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