

Butshedidnotanswer。

"Xantippe，Ihavefedourson。Thegooddaysarecomingwhenweshallberichandhappy。"

ButXantippewastoobusyfoldingoutthecreasesofhercloaktonoticehim。Themoonlightstreamedontoher，andherfaceshonelikeanangel’s。Gregoriomadeonesteptowardher，ravished，forshehadneverappearedsobeautifultohim。Forthemomentheforgotthewholehideoushistoryofthelastfewdaysandthebrief，horribleconversationofthenightbefore。Firedwithadesiretotouchher，tokissher，towhisperintoherear，inthesoftGreekspeech，alltheendearmentsandtendernessesthathadwonherwhenhewooedher，heplacedhishanduponherarm。Asifstungbyavenomoussnake，thewomanrecoiledfromhistouch。Withaquickmovementshesprangbackandflungathisfaceahandfulofgoldandsilvercoins。

"Takethem；they’reyours，"shecried，huskily，andretreatedintothefarthestcorneroftheroom。

WithasavagecurseGregorioputhishandtohislipsandwipedawaytheblood，foraheavycoinhadcuthim。Thenheranswiftlydownstairs，andXantippe，asshelaydownwearilybesideherboy，heardawomanlaugh。

V

XANTIPPELOOKSOUTOFTHEWINDOW

ThePenny-farthingShopwasfullofcustomers，andMadamMarx，thefatwomanwhofollowedGregoriotothebar，wasforalongtimebusyattendingtoherclients。SomeEnglishwar-shipshadenteredtheharbouratsunset，andmanyofthesailorshadlostnotimeinseekingouttheirfavouritehaunt。MostofthemknewMadamMarxwell，asagood-naturedwomanwhogavethemplentytodrinkfortheirmoney，andsecretedthemfromtheeyesofthepolicewhentheliquoroverpoweredthem。Consequentlytherewasmuchlaughterandshakingofhands，andmanyaroughjest，whichMadamMarxrespondedtoinbrokenEnglish。

Gregoriowatchedthesailorsgloomily。HehatedtheEnglish，foreventheirsailorsseemedtohaveplentyofmoney，andherecalledtherichEnglishmanhehadseenattheCafeParadiso，drinkingchampagneandbuyingflowersfortheHungarianwomanwhoplayedthefiddle。Thescenehehadjustleftcontrasteddisagreeablywiththefunandjollitythatsurroundedhim。Buthefeltunabletoshakeoffhisgloomandannoyance，andMadamMarx’sattentionsirritatedhim。Hefeltthathereyescontinuallyrestedonhim，that，howeverbusyshemightbe，hewasneveroutofherthoughts。Everyfewminutesshewouldcometowardhimwithabottleofwineandfilluphisglass，saying，"Come，myfriend；wineisgoodandwilldrownyourtroubles。"Andthoughheresentedherpatronage，knowinghecouldnotpay，heneverthelessdranksteadily。

Everyfewminutesheheardthesoundofhorses’hoofsonthehardroadway，andthroughthewindowshesawthemilitarypolicepassslowlyontheirrounds。

AtlastthestrongdrinkssoamiablyretailedbyMadamMarxdidtheirwork，andthemenlayaboutthefloorasleepandbreathingheavily。

ThesilencesucceedingthenoisestartledGregoriofromhissullenhumour。MadamMarxcameandsatbesidehim，wearyasshewaswithherlonglabours，andtalkedvolubly。Thewinehadmountedtohishead，andheansweredherinrapidsentences，accompanyinghiswordswithgestureandgrimace。Whathetalkedabouthescarcelyknew，butthewomanlaughed，andhetookaninsanedelightinhearingher。Justbeforedaylighthefellasleep，restinghisheadonhisarms，thatwerespreadacrossthetable。MadamMarxkissedhimasheslept，murmuringtoherselfcontentedly，"Ah，well，intime。"

WhenGregoriowokethesunwashighintheheavens，blazingoutofabrazensky。Cloudsofdustsweptpastthedoorfromtimetotime，andcuthisneckandfaceashestoodonthethresholdsmokinglazily。Itwastoolatetogodowntothequay，forhisplacemusthavelongagobeenfilledbyanother。Hewasnotsorry，sincehebynomeansdesiredtotoilagainunderthehotsun；theheavydrinkingofthenighthadmadehimlethargic，andhewassothirstytheheatnearlychokedhim。

Hecalledouttoawater-carrierstaggeringalonginthescantyshadeontheoppositesideofthestreet，andtookeagerlyadraughtofwater。Hetouchedthepigskinwithhishand，anditwashot。Thewaterwaswarmandmadehimsick；hespatitfromhismouthhastily，andhearingalaughbehindhim，turnedroundandsawMadamMarx。

"See，hereissomewine，myfriend；leavethewaterfortheArabs。"

Gregoriogratefullyseizedtheflagonandletthewinetrickledownhisthroat，whileMadamMarx，witharmsakimbo，stoodpatientlybeforehim。

"Imustgonow，"hesaid，ashehandedbackthehalf-emptiedflask。

"Why？"

"BecauseImustgetsomework。"

"Itisnoteasytogetworkinthesummer。"

"Iknow，butImustgetsome。IowemoneytoAmos。"

"Yes，Iknow。Butyourwifeismakingmoneynow。"

Themanscowledather。"Howdoyouknowthat？BeforeGod，Iswearthatsheisnot。"

"Come，come，Gregorio。Youweredrunklastnight，andyourtonguewaggedprettyfreely。It’snotabitofusebeingangrywithme，becauseIonlyknowwhatyou’vetoldme。Besides，I’myourfriend，youknowthat。"

Gregorioflushedangrilyatthewoman’swords，butheknewquitewellitwasnousereplyingtothem，forshewasspeakingonlythetruth。

Buttheknowledgethathehadbetrayedhissecretannoyedhim。Hehadgrownusedtothefactsandcouldlookatthemeasilyenough，buthehadnotreckonedonothersalsolearningthem。

Hedeterminedtogooutandfindwork，oratanyratetotrampthestreetspretendingtolookforsomethingtodo。Thewomanbecameintolerabletohim，andthePenny-farthingShop，reekingwiththeodourofstaletobaccoandspilledliquor，poisonedhim。Hetookuphishatbrusquelyandsteppedintothestreet。

MadamMarx，standingatthedoor，laughedathimasshecalledout，"Good-bye，Gregorio；whenwillyoucomeback？"

Hedidnotanswer，butthesoundofherlaughterfollowedhimupthestreet，andhekickedangrilyatthestonesinhispath。

AtlasthepassedbytheRas-el-Tinbarracks。HelookedcuriouslyattheEnglishsoldiers。Somewereplayingpoloonthehardbrownspacetotheleft，andfromthewindowsofthebuildingmenleanedout，theirshirt-sleevesrolledupandtheirstrongarmsbaredtothesun。

Theysmokedshortclaypipes，andinnumerablelittlebluespiralcloudsmountedskyward。Obviouslytheheatdidnotgreatlyinconveniencethem，fortheylaughedandsanganddrankoceansofbeer。

ThesightofthemannoyedGregorio。Helookedatthepewtermugsshininginthesunlight。Heeyedgreedilythepassageofonefromhandtohand；andwhenoneman，aftertakingalongpull，laughedandhelditupsidedowntoshowhimitwasempty，heburstintoanuncontrollablefitofanger，andshookhisfistimpotentlyatthesoldiers，whochaffedhimgood-naturedly。Ashewentalongbythestables，afriendlylancer，pityinghim，probably，too，wearyingofhisownlonelywatch，calledtohim，andofferedhimadrinkoutofastonebottle。Gregoriodrankagainfeverishly，andhandedthebottlebacktoitsownerwithagrin，andpassedonwithoutaword。Thesoldierwatchedhimcuriously，butsaidnothing。

WhenhereachedthelighthouseGregorioflunghimselfontothepebble-strewnsandandlookedacrossthebay。Thebluewater，calmandunruffledasasheetofglass，spreadbeforehim。Theships——AustrianLloydmail-boats，P。andO。liners，andgrimycoal-hulks——laymotionlessagainstthewhitesideofthejetty。

Thekhedive’syachtwasbrightwithbunting，andinnumerablefishing-

boatsnearthebreakwatermadegratefuloasesintheglarewhereonhiseyesmightrest。Butheheededthemnot。Angrilyheflunglumpsofstoneandsandintothewaveletsathisfeet，andpushedbackhishatthathisfacemightfeelthefullheatofthesun。Thenhelitacigaretteandbegantothink。

Butwhatwasthegoodofthinking？Thethoughtsalwaysformedthemselvesintothesamechainandreachedthesameconclusion；andeverontheglassysurfaceoftheLevantineseaawomanpoisedherselfandlaughedathim。

Whenthesunfellbehindthehorizon，andthebreakwater，afterdashinguponeflashofgold，becameablueblur，Gregoriorosetogo。

AshewalkedbacktowardthePenny-farthingShophefeltangryandunsatisfied。Thewholedaywaswasted。Hehaddonenothingtorelievehiswife，nothingtopayoffAmos。Madammethimatthedoor，aflaskofwineinherhand。AgainsthiswillGregorioenteredhercafeandsmiled，buthissmilewassourandmalevolent。

"Youwantcheering，myfriend，"saidmadam，laughing。

"Ihavefoundnothingtodo，"saidGregorio。

"Ah！Itoldyouitwouldbehard。TherearenotouristsinAlexandrianow。Anditisfoolishofyoutotrampthestreetslookingforworkthatyouwillneverfind，whenyouhaveeverythingyoucanwanthere。"

"Exceptmoney，andthat’severything，"putinGregorio，bluntly。

"Evenmoney，myfriend。Ihaveenoughfortwo。"

MadamMarxhadplayedhertrumpcard，andshewatchedanxiouslytheeffectofherwords。Foramomentthemandidnotspeak，buttrifledwithhiscigarettetobacco，rollingitgentlybetweenhisbrownfingers。Thenhesaid：

"YouknowIamindebtnow，andIwanttopayoffallIowe，andleavehere。"

"Yes，that’strue，butyouwon’tpayoffyourdebtsbytrampingthestreets，andyourlittlecafeatBenhurwillbealongtimebuilding，Ifancy。MeanwhilethereismoneytobemadeatthePenny-farthingShop。"

"Whatareyourterms？"askedGregorio，roughly。

Thewomanlaughed，butdidnotanswer。Thestarswereshining，andthekempsinthathadblownalldaywasdead。Itwascoolsittingoutsidethedoorofthecafeunderthelittleawning，andpleasanttowatchthebluecigarettesmokefloatupwardinthestillair。Gregoriosatforawhilesilent，andthewomancameandstoodbyhim。"Youknowmyterms，"shewhispered，andGregoriosmiled，tookherhand，andkissedher。Atthatmomenttheblindoftheoppositehousewasflungback。

Xantippeleanedoutofthewindowandsawthem。