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。