The Turmoil

8/3/2019 The Turmoil

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-turmoil 1/172

TheTurmoil.AnovelbyBoothTarkington1915.

ToLaurel.

Thereisamidlandcityintheheartoffair,opencountry,adirtyandwonderfulcitynestingdingilyinthefogofitsownsmoke.Thestrangermustfeelthedirtbeforehefeelsthewonder,forthedirtwillbeuponhiminstantly.Itwillbeuponhimandwithinhim,sincehemustbreatheit,andhemaycarefornofurtherproofthatwealthisherebetterlovedthancleanliness;butwhetherhecaresornot,thenegligentlytendedstreetsincessantlypresshomethepoint,andsodothefleckedandgrimycitizens.Atabreezehemustsmotherinthewhirlpoolsofdust,andifheshoulddeclineatanytimetoinhalethesmokehehasthemeageralternativeofsuicide.

Thesmokeislikethebadbreathofagiantpantingformoreandmore

riches.Hegetsthemandpantsthefiercer,smellingandswellingprodigiously.Hehasavoice,ahoarsevoice,hotandrapacioustrainedtoonetune:"Wealth!IwillgetWealth!IwillmakeWealth!IwillsellWealthformoreWealth!Myhouseshallbedirty,mygarmentshallbedirty,andIwillfoulmyneighborsothathecannotbeclean--butIwillgetWealth!Thereshallbenocleanthingaboutme:mywifeshallbedirtyandmychildshallbedirty,butIwillgetWealth!"Andyetitisnotwealththatheissogreedyfor:whatthegiantreallywantsishastyriches.Togetthesehesquanderswealthuponthefourwinds,forwealthisinthesmoke.

Notsolongagoasageneration,therewasnopantinggianthere,noheaving,grimycity;therewasbutapleasantbigtownofneighborly

peoplewhohadunderstandingofoneanother,being,onthewhole,muchofthesametype.Itwasaleisurelyandkindlyplace--"homelike,"itwascalled--andwhenthevisitorhadbeentakenthroughtheStateAsylumfortheInsaneandmadetoappreciatetheviewofthecemeteryfromalittlehill,hishost'sdutyasBaedekerwasdone.ThegoodburghersweregiventojoggingcomfortablyaboutinphaetonsorinsurreysforafamilydriveonSunday.Noonewasveryrich;fewwereverypoor;theairwasclean,andtherewastimetolive.

Buttherewasaspiritabroadintheland,anditwasstronghereaselsewhere--aspiritthathadmovedinthedepthsoftheAmericansoilandlaboredthere,sweating,tillitstirredthesurface,rovethemountains,andemerged,tangibleandmonstrous,thegodofallgood

Americanhearts--Bigness.Andthatgodwroughtthepantinggiant.

Inthesoulsoftheburgherstherehadalwaysbeentheprofoundlongingforsize.Yearbyyearthelongingincreaseduntilitbecameanaccumulatedforce:WemustGrow!WemustbeBig!WemustbeBigger!BignessmeansMoney!Andthethingbegantohappen;theirlongingbecameamightyWill.WemustbeBigger!Bigger!Bigger!Getpeoplehere!Coaxthemhere!Bribethem!Swindlethemintocoming,ifyoumust,butgetthem!Shoutthemintocoming!Deafenthemintocoming!Anykindofpeople;allkindsofpeople!Wemust



beBigger!Blow!Boost!Brag!Killthefault-finder!ScreamandbellowtotheMostHigh:Bignessispatriotismandhonor!Bignessisloveandlifeandhappiness!BignessisMoney!WewantBigness!

Theygotit.Fromallthestatesthepeoplecame;thinlyatfirst,andslowly,butfasterandfasterinthickerandthickerswarmsasthequickyearswentby.Whitepeoplecame,andblackpeopleandbrownpeopleandyellowpeople;thenegroescamefromtheSouthbythethousandsandthousands,multiplyingbyotherthousandsandthousandsfasterthantheycoulddie.Fromthefourquartersoftheearththepeoplecame,thebrokenandtheunbroken,thetameandthewild--Germans,Irish,Italians,Hungarians,Scotch,Welsh,English,French,Swiss,Swedes,Norwegians,Greeks,Poles,RussianJews,Dalmatians,Armenians,Rumanians,Servians,Persians,Syrians,Japanese,Chinese,Turks,andeveryhybridthatthesecouldpropagate.AndiftherewerenoEskimosnorPatagonians,whatotherhumanstrainthatearthmightfurnishfailedtoswimandbubbleinthiscrucible?

WithBignesscamethenewmachineryandtherush;thestreetsbegantoroarandrattle,thehousestotremble;thepavementswerewornunderthetreadofhurryingmultitudes.Theold,leisurely,quizzicallookofthefaceswaslostinsomethingharderandwarier;andacockneytypebegantoemergediscernibly--acynicalyoungmongrelbarbaricoffeature,muscularandcunning;dressedingoodfabrics

fashionedapparentlyinimitationofthesketchesdrawnbynewspapercomedians.Thefemaleofhiskindcamewithhim--apalegirl,shoddyandalittlerouged;andtheycommunicatedinanasalargot,mainlyinsolencesandelisions.Nay,thecommonspeechofthepeopleshowedchange:inplaceoftheoldmidlandvernacular,irregularbutclean,andnotunwholesomelydrawling,ajerkydialectofcoinedmetaphorsbegantobeheard,heldtogetherbyGUNNASandGOTTASandmuchfosteredbythepublicjournals.

Thecitypileditselfhighinthecenter,towerontowerforanucleus,andspreaditselfoutovertheplain,mileaftermile;andinitsvitals,likebenevolentbacillicontendingwithmalevolentinthebodyofaman,missionsandrefugesofferedwhatresistancethey

mighttothesaloonsandallthehellsthatcitieshouseandshelter.Temptationandruinwerereadycommoditiesonthemarketforpurchasebytheventuresome;highwaymenwalkedthestreetsatnightandsometimeskilled;snatchingthieveswerebusyeverywhereinthedusk;whilehouse-breakerswereacommonapprehensionandfrequentreality.LifeitselfwassomewhatsaferfromintentionaldestructionthanitwasinmedievalRomeduringafactionwar--thoughtheRomanmurdererwasmoreliketopayforhisdeed--butdeathormutilationbeneaththewheelslayinambushateverycrossing.

Thepoliticiansletthepeoplemakeallthelawstheyliked;itdidnotmattermuch,andthetaxeswentup,whichisgoodforpoliticians.Law-makingwasapastimeofthepeople;nothingpleasedthemmore.

Singularfermentationoftheirhumor,theyevenhadlawsforbiddingdangerousspeed.Moremarvelousstill,theyhadalawforbiddingsmoke!Theyforbadechimneystosmokeandtheyforbadecigarettestosmoke.Theymadelawsforallthingsandforgotthemimmediately;thoughsometimestheywouldrememberafterawhile,andhurrytomakenewlawsthattheoldlawsshouldbeenforced--andthenforgetbothnewandold.WhereverenforcementthreatenedMoneyorVotes--orwhereveritwastoomuchtobother--itbecameajoke.Influencewasthelaw.



Sotheplacegrew.Anditgrewstrong.Straightwaywhenhecame,eachmanfelltothesameworship:

Givemeofthyself,OBigness:Powertogetmorepower!Richestogetmoreriches!GivemeofthysweatthatImaysweatmore!GivemeBignesstogetmoreBignesstomyself,OBigness,forThineisthePowerandtheGlory!AndthereisnoendbutBigness,everandforever!

TheSheridanBuildingwasthebiggestskyscraper;theSheridanTrustCompanywasthebiggestofitskind,andSheridanhimselfhadbeenthebiggestbuilderandbreakerandtrusterandbusterunderthesmoke.Hehadcomefromacountrycross-roads,atthebeginningofthegrowth,andhehadgoneupanddownintheboomsandrelapsesofthatperiod;buteachtimehewentdownhereboundedalittlehigher,untilfinally,afterayearofoverworkandanxiety--thelatternotdecreasedbyachance,remotebutpossible,ofrecuperationfromtheformerinthepenitentiary--hefoundhimselfontop,withsolidsubstanceunderhisfeet;andthereafter"playeditsafe."Buthishungertogetwasunabated,foritwasintheverybonesofhimandgrewfiercer.

Hewasthecityincarnate.Helovedit,callingitGod'scountry,ashecalledthesmokeProsperity,breathingthedingycloudwithrelish.Andwhensootfelluponhiscuffhechuckled;hecouldhavekissedit."It'sgood!It'sgood!"hesaid,andsmackedhislipsingusto."Good,cleansoot;it'sourlife-blood,Godblessit!"Thesmokewasoneofhisgreatenthusiasms;helaughedatacommitteeofplaintivehousewiveswhocalledtobeghisaidagainstit."Smoke'swhatbringsyourhusbands'moneyhomeonSaturdaynight,"hetoldthem,jovially."Smokemayhurtyourlittleshrubberiesinthefrontyardsome,butit'sthecatarrhalclimateandtheadenoidsthatstartsyourchulderncoughing.Smokemakestheclimatebetter.Smokemeansgoodhealth:itmakesthepeoplewashmore.Theyhavetowashsomuchtheywashoffthemicrobes.Yougohomeandaskyourhusbandswhatsmokeputs

intheirpocketsouto'thepay-roll--andyou'llcomearoundnexttimetogetmetoturnoutmoresmokeinsteado'chokin'itoff!"

ItwasNarcissisminhimtolovethecitysowell;hesawhisreflectioninit;and,likeit,hewasgrimy,big,careless,rich,strong,andunquenchablyoptimistic.Fromthedeepestofhisinsideallthewayouthebelieveditwasthefinestcityintheworld."Finest"washisword.Hethoughtofitashiscityashethoughtofhisfamilyashisfamily;andjustasprofoundlybelievedhiscitytobethefinestcityintheworld,sodidhebelievehisfamilytobe--inspiteofhissonBibbs--thefinestfamilyintheworld.Asamatteroffact,heknewnothingworthknowingabouteither.

BibbsSheridanwasamusingsortofboy,poorinhealth,andconsideredthefailure--the"oddone"--ofthefamily.Bornduringthatmostdangerousandanxiousoftheearlyyears,whenthemotherfrettedandthefathertookhischance,hewasanill-nourishedbaby,andgrewmeagerly,onlylengthwise,throughafeeblechildhood.Athischristeninghewascommittedforlifeto"Bibbs"mainlythroughlackofimaginationonhismother'spart,forthoughitwashermaidenname,shehadnostrongaffectionforit;butitwas"herturn"tonamethebaby,and,assheexplainedlater,she"couldn'tthinkofanythingelseshelikedATALL!"Sheofferedthisexplanationone



daywhenthesicklyboywasnineandafteralongfitofbroodinghaddemandedsomereasonforhisname'sbeingBibbs.Herequestedthenwithunwontedvehemencetobeallowedtoexchangenameswithhisolderbrother,RoscoeConklingSheridan,orwiththeoldest,JamesSheridan,Junior,anduponbeingrefusedwentdownintothecellarandremainedtheretherestofthatday.Andthecook,descendingtowarddusk,reportedthathehadvanished;butasearchrevealedthathewasinthecoal-pile,completelycoveredandstillburrowing.Removedbyforceandcarriedupstairs,hemaintainedacrypticdemeanor,refusingtoutterasyllableofexplanation,evenunderthelash.Thisobviousthingwaswhollyamysterytobothparents;themotherwasnonplussed,failedtotraceandconnect;andthefatherregardedhissonasastubbornandmysteriousfool,animpressionnoteffacedastheyearswentby.

Attwenty-two,Bibbswasphysicallynomorethantheouterscaffoldingofaman,waitingforthebuildingtobegininside--along-shanked,long-faced,ricketyyouth,sallowandhollowandhaggard,dark-hairedanddark-eyed,withapeculiarexpressionofcountenance;indeed,atfirstsightofBibbsSheridanastrangermightwellbesolicitous,forheseemeduponthepointoftears.Buttoaslightlylongergaze,notgrief,butmirth,wasrevealedashisemotion;whileamoresearchingscrutinywasproportionatelymorepuzzling--heseemedabouttoburstoutcryingortoburstoutlaughing,oneortheother,inevitably,but

itwasimpossibletodecidewhich.AndBibbsnever,onanyoccassionofhislife,eitherlaughedaloudorwept.

Hewasa"disappointment"tohisfather.Atleastthatwastheparent'sword--aconfirmedandestablishedwordafterhisfirstattempttomakea"businessman"oftheboy.HesentBibbsto"beginatthebottomandlearnfromthegroundup"inthemachine-shopoftheSheridanAutomaticPumpWorks,andattheendofsixmonthsthefamilyphysiciansentBibbstobeginatthebottomandlearnfromthegroundupinasanitarium.

"Youneedn'tworry,mamma,"Sheridantoldhiswife."There'snothin'thematterwithBibbsexcepthehatesworksomuchitmakeshimsick.

Iputhiminthemachine-shop,andIguessIknowwhatI'mdoin'aboutaswellasthenextman.OleDocGurneyalwayswasoneo'themnuttyalarmists.DoeshethinkI'ddoanything'dbebadformyownfleshandblood?Hemakesmetired!"

AnythingexceptperfectlydefinitehealthorperfectlydefinitediseasewasincomprehensibletoSheridan.Hehadagenuineconvictionthatlackofphysicalpersistenceinanytaskinvolvingmoneymustbeduetosomesubtleweaknessofcharacteritself,tosomeprofoundshiftlessnessorslyness.Heunderstoodtyphoidfever,pheumonia,andappendicitis--onehadthem,andeitherdiedorgotoverthemandwentbacktowork--butwhentheword"nervous"appearedinadiagnosishebecamehonestlysuspicious:hehadthefeelingthatthere

wassomethingcontemptibleaboutit,thattherewasaniggerinthewood-pilesomewhere.

"Lookatme,"hesaid."LookatwhatIdidathisage!Why,whenIwastwentyyearsold,wasn'tIupeverymorningatfouro'clockchoppin'wood--yes!andoutinthedarkandthesnow--tobuildafireinacountrygrocerystore?AndhereBibbshastogoandhaveaDOCTORbecausehecan't--Pho!itmakesmetired!Ifhe'dgoneatitlikeamanhewouldn'tbesick."



Hepacedthebedroom--theusualsettingforsuchparentaldiscussions--inhisnightgown,shakinghisbig,grizzledheadandgesticulatingtohisbeddedspouse."MyLord!"hesaid."Ifalittle,teenybito'worklikethisistoomuchforhim,why,heain'tfitforanything!It'snine-tenthsimagination,andtherestofit--well,Iwon'tsayit'sdeliberate,butIWOULDliketoknowjusthowmuchofit'sputon!"

"Bibbsdidn'twantthedoctor,"saidMrs.Sheridan."Itwaswhenhewasheretodinnerthatnight,andnoticedhowhecouldn'teatanything.Honey,youbettercometobed."

"Eat!"hesnorted."Eat!It'sworkthatmakesmeneat!Andit'simaginationthatkeepspeoplefromeatin'.Busymendon'tgettimeforthatkindofimagination;andthere'sanotherthingyou'llnoticeaboutgoodhealth,ifyou'lltakethetroubletolookaroundyouMrs.Sheridan:busymenhaven'tgottimetobesickandtheydon'tGETsick.Youjustthinkitoverandyou'llfindthatninety-ninepercent.ofthesickpeopleyouknowareeitherwomenorloafers.Yes,ma'am!"

"Honey,"shesaidagain,drowsily,"youbettercometobed."

"Lookattheotherboys,"herhusbandbadeher."LookatJimand

Roscoe.LookathowTHEYwork!Thereisn'tashiftlessboneintheirbodies.WorknevermadeJimorRoscoesick.Jimtakeshalftheloadoffmyshouldersalready.Rightnowthereisn'taharder-workin',brighterbusinessmaninthiscitythanJim.I'vepushedhim,buthegivemesomethingtopushAGAINST.Youcan'tpush'nervousdyspepsia'!AndlookatRoscoe;justLOOKatwhatthatboy'sdoneforhimself,andbarelytwenty-sevenyearsold--married,gotafinewife,andreadytobuildforhimselfwithhisownmoney,whenIputuptheNewHouseforyouandEdie."

"Papa,you'llcatchcoldinyourbarefeet,"shemurmured."Youbettercometobed."

"AndI'mjustasproudofEdie,foragirl,"hecontinued,emphatically,"asIamofJimandRoscoeforboys.She'llmakesomemanamightygoodwifewhenthetimecomes.She'stheprettiestandtalentedestgirlintheUnitedStates!Lookatthatpoemshewrotewhenshewasinschoolandtooktheprizewith;it'sthebestpoemIeverreadinmylife,andshe'dnevereventriedtowriteonebefore.It'sthefinestthingIeverread,andR.T.Blosssaidso,too;andIguesshe'sagoodenoughliteraryjudgeforme--turnsoutmoreadvertisin'liter'cherthananymaninthecity.Itellyoushe'ssmart!LookatthewaysheworkedmetogetmetopromisetheNewHouse--andIguessyouhadyourfingerinthat,too,mamma!Thisoldshack'sgoodenoughforme,butyouandlittleEdie'llhavetohaveyourway.I'llgetbehindherandpushherthesameasIwillJim

andRoscoe.ItellyouI'mmightyproudo'themthreechuldern!ButBibbs--"Hepaused,shakinghishead."Honest,mamma,whenItalktomenthatgotALLtheirboysdoin'wellandworththeirsalt,why,IhavetokeepmymindonJimandRoscoeandforgetaboutBibbs."

Mrs.Sheridantossedherheadfretfullyuponthepillow."Youdidthebestyoucould,papa,"shesaid,impatiently,"socometobedandquitreproachin'yourselfforit."

Heglaredatherindignantly."Reproachin'myself!"hesnorted.



"Iain'tdoin'anythingofthekind!Whatinthenameo'goodnesswouldIwanttoreproachmyselffor?Anditwasn'tthe'bestIcould,'either.ItwasthebestANYBODYcould!Iwasgivin'himachancetoshowwhatwasinhimandmakeamanofhimself--andherehegoesandgets'nervousdyspepsia'onme!"

Hewenttotheold-fashionedgas-fixture,turnedoutthelight,andmutteredhiswaymoroselyintobed.

"What?"saidhiswife,crossly,botheredbyasubsequentmumbling.

"Morelikehook-worm,Isaid,"heexplained,speakinglouder."Idon'tknowwhattodowithhim!"

BeginningatthebeginningandlearningfromthegroundupwasalongcourseforBibbsatthesanitarium,withmilkand"zwieback"asthebasisofinstruction;andthemonthsweremanyandtiresomebeforehewasconsiderednearenoughgraduationtogoforawalkleaningonanurseandacane.Theseandsubsequentmonthssawtheplanning,thebuilding,andthecompletionoftheNewHouse;anditwastothatabodeofBignessthatBibbswasbroughtwhenthecane,withoutthenurse,wasfoundsufficienttohissupport.

Edithmethimatthestation."Well,well,Bibbs!"shesaid,ashecameslowlythroughthegates,thelastofallthetravelersfromthattrain.Shegavehishandabrisklittleshake,avertinghereyesafteraquickglanceathim,andturningatoncetowardthepassagetothestreet."Doyouthinktheyoughtto'veletyoucome?Youcertainlydon'tlookwell!"

"ButIcertainlydolookbetter,"hereturned,inavoiceasslowashisgait;adrawlthatwasanecessity,forwhenBibbstriedtospeakquicklyhestammered."Uptoaboutamonthagoittooktwopeopletoseeme.Theyhadtogetmeinalinebetween'em!"

Edithdidnotturnhereyesdirectlytowardhimagain,afterher

firstquickglance;andherexpression,inspiteofher,showedafaint,troubleddistaste,thelookofahealthypersonpressedbysomeobligationofbusinesstovisita"bad"wardinahospital.Shewasnineteen,fairandslim,withsmall,unequalfeatures,butaprettinessofcolorandabrilliancyofeyesthatcreatedatotalimpressioncloseuponbeauty.Hermovementswereeagerandrestless:therewassomethingabouther,askindoldladiessay,thatwasverysweet;andtherewassomethingthatwashurriedandbreathless.ThiswasnewtoBibbs;itwasaperceptiblechangesincehehadlastseenher,andhebentuponherasteady,whimsicalscrutinyastheystoodatthecurb,waitingforanautomobileacrossthestreettodisengageitselffromthetraffic.

"That'sthenewcar,"shesaid."Everything'snew.We'vegotfournow,besidesJim's.Roscoe'sgottwo."

"Edith,youlook--"hebegan,andpaused.

"Oh,WE'reallwell,"shesaid,briskly;andthen,asifsomethinginhistonehadcaughtherassignificant,"Well,HOWdoIlook,Bibbs?"

"Youlook--"Hepausedagain,takinginthefulllengthofher--hertrimbrownshoes,herscant,tapering,roughskirt,andhercoatof



brownandgreen,herlonggreentippetandhermadlittleroughhatinthemadmode--allsuitedtotheOctoberday.

"HowdoIlook?"sheinsisted.

"Youlook,"heanswered,ashisexaminationendeduponanincrustedwatchofplatinumandenamelatherwrist,"youlook--expensive!"Thatwasasubstituteforwhatheintendedtosay,forherconstraintandpreoccupation,manifestedparticularlyinherkeepingherdirectglanceawayfromhim,didnotseemtogranttheprivilegeofimpulsiveintimacies.

"IexpectIam!"shelaughed,andsidelongcaughtthedirectionofhisglance."OfcourseIoughtn'ttowearitinthedaytime--it'saneveningthing,forthetheater--bymydaywrist-watchisoutofgear.BobbyLamhornbrokeityesterday;he'saregularrowdysometimes.DoyouwantClaustohelpyouin?"

"Ohno,"saidBibbs."I'malive."Andafterafitofpantingsubsequenttohisclimbingintothecarunaided,headded,"Ofcourse,IhavetoTELLpeople!"

"Weonlygotyourtelegramthismorning,"shesaid,astheybegantomoverapidlythroughthe"wholesaledistrict"neighboringthestation.

"Mothersaidshe'dhardlyexpectedyouthismonth."

"Theyseemedtobethroughwithmeupthereinthecountry,"heexplained,gently."Atleasttheysaidtheywere,andtheywouldn'tkeepmeanylonger,becausesomanyreallysickpeoplewantedtogetin.Theytoldmetogohome--andIdidn'thaveanyplaceelsetogo.It'llbeallright,Edith;I'llsitinthewoodsheduntilafterdarkeveryday."

"Pshaw!"Shelaughednervously."Ofcoursewe'reallofusgladtohaveyouback."

"Yes?"hesaid."Father?"

"Ofcourse!Didn'thewriteandtellyoutocomehome?"Shedidnotturntohimwiththequestion.Allthewhilesherodewithherfacedirectlyforward.

"No,"hesaid;"fatherhasn'twritten."

Sheflushedalittle."IexpectIoughtto'vewrittensometime,oroneoftheboys--"

"Ohno;thatwasallright."

"Youcan'tthinkhowbusywe'veallbeenthisyear,Bibbs.Ioften

plannedtowrite--andthen,justasIwasgoingto,somethingwouldturnup.AndI'msureit'sbeenjustthesamewaywithJimandRoscoe.Ofcourseweknewmammawaswritingoftenand--"

"Ofcourse!"hesaid,readily."There'sachunkofcoalfallenonyourglove,Edith.Betterflickitoffbeforeitsmears.Myword!I'dalmostforgottenhowsootyitishere."

"We'vebeenhavingverybrightweatherthismonth--forus."Sheblewtheflakeofsootintotheair,seemingrelieved.



Helookedupatthedingysky,whereinhungthedisconsolatesunlikeacoldtinpannailedupinasmoke-housebysomelunatic,foradecoration."Yes,"saidBibbs."It'sverygay."Afewmomentslater,astheypassedacorner,"Aren'twegoinghome?"heasked.

"Why,yes!"Didyouwanttogosomewhereelsefirst?"

"No.Yournewdriver'stakingusoutoftheway,isn'the?"

"No.Thisisright.We'regoingstraighthome."

"Butwe'vepassedthecorner.Wealwaysturned--"

"Goodgracious!"shecried."Didn'tyouknowwe'dmoved?Didn'tyouknowwewereintheNewHouse?"

"Why,no!"saidBibbs."Areyou?"

"We'vebeenthereamonth!Goodgracious!Didn'tyouknow--"Shebrokeoff,flushingagain,andthenwentonhastily:"Ofcourse,mamma'sneverbeensobusyinherlife;weALLhaven'thadtimetodoanythingbutkeeponthehop.Mammacouldn'tevencometothestationto-day.Papa'sgotsomeofhisbusinessfriendsandpeoplefrom

aroundtheOLD-houseneighborhoodcomingto-nightforabigdinnerand'house-warming'--dreadfulkindofpeople--butmamma'sgotitallonherhands.She'sneversatdownaMINUTE;andifshedid,papawouldhaveherupagainbefore--"

"Ofcourse,"saidBibbs."Doyoulikethenewplace,Edith?"

"Idon'tlikesomeofthethingsfatherWOULDhaveinit,butit'sthefinesthouseintown,andthatoughttobegoodenoughforme!PapaboughtonethingIlike--aviewoftheBayofNaplesinoilthat'sperfectlybeautiful;it'sthefirstthingyouseeasyoucomeinthefronthall,andit'selevenfeetlong.ButhewouldhavethatoldfruitpicturewehadintheMurphyStreethousehungupinthe

newdining-room.Yourememberit--atableandawatermelonslicedopen,andalotofrouged-lookingapplesandsomeshinylemons,withtwodeadprairie-chickensonachair?Heboughtitatafurniture-storeyearsandyearsago,andheclaimsit'safinerpicturethananytheysawinthemuseums,thattimehetookmammatoEurope.Butit'shorriblyoutofdatetohavethosethingsindining-rooms,andIcaughtBobbyLamhorngigglingatit;andSibylmadefunofit,too,withBobby,andthentoldpapasheagreedwithhimaboutitsbeingsuchafinething,andsaidhedidjustrighttoinsistonhavingitwherehewantedit.Shemakesmetired!Sibyl!"

Edith'sfirstconstraintwithherbrother,amountingalmosttoawkwardness,vanishedwiththistheme,thoughshestillkepther

fullgazealwaystothefront,evenintheextremeardorofherdenunciationofhersister-in-law.

"SIBYL!"sherepeated,withsuchheatandvigorthatthenameseemedtostrikefireonherlips."I'dliketoknowwhyRoscoecouldn'thavemarriedsomebodyfromHEREthatwouldhavedoneussomegood!HecouldhavegotinwithBobbyLamhornyearsagojustaswellasnow,andBobby'dhaveintroducedhimtothenicestgirlsintown,butinsteadofthathehadtogoandpickupthisSibylRink!ImetsomeawfullynicepeoplefromhertownwhenmammaandIwereatAtlantic



City,lastspring,andnotonehadeverheardoftheRinks!NotevenHEARDof'em!"

"IthoughtyouweregreatfriendswithSibyl,"Bibbssaid.

"UptothetimeIfoundherout!"thesisterreturned,withcontinuingvehemence."I'vefoundoutsomethingsaboutMrs.RoscoeSheridanlately--"

"It'sonlylately?"

"Well--"Edithhesitated,herlipssettingprimly."Ofcourse,IalwaysdidseethatshenevercaredthesnapofherlittlefingeraboutROSCOE!"

"Itseems,"saidBibbs,inlaconicprotest,"thatshemarriedhim."

Thesisteremittedashrillcry,tobeinterpretedascontemptuouslaughter,and,inheremotion,spoketooimpulsively:"Why,she'dhavemarriedYOU!"

"No,no,"hesaid;"shecouldn'tbethatbad!"

"Ididn'tmean--"shebegan,distressed."Ionlymeant--Ididn't

mean--"

"Nevermind,Edith,"heconsoledher."Yousee,shecouldn'thavemarriedme,becauseIdidn'tknowher;andbesides,ifshe'sasmercenaryasallthatshe'dhavebeentooclever.Theheaddoctorevenhadtolendmethemoneyformytickethome."

"Ididn'tmeananythingunpleasantaboutYOU,"Edithbabbled."IonlymeantIthoughtshewasthekindofgirlwhowassosimplycrazytomarrysomebodyshe'dhavemarriedanybodythataskedher."

"Yes,yes,"saidBibbs,"it'sallstraight."And,perceivingthathissister'sexpressionwasthatofapersonwhoseadroitnesshasset

mattersprefectlytorights,hechuckledsilently.

"Roscoe'sperfectlylovelytoher,"shecontinued,amomentlater."Toolovely!Ifhe'dwakeupalittleandlaydownthelaw,someday,likeaMAN,Iguessshe'drespecthimmoreandlearntobehaveherself!"

"'Behave'?"

"Oh,well,Imeanshe'ssoinsincere,"saidEdith,characteristicallyevasivewhenitcametostatingtheverypointtowhichshehadled,andinthisnotuniqueofhersex.

Bibbscontentedhimselfwithanon-committalgesture."Businessiscrawlinguptheoldstreets,"hesaid,hislong,tremuloushandindicatingavastystructureincourseoferection."Theboarding-housescomefirstandthenthe--"

"Thatisn'tforshops,"sheinformedhim."That'sanewinvestmentofpapa's--the'SheridanApartments.'"

"Well,well,"hemurmured."Isupposed'Sheridan'wasalmostwellenoughknownherealready."



"Oh,we'rewellenoughknownABOUT!"shesaid,impatiently."Iguessthereisn'taman,woman,child,orniggerbabyintownthatdoesn'tknowwhoweare.Butwearen'tinwiththerightpeople."

"No!"heexclaimed."Who'sallthat?"

"Who'sallwhat?"

"The'rightpeople.'"

"YouknowwhatImean:thebestpeople,theoldfamilies--thepeoplethathavetherealsocialpositioninthistownandthatknowthey'vegotit."

Bibbsindulgedinhissilentchuckleagain;heseemedgreatlyamused."Ithoughtthatthepeoplewhoactuallyhadtherealwhat-you-may-call-itdidn'tknowit,"hesaid."I'vealwaysunderstoodthatitwasveryunsatisfactory,becauseifyouthoughtaboutityoudidn'thaveit,andifyouhadityoudidn'tknowit."

"That'sjustbosh,"sheretorted."Theyknowitinthistown,allright!Ifoundoutalotofthings,longbeforewebegantothinkofbuildingoutinthisdirection.Therightpeopleinthistown

aren'talwaysthesociety-columnones,andtheymixaroundwithoutsiders,andtheydon'tallbelongtoanyoneclub--they'retakeninallsortsintoalltheirclubs--butthey'reaclan,justthesame;andtheyhavetheclanfeelingandthey'rejustasmuchWe,UsandCompanyasanycrowdyoureadaboutanywhereintheworld.Mostof'emwereherelongbeforepapacame,andthegrandfathersofthegirlsofmyagekneweachother,and--"

"Isee,"Bibbsinterrupted,gravely."Theirancestorsfledtogetherfrommanyastrickenfield,andCrusaders'bloodflowsintheirveins.IalwaysunderstoodthefirsthousewasbuiltbyanoldpartyofthenameofVertreeswhocouldn'tgetalongwithDan'lBoone,andhurriedawaytothesepartsbecauseDan'lwantedhimtogivebackagunhe'd

lenthim."

Edithgavealittleejaculationofalarm."Youmustn'trepeatthatstory,Bibbs,evenifit'strue.TheVertreesesareTHEbestfamily,andofcoursetheveryoldesthere;theywereanoldfamilyevenbeforeMaryVertrees'sgreat-great-grandfathercamewestandfoundedthissettlement.HecamefromLynn,Massachusetts,andtheyhaverelativesthereYET--someofthebestpeopleinLynn!"

"No!"exclaimedBibbs,incredulously.

"AndthereareotheroldfamiliesliketheVertreeses,"shewenton,notheedinghim;"theLamhornsandtheKittersbysandthe

J.PalmerstonSmiths--"

"Strangenamestome,"heinterrupted."Poorthings!Noneofthemhavemyacquaintance."

"No,that'sjustit!"shecried."AndpapahadneverevenheardthenameofVertrees!Mrs.Vertreeswentwithsomeanti-smokecommitteetoseehim,andhetoldherthatsmokewaswhatmadeherhusbandbringhomehiswagesfromthepay-rollonSaturdaynight!HEtoldusaboutit,andIthoughtIjustcouldn'tlivethroughthenight,Iwasso



ashamed!Mr.Vertreeshasalwayslivedonhisincome,andpapadidn'tknowhim,ofcourse.They'rethestiffist,mostelegantpeopleinthewholetown.Andtocrownitall,papawentandboughtthenextlottotheoldVertreescountrymansion--it'sintheveryheartofthebestnewresidencedistrictnow,andthat'swheretheNewHouseis,rightnextdoortothem--andImustsayitmakestheirplacelookrathershabby!ImetMaryVertreeswhenIjoinedtheMissionServiceHelpers,butsheneverdidanymorethanjustbarelybowtome,andsincepapa'sbreakIdoubtifshe'lldothat!Theyhaven'tcalled."

"AndyouthinkifIspreadthisgossipaboutVertreestheFirststealingDan'lBoone'sgun,thechancesthattheyWILLcall--"

"PapaknowswhatabreakhemadewithMrs.Vertrees.Imadehimunderstandthat,"saidEdith,demurely,"andhe'spromisedtotryandmeetMr.Vertreesandbenicetohim.It'sjustthisway:ifwedon'tknowTHEM,it'spracticallynouseinourhavingbuildtheNewHouse;andifweDOknowthemandthey'redecenttous,we'rerightwiththerightpeople.Theycandothewholethingforus.BobbyLamhorntoldSibylhewasgoingtobringhismothertocallonherandonmamma,butitwasweeksago,andInoticehehasn'tdoneit;andifMrs.Vertreesdecidesnottoknowus,I'mdarnsureMrsLamhorn'llnevercome.That'sONEthingSibyldidn'tmanage!SheSAIDBobbyofferedtobringhismother--"

"YousayheisafriendofRoscoe's?"Bibbsasked.

"Oh,he'safriendofthewholefamily,"shereturned,withapetulancewhichshemadeanefforttodisguise."Roscoeandhegotacquaintedsomewhere,andtheytakehimtothetheaterabouteveryothernight.Sibylhashimtolunch,too,andkeeps--"Shebrokeoffwithanangrylittlejerkofthehead."WecanseetheNewHousefromthesecondcornerahead.Roscoehasbuiltstraightacrossthestreetfromus,youknow.Honestly,Sibylmakesmethinkofasnake,sometimes--thewayshepullsthewooloverpeople'seyes!Shehoneysuptopapaandgetsanythingintheworldshewantsoutofhim,andthenmakesfunofhimbehindhisback--yes,andtohisface,butHE

can'tseeit!Shegothimtogiveheratwelve-thousand-dollarporchfortheirhouseafteritwas--"

"Goodheavens!"saidBibbs,staringaheadastheyreachedthecornerandthecarswungtotheright,followingabendinthestreet."IsthattheNewHouse?"

"Yes.Whatdoyouthinkofit?"

"Well,"hedrawled,"I'mprettysurethesanitarium'sabouthalfasizebigger;Ican'tbecertaintillImeasure."

Andamomentlater,astheyenteredthedriveway,headded,seriously:

"Butit'sbeautiful!"

Itwasgraystone,withlongroofsofthickgreenslate.Anarchitectwholovedthemilder"Gothicmotives"hadbuiltwhatheliked:itwastobeseenatoncethathehadbeenleftunhampered,andhehadwroughtapictureoutofhisheadintoanobleandexultantreality.Atthesametimealandscape-designerhadplayedsogoodasecond,withready-madeaccessoriesofscreen,approachandvista,thatalreadywhateverlookofnewnessremainedupontheplacewastoits



advantage,asshowingatleastonethingyetcleanunderthegrimysky.For,thoughthesmokewasthinnerinthisdirection,andatthislongdistancefromtheheartofthetown,itwasnotabsent,andundertutelageofwindandweathercouldbemalignantevenhere,wherecowshadwanderedinthemeadowsandcornhadbeengrowingnottenyearsgone.

Altogether,theNewHousewasasuccess.Itwasoneofthosearchitects'successeswhichleavetheownersveiledinprivacy;itrevealednothingofthepeoplewholivedinitsavethattheywererich.Therearehousesthatcannotbedetachedfromtheirownpeoplewithoutprotesting:everyinchofmortarseemstomourntheseparation,andsuchahouse--nomatterwhatbedonetoit--isevermurmurouswithregret,whisperingtheoldnamesadlytoitselfunceasingly.ButtheNewHousewasofakindtochangehandswithoutemotion.Inourswellingcities,greatplacesofitstypeareusefulasfinancialgaugesofthebusinesstides;richfamilies,oneafteranother,taketitleandoccupysuchhousesasfortunesriseandfall--theymarkthehightide.Itwasimpossibletoimagineachild'stoywagonleftuponawalkordrivewayoftheNewHouse,andyetitwas--asBibbsrightlycalledit--"beautiful."

Whatthearchitectthoughtofthe"GolfodiNapoli,"whichhunginitsvastgoldrevelofrococoframeagainstthegraywoodofthehall,

istobeconjectured--perhapshehadnotseenit.

"Edith,didyousayonlyelevenfeet?"Bibbspanted,staringatit,asthewhite-jacketedtwinofaPullmanporterhelpedhimtogetoutofhisovercoat.

"Elevenwithouttheframe,"sheexplained."It'ssplendid,don'tyouthink?Itlightensthingsupso.Thehallwaskindofgloomybefore."

"Nogloomnow!"saidBibbs.

"Thisstatueinthecornerispretty,too,"sheremarked."Mammaand

Iboughtthat."AndBibbsturnedatherdirectiontobehold,amidagroveoftubbedpalms,a"life-size,"black-beardedMoor,ofaplasticcompositonpaintedwithunappeasableglossandbrilliancy.Uponhischocolateheadheworeagoldturban;inhishandheheldagold-tippedspear;andfortherest,hewasredandyellowandblackandsilver.

"Hallelujah!"wasthesolecommentofthereturnedwanderer,andEdith,sayingshewould"findmamma,"lefthimblinkingattheMoor.Presently,aftershehaddisappeared,heturnedtothecoloredmanwhostoodwaiting,Bibbs'straveling-baginhishand."WhatdoYOUthinkofit?"Bibbsasked,solemnly.

"Gran'!"repliedtheservitor."Shemightyhardtodus'.Dus'gitinall'emwrinkles.Yessuh,shemightyhardtodus'."

"Iexpectshemustbe,"saidBibbs,hisglancereturningreflectivelytotheblackbullbeardforamoment."IsthereaplaceanywhereIcouldliedown?"

"Yessuh.Wegotonenemspareroomsallfixupfo'you,suh.Rightupstaihs,suh.Niceroom."



Heledtheway,andBibbsfollowedslowly,stoppingatintervalstorest,andnotingaheavyincreaseinthestaffofservicesincetheexodusfromthe"old"house.MaidsandscrubwomenwereatworkunderthepatentlynominaldirectionofanotherPullmanporter,whowasprofoundlyenjoyinghisownaffectationofbeingharassedwithcare.

"Ev'ythinggotlookspickan'spanfo'thebigdoin'sto-night,"Bibbs'sguideexplained,chuckling."Yessuh,wegotbigdoin'sto-night!Bigdoin's!"

Theroomtowhichheconductedhislaggingchargewasfurnishedineveryparticularlikearoominanewhotel;andBibbsfounditpleasant--though,indeed,anyroomwithagoodbedwouldhaveseemedpleasanttohimafterhisjourney.Hestretchedhimselfflatimmediately,andhavingreplied"Notnow"totheattendant'soffertounpackthebag,closedhiseyeswearily.

White-jacket,raciallysympathetic,loweredthewindow-shadesandmadeanexitontiptoe,encounteringtheotherwhite-jacket--theharassedoverseer--inthehallwithout.Saidtheemergingone:"Hemightyshaky,Mist'Jackson.Droprightdownan'shethiseyes.Eyelidsallblack.Richfolksgottagosameasanybodyelse.AnybodyastmeifIchange'ith'atoleboy--No,suh!Le'mkeep'ismoney;Ikeepmyblackskinan'keepouttheground!"

Mr.Jacksonexpressedthesamepreference."Yessuh,helooktuhmelikesomebodyawreadylaidout,"heconcluded.Anduponthestairwaylanding,nearby,twooldwomen,onall-foursattheirwork,werelikewisepessimistic.

"Hech!"saidone,lamentinginawhisper."Itgivemeaturntoseehimgoby--whiteaswaxan'bonyasadeadfish!Mrs.Cronin,tellme:d'itmakeyekindo'sicktolookatum?"

"Sick?Nomorethanthefaceofablessedangelalreadyinheaven!"

"Well,"saidtheother,"I'dab'yo'meowncomehomet'dieonce--"

Shefellsilentatarustlingofskirtsinthecorridorabovethem.

ItwasMrs.Sheridanhurryingtogreetherson.

Shewasoneofthosefat,pinkpeoplewhofadeandcontractwithagelikedryingfruit;andheroutsidewasatrueportraitofher.Herhusbandandherdaughterhadlongagoabsorbedher.Whatintelligenceshehadwasgivenalmostwhollytocomprehendingandservingthosetwo,andexceptinthepresenceofoneofthemshewasnearlyalwaysabsent-minded.Edithlivedalldaywithhermother,asdaughtersdo;andSheridansoheldhiswifetoherunitywithhimthatshehadlongagobecomeunconsciousofherexistenceasathingseparatefromhis.Sheinvariablyperceivedhismoods,andnursedhimthroughthemwhen

shedidnotsharethem;andshegavehimaprofoundsympathywiththeinmostspiritandpurposeofhisbeing,eventhoughshedidnotcomprehenditandpartookofitonlyasaspectator.Theyhadknownbutoneactualaltercationintheirlives,andthatwasthirtyyearspast,intheearlydaysofSheridan'sstruggle,when,inordertoenhancethefavorableimpressionhebelievedhimselftobemakinguponsomecapitalists,hehadthoughtitnecessarytoaccompanythemtoaperformanceof"TheBlackCrook."Butshehadnotoncereferredtothisduringthelasttenyears.



Mrs.Sheridan'smannerwashurriedandinconsequent;herclothesrustledmorethanotherwomen'sclothes;sheseemedtoweartoomanyatatimeandtobevaguelytroubledbythem,andshewaspattingaskirtdownoversomeunrulyinternaldissensionatthemomentsheopenedBibbs'sdoor.

Atsightoftherecumbentfigureshebegantoclosethedoorsoftly,withdrawing,buttheyoungmanhadheardtheturningoftheknobandtherustlingofskirts,andheopenedhiseyes.

"Don'tgo,mother,"hesaid."I'mnotasleep."Heswunghislonglegsoverthesideofthebedtorise,butshesetahandonhisshoulder,restraininghim;andhelayflatagain.

"No,"shesaid,bendingovertokisshischeek,"Ijustcomeforaminute,butIwanttoseehowyouseem.Edithsaid--"

"PoorEdith!"hemurmured."Shecouldn'tlookatme.She--"

"Nonsense!"Mrs.Sheridan,havingletinthelightatawindow,camebacktothebedside."Youlookagreatdealbetterthanwhatyoudidbeforeyouwenttothesanitarium,anyway.It'sdoneyougood;abodycanseethatrightaway.Youneedfattingup,ofcourse,andyouhaven'tgotmuchcolor--"

"No,"hesaid,"Ihaven'tmuchcolor."

"Butyouwillhavewhenyougetyourstrengthback."

"Ohyes!"heresponded,cheerfully."THENIwill."

"YoulookagreatdealbetterthanwhatIexpected."

"Edithmusthaveagreatvocabulary!"hechuckled.

"She'stoosensitive,"saidMrs.Sheridan,"anditmakesherexaggeratealittle.Whataboutyourdiet?"

"That'sallright.Theytoldmetoeatanything."

"Anythingatall?"

"Well--anythingIcould."

"That'sgood,"shesaid,nodding."Theymeanforyoujusttobuildupyourstrength.That'swhattheytoldmethelasttimeIwenttoseeyouatthesanitarium.Youlookbetterthanwhatyoudidthen,andthat'sonlyalittletimeago.Howlongwasit?"

"Eightmonths,Ithink."

"No,itcouldn'tbe.Iknowitain'tTHATlong,butmaybeitwaslonger'nIthought.AndthislastmonthorsoIhaven'thadscarcelyeventimetowritemorethanjustalinetoaskhowyouweregettin'along,butItoldEdithtowrite,theweeksIcouldn't,andIaskedJimto,too,andtheybothsaidtheywould,soIsupposeyou'vekeptupprettywellonthehomenews."

"Ohyes."



"WhatIthinkyouneed,"saidthemother,gravely,"istolivenupalittleandtakeaninterestinthings.That'swhatpapawassayin'thismorning,afterwegotyourtelegram;andthat'swhat'llstimilateyourappetite,too.Hewastalkin'overhisplansforyou--"

"Plans?"Bibbs,turningonhisside,shieldedhiseyesfromthelightwithhishand,sothathemightseeherbetter."What--"Hepaused."Whatplansishemakingforme,mother?"

Sheturnedaway,goingbacktothewindowtodrawdowntheshade."Well,youbettertalkitoverwithHIM,"shesaid,withperceptiblenervousness."Hebettertellyouhimself.Idon'tfeelasifIhadanycall,exactly,togointoit;andyoubettergettosleepnow,anyway."Shecameandstoodbythebedsideoncemore."Butyoumustremember,Bibbs,whateverpapadoesisforthebest.Heloveshischuldernandwantstodowhat'srightbyALLof'em--andyou'llalwaysfindhe'srightintheend."

Hemadealittlegestureofassent,whichseemedtocontenther;andsherustledtothedoor,turningtospeakagainaftershehadopenedit."Yougetagoodnap,now,soastobeallrestedupforto-night."

"You--youmean--he--"Bibbsstammered,havingbeguntospeaktoo

quickly.Checkinghimself,hedrewalongbreath,thenasked,quietly,"Doesfatherexpectmetocomedown-stairsthisevening?"

"Well,Ithinkhedoes,"sheanswered."Yousee,it'sthe'house-warming,'ashecallsit,andhesaidhethinksallourchuldernoughttobearoundus,aswellastheoldfriendsandotherfolks.It'sjustwhathethinksyouneed--totakeaninterestandlivenup.Youdon'tfeeltoobadtocomedown,doyou?"

"Mother?"

"Well?"

"Takeagoodlookatme,"hesaid.

"Oh,seehere!"shecried,withbrusquecheerfulness."You'renotsobadoffasyouthinkyouare,Bibbs.You'reonthemend;anditwon'tdoyouanyharmtopleaseyour--"

"Itisn'tthat,"heinterrupted."Honestly,I'monlyafraiditmightspoilsomebody'sappetite.Edith--"

"Itoldyouthechildwastoosensitive,"sheinterrupted,inturn."You'reaplentygood-lookin'enoughyoungmanforanybody!Youlooklikeyoubeenthroughalongspellandbeguntogetwell,andthat'sallthereistoit."

"Allright.I'llcometotheparty.Iftherestofyoucanstandit,Ican!"

"It'lldoyougood,"shereturned,rustlingintothehall."Nowtakeanap,andI'llsendoneo'thehelptowakeyouintimeforyoutogetdressedupbeforedinner.Yougotosleeprightaway,now,Bibbs!"

Bibbswasunabletoobey,thoughhekepthiseyesclosed.Something



shehadsaidkeptrunninginhismind,repeatingitselfoverandoverinterminably."Hisplansforyou--hisplansforyou--hisplansforyou--hisplansforyou--"Andthen,takingtheplaceof"hisplansforyou,"afterwhatseemedalong,longwhile,herflurriedvoicecamebacktohiminsistently,seemingtowhisperinhisear:"Heloveshischuldern--heloveshischuldern--heloveshischuldern"--"you'llfindhe'salwaysright--you'llfindhe'salwaysright--"Untilatlast,ashedriftedintothestateofhalf-dreamsanddistortedrealities,thevoiceseemedtomurmurfrombeyondagreatblackwingthatcameoutofthewallandstretchedoverhisbed--itwasablackwingwithintheroom,andatthesametimeitwasablackcloudcrossingthesky,bridgingthewholeearthfrompoletopole.Itwasacloudofblacksmoke,andoutoftheheartofitcameaflurriedvoicewhisperingoverandover,"Hisplansforyou--hisplansforyou--hisplansforyou--"Andthentherewasnothing.

Hewokerefreshed,stretchedhimselfgingerly--asonemighthaveacareagainsttooquickortoolongapulluponafrayedelastic--and,gettingtohisfeet,wentblinkingtothewindowandtouchedtheshadesothatitflewup,lettinginapalesunset.

Helookedoutintothelemon-coloredlightandsmiledwanlyatthenexthouse,asEdith'sgrandiosephrasecametomind,"theoldVertreescountrymansion."Itstoodinabroadlawnwhichwas

separatedfromtheSheridans'byayounghedge;anditwasabig,square,plainoldboxofahousewithagiantsalt-cellaratopforacupola.Painthadbeensparedforalongtime,andnoonecouldhaveputanametothecolorofit,butinspiteofthattheplacehadnolookofbeingoutatheel,andtheswardwasasneatlytrimmedastheSheridans'own.

TheseparatinghedgeranalmostbeneathBibbs'swindow--forthiswingoftheNewHouseextendedherealmosttotheedgeofthelot--and,directlyoppositethewindow,theVertreeses'lawnhadbeengradedsoastomakealittleknolluponwhichstoodasmallrustic"summer-house."ItwasalmostonalevelwithBibbs'swindowandnotthirtyfeetaway;anditwaseasyforhimtoimaginethepresentdynastyof

Vertreesesingrievousoutcrywhentheyhadfoundthisretreatruinedbythejuxtapositionoftheparvenuintruder.Probablythe"summer-house"waspleasantandprettyinsummer.Ithadthelookofaplacewhereinlittlegirlshadplayedforagenerationorsowithdollsand"housekeeping,"orwherealovelyoldladymightcometoreadsomethingdullonwarmafternoons;butnowinthethinlightitwasdesolate,thecolorofdust,andhungwithhaggardvineswhichhadlosttheirleaves.

Bibbslookedatitwithgravesympathy,probablyfeelingsomekinshipwithanythingsodismantled;thenheturnedtoacheval-glassbesidethewindowandpaidhimselfthedubioustributeofathoroughinspection.Helookedthemirrorupanddown,slowly,repeatedly,

butcameintheendtoalongandearnestscrutinyoftheface.Throughoutthiscrypticseancehismannerwasprofoundlyimpersonal;hehadtheairofanentomologistintentuponclassifyingaspecimen,butfinallyheappearedtobecomepessimistic.Heshookhisheadsolemnly;thengazedagainandshookhisheadagain,andcontinuedtoshakeitslowly,incompletedisapproval.

"Youcertainlyareonehorriblesight!"hesaid,aloud.

Andatthathewasinstantlyawareofanobserver.Turningquickly,



hewasvouchsafedthepictureofacharminglady,framedinarusticapertureofthe"summer-house"andstaringfullintohiswindow--straightintohiseyes,too,fortheinfinitesimalfractionofasecondbeforetheflashinglycensoriouswithdrawalofherown.Composedly,shepulledseveraldeadtwigsfromavine,themannerofheractionconveyingamessageorproclamationtotheeffectthatshewasinthesummer-houseforthesolepurposeofsuch-likepruningandtending,andthatnogentlemancouldsupposeherpresencetheretobeduetoanyotherpurposewhatsoever,orthat,beingthereonthataccount,shehadallowedherattentiontowanderforoneinstantinthedirectionofthingsofwhichshewasinrealityunconscious.

Havingpulledenoughtwigstoemphasizeherunconsciousness--andatthesametimeherdisapproval--ofeverythinginthenatureofaSheridanorbelongingtoaSheridan,shedescendedtheknollwithmaintainedcomposure,andsaunteredtowardaside-doorofthecountrymansionoftheVertreeses.Anelderlylady,bonnetedandcloaked,openedthedoorandcametomeether.

"Areyouready,Mary?I'vebeenlookingforyou.Whatwereyoudoing?"

"Nothing.JustlookingintooneofSheridans'windows,"saidMaryVertrees."Igotcaughtatit."

"Mary!"criedhermother."Justasweweregoingtocall!Goodheavens!"

"We'llgo,justthesame,"thedaughterreturned."Isupposethosewomenwouldbegladtohaveusifwe'dburnedtheirhousetotheground."

"ButWHOsawyou?"insistedMrs.Vertrees.

"Oneofthesons,Isupposehewas.Ibelievehe'sinsane,orsomething.AtleastIheartheykeephiminasanitariumsomewhere,andnevertalkabouthim.Hewasstaringathimselfinamirrorand

talkingtohimself.Thenhelookedoutandcaughtme."

"Whatdidhe--"

"Nothing,ofcourse."

"Howdidhelook?"

"Likeaghostinabluesuit,"saidMissVertrees,movingtowardthestreetandwavingawhite-glovedhandinfarewelltoherfather,whowasobservingthemfromthewindowofhislibrary."Rathertragicandaltogetherimpossible.Docomeon,mother,andlet'sgetitover!"

AndMrs.Vertrees,withmanymisgivings,setforthwithherdaughterfortheirgraciousassaultupontheNewHousenextdoor.

Mr.Vertrees,havingwatchedtheirdeparturewiththeairofamanwhohadsomethingathazardupontheexpedition,turnedfromthewindowandbegantopacethelibrarythoughtfully,pendingtheirreturn.Hewasaboutsixty;asmallman,witheredanddryandfine,atrimlittlesketchofanelderlydandy.Hislambrequinmustache



--relicofaforgottenAnglomania--hadbeenprofoundlyblack,butnow,likehissmoothhair,itwasapproachinganequallysheerwhiteness;andthoughhisclotheswereold,theyhadshapelinessandaflavorofmode.Andforgreatersprucenessthereweresomejauntytouches;grayspats,anarrowblackribbonacrossthegraywaistcoattotheeye-glassesinapocket,afleckofcolorfromabuttoninthelapeloftheblackcoat,labelinghimthedescendantofpatriotwarriors.

Theroomwasnotlikehim,beingcheerfulandhideous,whereasMr.Vertreeswasanxiousanddecorative.Underamantelofimitationblackmarbleamerrylittlecoal-firebeamedforthuponhighandnarrow"Eastlake"bookcaseswithlongglassdoors,anduponcomfortable,incongruousfurniture,anduponmeaningless"woodwork"everywhere,anduponhalfadozenLandseerengravingswhichMr.andMrs.Vertreessometimesmentionedtoeachother,afterthirtyyearsofpossession,as"veryfinethings."TheyhadbeenthefirstpeopleintowntopossessLandseerengravings,andthere,inart,theyhadrested,buttheystillhadafeelingthatinallsuchmatterstheywereinthevan;andwhenMr.VertreesdiscoveredLandseersuponthewallsofotherpeople'shouseshethawed,asachieftaintoatrustedfollower;andifhefoundaneditionofBulwerLyttonaccompanyingtheLandseersasafinalcorroborationofculture,hewouldsay,inevitably,"Thosepeopleknowgoodpicturesandtheyknowgood

books."

Thegrowthofthecity,whichmighteasilyhavemadehimamillionaire,hadruinedhimbecausehehadfailedtounderstandit.Whentownsbegintogrowtheyhavewhims,andthewhimsofatownalwaysruinsomebody.Mr.Vertreeshadbeenmoststrikinglythesomebodyinthiscase.AtaboutthetimeheboughttheLandseers,heowned,throughinheritance,anoffice-buildingandalargehousenotfarfromit,wherehespentthewinter;andhehadacountryplace--afarmoffourhundredacres--wherehewentforthesummerstothecomfortable,uglyoldhousethatwashishomenow,perforce,alltheyearround.Ifhehadknownhowtositstillandletthingshappenhewouldhaveprosperedmiraculously;but,strangelyenough,

thedaintylittlemanwasoneofthefirsttofalldownandworshipBigness,thewhichproceededstraightwaytoenacttheroleofJuggernautforhisbettereducation.Hewasatrueprophetoftheprodigiousgrowth,buthehadafatalgiftforsellinggoodandbuyingbad.HeshouldhavestayedathomeandlookedathisLandseersandreadhisBulwer,buthetookhiscowtomarket,andthetrainedmilkersmilkedherdryandthenateher.Hesoldtheoffice-buildingandthehouseintowntobuyagreattractoflotsinanewsuburb;thenhesoldthefarm,exceptthehouseandthegroundaboutit,topaythetaxesonthesuburbanlotsandto"keepthemup."Thelotsrefusedtostayup;buthehadtodosomethingtokeephimselfandhisfamilyup,soindespairhesoldthelots(whichwentupbeautifullythenextyear)for"tractionstock"thatwaspayingdividends;and

thereafterheceasedtobuyandsell.ThushedisappearedaltogetherfromthecommercialsurfaceataboutthetimeJamesSheridancameoutsecurelyontop;andSheridan,untilMrs.Vertreescalleduponhimwithher"anti-smoke"committee,hadneverheardthename.

Mr.Vertrees,pinched,retiredtohisLandseers,andMrs.Vertrees"managedsomehow"onthedividends,though"managing"becamemoreandmoredifficultastheyearswentbyandmoneyboughtlessandless.ButtherecameadaywhenthreeservitorsofBignessinPhiladelphiatookgreedycounselwithfourfellow-worshipersfromNewYork,and



notlongafterthattherewerenomoredividendsforMr.Vertrees.Infact,therewasnothingforMr.Vertrees,becausethe"tractionstock"henceforthwasnostockatall,andhehadmortgagedhishouselongagotohelp"managesomehow"accordingtohisconceptionofhis"positioninlife"--oneofhisownold-fashionedphrases.SixmonthsbeforethecompletionoftheNewHousenextdoor,Mr.VertreeshadsoldhishorsesandthewornVictoriaand"station-wagon,"topaythearrearsofhistwoservantsandre-establishcreditatthegrocer'sandbutcher's--andapairofelderlycarriage-horseswithsuchaccoutrementsarenotveryamplebarter,inthesedays,forsixmonths'foodandfuelandservice.Mr.Vertreeshaddiscovered,too,thattherewasnosalaryforhiminallthebuzzingcity--hecoulddonothing.

Itmaybesaidthathewasattheendofhisstring.Suchtimesdocomeinalltheirbitterness,finally,tothemanwithnotradeorcraft,ifhisfeebleclutchonthatslipperyghost,Property,shallfail.

Thewindowsgrewblackwhilehepacedtheroom,andsmokytwilightclosedroundaboutthehouse,yetnotmoredarklythanwhatclosedroundabouttheheartoftheanxiouslittlemanpatrollingthefan-shapedzoneoffirelight.Butasthemantelclockstruckwheezilysixtherewastherattleofanouterdoor,andarichandbeautiful

pealoflaughterwentringingthroughthehouse.ThuscheerfullydidMaryVertreesheraldherreturnwithhermotherfromtheirexpeditionamongthebarbarians.

Shecamerushingintothelibraryandthrewherselfintoadeepchairbythehearth,laughingsouncontrollablythattearswereinhereyes.Mrs.Vertreesfolloweddecorously,nomirthabouther;onthecontrary,shelookedvaguelydisturbed,asifshehadeatensomethingnotquitecertaintoagreewithher,andregrettedit.

"Papa!Oh,oh!"AndMissVertreeswasfaintoapplyahandkerchiefuponhereyes."I'mSOgladyoumadeusgo!Iwouldn'thavemissedit--"

Mrs.Vertreesshookherhead."IsupposeI'mverydull,"shesaid,gently."Ididn'tseeanythingamusing.They'remostordinary,andthehouseisaltogetherinbadtaste,butweanticipatedthat,and--"

"Papa!"Marycried,breakingin."TheyaskedustoDINNER!"

"What!"

"AndI'mGOING!"sheshouted,andwasseizedwithfreshparoxysms."Thinkofit!Neverintheirhousebefore;nevermetanyofthembutthedaughter--andjustBARELYmether--"

"Whataboutyou?"interrruptedMr.Vertrees,turningsharplyuponhiswife.

Shemadealittlefaceasifpositivenowthatwhatshehadeatenwouldnotagreewithher."Icouldn't!"shesaid."I--"

"Yes,that'sjust--justthewayshe--shelookedwhentheyaskedher!"criedMary,choking."Andthenshe--sherealizedit,andtriedtoturnitintoacough,andshedidn'tknowhow,anditsoundedlike--likeasqueal!"



"Isuppose,"saidMrs.Vertrees,muchinjured,"thatMarywillhaveanuproarioustimeatmyfuneral.Shemakesfunof--"

Maryjumpedupinstantlyandkissedher;thenshewenttothemanteland,leaninganelbowuponit,gazedthoughtfullyatthebuckleofhershoe,twinklinginthefirelight.

"THEYdidn'tnoticeanything,"shesaid."Sofarastheywereconcerned,mamma,itwasoneofthefinestcoughsyouevercoughed."

"Whowere'they'?"askedherfather."Whomdidyousee?"

"Onlythemotheranddaughter,"Maryanswered."Mrs.Sheridanisdumpyandrustly;andMissSheridanisprettyandpushing--dressesbythefashionmagazinesandtalksaboutNewYorkpeoplethathavetheirpicturesin'em.Shetutorsthemother,butnotverysuccessfully--partlybecauseherownfoundationistooflimsyandpartlybecauseshebegantoolate.They'vegotanenormousMoorofpaintedplasterorsomethinginthehall,andthegirlevidentlythoughtitwastohercreditthatsheselectedit!"

"Theyhaveoil-paintings,too,"addedMrs.Vertrees,withaglanceofgentlepriceattheLandseers."I'vealwaysthoughtoil-paintingsin

aprivatehousetheworstoftaste."

"Oh,ifoneownedaRaphaeloraTitian!"saidMr.Vertrees,finishingtheimplication,notinwords,butwithawaveofhishand."Goon,Mary.Noneoftherestofthemcamein?Youdidn'tmeetMr.Sheridanor--"Hepausedandadjustedalumpofcoalinthefiredelicatelywiththepoker."Oroneofthesons?"

Mary'sglancecrossedhis,atthat,withaflashofuttercomprehension.Heturnedinstantlyaway,butshehadbeguntolaughagain.

"No,"shesaid,"nooneexceptthewomen,butmammainquiredabout

thesonsthoroughly!"

"Mary!"Mrs.Vertreesprotested.

"Oh,mostadroitly,too!"laughedthegirl."Onlyshecouldn'thelpunconsciouslyturningtolookatme--whenshedidit!"

"MaryVertrees!"

"Nevermind,mamma!Mrs.SheridanandMissSheridanneitherofTHEMcouldhelpunconsciouslyturningtolookatme--speculatively--atthesametime!Theyallthreekeptlookingatmeandtalkingabouttheoldestson,Mr.JamesSheridan,Junior.Mrs.Sheridansaidhisfather

isveryanxious'togetJimtomarryandsettledown,'andsheassuredmethat'Jimisrightcultivated.'Anotherofthesons,theyoungestone,caughtmelookinginthewindowthisafternoon;buttheydidn'tseemtoconsiderhimquiteoneofthemselves,somehow,thoughMrs.Sheridanmentionedthatacoupleofyearsorsoagohehadbeen'rightsick,'andhadbeentosomecureorother.Theyseemedrelievedtobringthesubjectbackto'Jim'andhisvirtues--andtolookatme!Theotherbrotheristhemiddleone,Roscoe;he'stheonethatownsthenewhouseacrossthestreet,wherethatyoungblack-sheepoftheLamhorns,Robert,goessooften.Isawashort,darkyoungman



standingontheporchwithRobertLamhorntheretheotherday,soIsupposethatwasRoscoe.'Jim'stilllurksinthemists,butIshallmeethimto-night.Papa--"Shesteppednearertohimsothathehadtofaceher,andhiseyesweretroubledashedid.Theremayhavebeenatroubledeepwithinherown,butshekepttheirsurfacemerrywithlaughter."Papa,Bibbsistheyoungestone'sname,andBibbs--tothebestofourinformation--isalunatic.Roscoeismarried.Papa,doesithavetobeJim?"

"Mary!"Mrs.Vertreescried,sharply."You'reoutrageous!That'saperfectlyhorriblewayoftalking!"

"Well,I'mclosetotwenty-four,"saidMary,turningtoher."Ihaven'tbeenabletolikeanybodyyetthat'saskedmetomarryhim,andmaybeInevershall.UntilayearorsoagoI'vehadeverythingIeverwantedinmylife--youandpapagaveitalltome--andit'sabouttimeIbegantopayback.Unfortunately,Idon'tknowhowtodoanything--butsomething'sgottobedone."

"Butyouneedn'ttalkofitlikeTHAT!"insistedthemother,plaintively."It'snot--it'snot--"

"No,it'snot,"saidMary."Iknowthat!"

"Howdidtheyhappentoaskyoutodinner?"Mr.Vertreesinquired,uneasily."'Stextrawdn'rything!"

"Climbers'hospitality,"Marydefinedit."Weweresoverycordialandeasy!IthinkMrs.Sheridanherselfmighthavedoneitjustasanykindoldwomanonafarmmightaskaneighbor,butitwasMissSheridanwhodidit.Sheplayedarounditawhile;youcouldseeshewantedto--she'sinadreadfulhurrytogetintothings--andIfanciedshehadanideaitmightimpressthatLamhornboytofindusthereto-night.It'sasortofhouse-warmingdinner,andtheytalkedaboutitandtalkedaboutit--andthenthegirlgothercourageupandblurtedouttheinvitation.Andmamma--"HereMarywasoncemoreavictimtoincorrigiblemerriment."Mammatriedtosayyes,and

COULDN'T!Sheswallowedandsquealed--Imeanyoucoughed,dear!Andthen,papa,shesaidthatyouandshehadpromisedtogotoalectureattheEmersonClubto-night,butthatherdaughterwouldbedelightedtocometotheBigShow!SothereIam,andthere'sMr.JimSheridan--andthere'stheclock.Dinner'satseven-thirty!"

Andsheranoutoftheroom,scoopingupherfallenfurswithagestureofflyinggraceasshesped.

Whenshecamedown,attwentymunutesafterseven,herfatherstoodinthehall,atthefootofthestairs,waitingtobeherescortthroughthedark.Helookedupandwatchedherasshedescended,andhisgazewasfondandproud--andprofoundlydisturbed.Butshesmiledand

noddedgaily,and,whenshereachedthefloor,putahandonhisshoulder.

"Atleastnoonecouldsuspectmeto-night,"shesaid."ILOOKrich,don'tI,papa?"

Shedid.Shehadalookthatworshipfulgirlfriendsbravelycalled"regal."Aheadtallerthanherfather,shewasasstraightandjauntilypoisedasaboyathlete;andherbrownhairandherbrowneyeswerelikehermother's,butfortherestshewentbacktosome



strongerandlivelierancestorthaneitherofherparents.

"Don'tIlooktoorichtobesuspected?"sheinsisted.

"Youlookeverythingbeautiful,Mary,"hesaid,huskily.

"Andmydress?"Shethrewopenherdarkvelvetcloak,showingasplendorofwhiteandsilver."AnythingbetteratNicenextwinter,doyouthink?"Shelaughed,shroudingherglitteringfigureinthecloakagain."Twoyearsold,andnoonewoulddreamit!Ididitover."

"Youcandoanything,Mary."

Therewasacurioushumilityinhistone,andsomethingmore--asignificancenotveiledandyetabysmallyapologetic.Itwasasifhesuggestedsomethingtoherandbeggedherforgivenessinthesamebreath.

Anduponthat,forthemoment,shebecameasseriousashe.Sheliftedherhandfromhisshoulderandthensetitbackmorefirmly,sothatheshouldfeelthereassuranceofitspressure.

"Don'tworry,"shesaid,inalowvoiceandgravely."Iknowexactly

whatyouwantmetodo."

Itwasabraveandlustrousbanquet;andanoisyone,too,becausetherewasanorchestraamongsomeplantsatoneendofthelongdining-room,andafterapreliminarystiffnesstheguestswereimpelledtoconverse--necessarilyatthetopsoftheirvoices.Thewholecompanyoffiftysatatagreatoblongtable,improvisedfortheoccasionbycarpenters;but,notbetrayingitselfasanimprovisation,itseemedapermanentcontinentofdamaskandlace,withshoresofcrystalandsilverrunninguptospreadinggrovesoforchidsandliliesandwhiteroses--aninhabitedcontinent,evidently,fortherewerethreemarvelous,gleamingbuildings:oneinthecenterandone

ateachend,whitemiracleswroughtbysomeinspiredcraftsmaninsculpturalicing.Theyweremodelsinminiature,andtheyrepresentedtheSheridanBuilding,theSheridanApartments,andthePumpWorks.Nearlyalltheguestsrecognizedthemwithouthavingtobetoldwhattheywere,andpronouncedthelikenessessuperb.

Thearrangementofthetablewasvisablybaronial.AttheheadsatthegreatThane,withtheflowerofhisfamilyandoftheguestsabouthim;thenoneachsidecametheneighborsofthe"old"house,gradingdowntovassalsandretainers--superintendents,cashiers,headsofdepartments,andthelike--atthefoot,wheretheThane'sladytookherplaceasaconsolationforthelessimportant.Here,too,amongthethrallsandbondmen,satBibbsSheridan,ameekBanquo,wondering

howanybodycouldlookathimandeat.

Nevertheless,therewasavast,continuouseating,forthesewerewholesomefolkwhounderstoodthatdinnermeantsomethingintendedforintroductionintothesystembymeansofanapertureintheface,devisedbynatureforthatexpresspurpose.Andbesides,nobodylookedatBibbs.

Hewasbettercontenttobelefttohimself;hisvoicewasnotstrongenoughtomakeitselfheardoverthehubbubwithoutanexhausting



effort,andthetalkthatwentonabouthimwastoofastandtoofragmentaryforhisdrawltokeeppacewithit.Sohefeltrelievedwheneachofhisneighborsinturn,afterapoliteinquiryabouthishealth,turnedtoseeklivelierreponsesinotherdirections.Forthetalkwentonwiththeeating,incessantly.Itroseoverthethrobbingoftheorchestraandtheclatterandclinkingofsilverandchinaandglass,andtherewasamightybabble.

"Yes,sir!Startedwithoutadollar."..."Yellowflouncesontheoverskirt--"..."Isays,'Wilkie,yourdepartment'sgottogobiggerthisyear,'Isays."..."Fifteenpercent.turnoverinthirty-oneweeks."..."Oneofthebigestmeninthebiggest--"..."Thewifesaysshe'llhavetoletoutmypantsifmyappetite--"..."Say,didyouseethatstatueofaTurkinthehall?OneofthefinestthingsIever--"..."Notadollar,notanickel,notoneredcentdoyougetouto'me,'Isays,andsoheupsand--"..."Yes,thebabymakesfour,they'velostnow."..."Well,theygottheirraise,andtheywentinbig."..."Yes,sir!Notadollartohisname,andlookatwhat--"..."Youwait!Thepopulationofthistown'sgoin'tohitthemillionmarkbeforeshestops."..."Well,ifyoucanshowmeabiggerdealthan--"

AndthroughtheintersticesofthisclamoringBibbscouldhearthecontinualboomingofhisfather'sheavyvoice,andoncehecaughtthe

sentence,"Yes,younglady,that'sjustwhatdiditforme,andthat'sjustwhat'lldoitformyboys--theygottomaketwobladeso'grassgrowwhereonegrewbefore!"Itwashisfamiliarflourish,anoldstorytoBibbs,andnowjoviallydeclaimedfortheedificationofMaryVertrees.

ItwasagreatnightforSheridan--theverycrestofhiswave.HesatthereknowinghimselfThaneandmasterbyhisownendeavor;andhisbig,smooth,redfacegrewmoreandmoreradiantwithgoodwillandwiththesimplest,happiest,mostboy-likevanity.Hewasthepictureofhealth,ofgoodcheer,andofpoweronaholiday.Hehadthirtyteeth,nonebought,andshowedmostofthemwhenhelaughed;hisgrizzledhairwasthick,andasunrulyasafarmlaborer's;his

chestwasdeepandbigbeneathitsvastfacadeofstarchedwhitelinen,wherelittlediamondstwinkled,circlingthreelargepearls;hishandswerestubbyandstrong,andheusedthemfreelyingesturesofmarkedpicturesqueness;and,thoughhehadgrownfatatchinandwaistandwrist,hehadnotlostthelookofreadinessandactivity.

Hedominatedthetable,shoutingjocularquestionsandrailleriesateveryone.Hisideawasthatwhenpeoplewerehavingagoodtimetheywerenoisy;andhisownadditionstothehubbubincreasedhispleasure,and,ofcourse,metthewarmestencouragementfromhisguests.Edithhaddiscoveredthathehadveryfoggynotionsofthedifferencebetweenabandandanorchestra,andwhenitwasmadecleartohimhehadheldoutforabanduntilEdiththreatenedtears;but

thesizeoftheorchestratheyhiredconsoledhim,andhehadnownoregretsinthematter.

Hekepttimetothemusiccontinually--withhisfeet,orpoundingonthetablewithhisfist,andsometimeswithspoonorknifeuponhisplateoraglass,withoutpermittingtheseside-productstointerferewiththerealbusinessofeatingandshouting.

"Tell'emtoplay'NancyLee'!"hewouldbellowdownthelengthofthetabletohiswife,whilethemusicianswereinthemidstofthe



"Toreador"song,perhaps."Askthatfellowiftheydon'tknow'NancyLee'!"AndwhentheleaderwouldshakehisheadapologeticallyinanswertoanobedientshriekfromMrs.Sheridan,the"Toreador"continuingvehemently,Sheridanwouldroarhalf-rememberedfragmentsof"NancyLee,"naturallyminglingsomeBizetwiththeairofthatuxorioustribute.

"Oh,thereshestandsandwavesherhandswhileI'maway!"Asail-er'swifeasail-er'sstarshouldbe!Yoho,oh,oh!"Oh,Nancy,Nancy,NancyLee!Oh,Na-hancyLee!"

"HAY,there,oldlady!"hewouldbellow."Tell'emtoplay'IntheGloaming.'Inthegloaming,oh,mydarling,la-la-lum-tee--Well,iftheydon'tknowthat,what'sthematterwith'LarboardWatch,Ahoy'?THAT'Sgoodmusic!That'sthekindo'musicIlike!Comeon,now!Mrs.Callin,get'emsingin'downinyourparto'thetable.What'sthematteryoufolksdownthere,anyway?Larboardwatch,ahoy!"

"Whatjoyhefeels,as--ta-tum-dum-tee-dee-dumsteals.La-a-r-boardwatch,ahoy!"

Noexternalbubblingcontributedtothiseffervescence;theSheridans'tablehadneverbornewine,and,morebecauseoftimidityaboutitthanconviction,itborenonenow;though"mineralwaters"were

copiouslypouredfrombottleswrapped,forsomereason,innapkins,andprovedwhollysatisfactorytoalmostalloftheguests.Andcertainlynowinecouldhaveinspiredmoreturbulentgoodspiritsinthehost.NotevenBibbswasanalloyinthisnight'shappiness,for,asMrs.Sheridanhadsaid,hehad"plansforBibbs"--planswhichweregoingtostraightenoutsomethingsthathadgonewrong.

Sohepoundedthetableandboomedhisechoesofoldsongs,andthen,forgettingthese,wouldrenewhisfriendlyrailleries,orperhaps,turningtoMaryVertrees,whosatnearhim,roundthecornerofthetableathisright,hewouldbecomeautobiographical.Gentlemenlessnaivethanhehadpaidherthattribute,forshewasagirlwhoinspiredtheautobiographicalimpulseineverymanwhomether--it

neededbutthesightofher.

Thedinnerseemed,somehow,tocenteraboutMaryVertreesandthejocundhostasaplaycentersaboutitsheroandheroine;theyweretherubicundkingandthestarryprincessofthisspectacle--theypaidcourttoeachother,andeverybodypaidcourttothem.DownnearthesugarPumpWorks,whereBibbssat,therewasaudiblespeculationandadmiration."Wonderwhothatladyis--makin'suchahitwiththeoldman.""Mustbesomeheiress.""Heiress?Golly,IguessIcouldstandittomarryrich,then!"

EdithandSibylwereradiant:atfirsttheyhadwatchedMissVertreeswithanalmosthaggardanxiety,wonderingwhatdisasterouseffect

Sheridan'spastoralgaieties--andotherthings--wouldhaveuponher,butsheseemeddelightedwitheverything,andwithhimmostofall.Shetreatedhimasifheweresomedelicious,foolisholdjokethatsheunderstoodperfectly,laughingathimalmostviolentlywhenhebragged--probablyhisfirstexperienceofthatkindinhislife.Itenchantedhim.

Asheproclaimedtothetable,shehad"awaywithher."Shehad,indeed,asRoscoeSheridan,uponherright,discoveredjustafterthefeastbegan.Sincehismarriagethreeyearsbefore,noladyhad



bestoweduponhimsoprotractedafullviewofbrillianteyes;and,withthelook,hislovelyneighborsaid--anditwasherfirstspeechtohim--

"Ihopeyou'reverysusceptible,Mr.Sheridan!"

HonestRoscoewastakenaback,and"Why?"wasallhemanagedtosay.

Sherepeatedthelookdeliberately,whichwasnoted,withamystificationequaltohisown,byhissisteracrossthetable.Noone,reflectedEdith,couldimageMaryVertreesthesortofgirlwhowould"reallyflirt"withmarriedmen--shewasobviouslythe"oppositeofallthat."Edithdefinedherasa"thoroughbred,"a"nicegirl";andthelookgiventoRoscoewasastounding.Roscoe'swifesawit,too,andshewasanotherwhomitpuzzled--thoughnotbecauseitsrecipientwasmarried.

"Because!"saidMaryVertrees,replyingtoRoscoe'smonosyllable."Andalsobecausewe'renext-doorneighborsattable,andit'sdulltimesaheadforbothofusifwedon'tgetalong."

Roscoewasaliteralyoungman,allstocksandbonds,andhehadbeenbroughtuptobelievethatwhenamanmarriedhe"marriedandsettleddown."Itwas"allright,"hefelt,foramanasoldashisfatherto

payfloridcomplimentstoasprettyagirlasthisMissVertrees,butforhimself--"ayoungmarriedman"--itwouldn'tdo;anditwouldn'tevenbequitemoral.Heknewthatyoungmarriedpeoplemighthavefriendships,likehiswife'sforLamhorn;butSibylandLamhornnever"flirted"--theywerealwaysverymatter-of-factwitheachother.RoscoewouldhavebeentroubledifSibylhadevertoldLamhornshehopedhewassusceptible.

"Yes--we'reneighbors,"hesaid,awkwardly.

"Next-doorneighborsinhouses,too,"sheadded.

"No,notexactly.Iliveacrossthestreet."

"Why,no!"sheexclaimed,andseemedstartled."Yourmothertoldmethisafternoonthatyoulivedathome."

"Yes,ofcourseIliveathome.Ibuiltthatnewhouseacrossthestreet."

"Butyou--"shepaused,confused,andthenslowlyadeepcolorcameintohercheek."ButIunderstood--"

"No,"hesaid;"mywifeandIlivedwiththeoldfolksthefirstyear,butthat'sall.EdithandJimlivewiththem,ofcourse."

"I--Isee,"shesaid,thedeepcolorstilldeepeningassheturnedfromhimandsaw,writtenuponacardbeforethegentlemanatherleftthename,"Mr.JamesSheridan,Jr."AndfromthatmomentRoscoehadlittleenoughcauseforwonderingwhatheoughttoreplytoherdisturbingcoquetries.

Mr.JamesSheridanhadbeenanxiouslywaitingforthedazzlingvisitorto"getthroughwitholdRoscoe,"ashethoughtofit,andgiveabachelorachance."OldRoscoe"wastheyounger,buthehadalwaysbeenthesteadywheel-horseofthefamily.Jimwas"steady"enough,



butwasconsideredlivelierthanRoscoe,whichintruthisnotsayingmuchforJim'sliveliness.Astheirfatherhabituallyboasted,bothbrotherswere"capable,hard-workingyoungbusinessmen,"andtheprincipaldifferencebetweenthemwasmerelythatwhichresultedfromJim'sbeingstillabachelor.Physicallytheywereofthesametype:darkofeyesandofhair,fresh-coloredandthick-set,andthoughRoscoewasseveralinchestallerthanJim,neitherwasoftheheight,breadth,ordepthofthefather.Bothworeyoungbusinessmen'smustaches,andeithercouldhavesatforthetailor-shoplithographsofyoungbusinessmenwearing"richsuitingsindarkmixtures."

Jim,approvingwarmlyofhisneighbor'sprofile,perceivedheraccessofcolor,whichincreasedhisapprobation."What'sthatoldRoscoesayingtoyou,MissVertrees?"heasked."Theseyoungmarriedmenaremightyforwardnowadays,butyoumustn'tlet'emmakeyoublush."

"AmIblushing?"shesaid."Areyousure?"Andwiththatshegavehimampleopportunitytomakesure,repeatingwithinterestthelookwasteduponRoscoe."Ithinkyoumustbemistaken,"shecontinued."Ithinkit'syourbrotherwhoisblushing.I'vethrownhimintoconfusion."

"How?"

Shelaughed,andthen,leaningtohimalittle,saidinatoneasconfidentialasshecouldmakeit,undercoveroftheuproar."BytryingtobeginwithhimacourtshipImeantforYOU!"

ThismightwellbeastylenewtoJim;anditwas.Hesupposeditanonsensicalformofbadinage,andyetittookhisbreath.Herealizedthathewishedwhatshesaidtobetheliteraltruth,andhewasinstantlysnaredbythatrealization.

"ByGeorge!"hesaid."Iguessyou'rethekindofgirlthatcansayanything--yes,andgetawaywithit,too!"

Shelaughedagain--inherway,sothathecouldnottellwhethershe

waslaughingathimoratherselforatthenonsenseshewastalking;andshesaid:"ButyouseeIdon'tcarewhetherIgetawaywithitornot.Iwishyou'dtellmefranklyifyouthinkI'vegotachangetogetawaywithYOU?"

"Morelikeifyou'vegotachancetogetawayFROMme!"Jimwasinspiredtoreply."Notoneintheworld,especiallyafterbeginningbymakingfunofmelikethat."

"Imightn'tbesomuchinfunasyouthink,"shesaid,regardinghimwithsuddengravity.

"Well,"saidJim,insimplehonesty,"you'reafunnygirl!"

Hergravitycontinuedaninstantlonger."ImaynotturnouttobefunnyforYOU."

"Solongasyouturnouttobeanythingatallforme,IexpectIcanmanagetobesatisfied."Andwiththat,tohisownsurprise,itwashisturntoblush,whereuponshelaughedagain.

"Yes,"hesaid,plaintively,notwhollylackingintuition,"Icanseeyou'rethesortofgirlthatwouldlaughtheminuteyouseeaman



reallymeansanything!"

"'Laugh'!"shecried,gaily."Why,itmightbeamatteroflifeanddeath!Butifyouwanttragedy,I'dbetterputthequestionatonce,consideringthemistakeImadewithyourbrother."

Jimwasdazed.Sheseemedtobeplayingalittlegameofmockeryandnonsensewithhim,buthehadglimpsesofaflashingdangerinit;hewasbuttoosensibleofbeingoutclassed,andhadsomewhereaconsciousnessthathecouldneverquiteknowthisgiddyandalluringlady,nomatterhowlongitpleasedhertoplaywithhim.Buthemightilywantedhertokeeponplayingwithhim.

"Putwhatquestion?"hesaid,breathlessly.

"Asyouareanewneighborofmineandofmyfamily,"shereturned,speakingslowlyandwithacross-examiner'sseverity,"Ithinkitwouldbewellformetoknowatoncewhetheryouarealreadywalkingoutwithanyyoungladyornot.Mr.Sheridan,thinkwell!Areyouspokenfor?"

"Notyet,"hegasped."Areyou?"

"NO!"shecried,andwiththattheybothlaughedagain;andthe

pastimeproceeded,increasingbothinitsgaietyandinitsgravity.

Observingitscontinuance,Mr.RobertLamhorn,opposite,turnedfromalivelyconversationwithEdithandremarkedcovertlytoSibylthatMissVertreeswas"startingratherpicturesquelywithJim."Andheadded,languidly,"DoyousupposesheWOULD?"

ForthemomentSibylgavenosignofhavingheardhim,butseemedinterestedintheclaspofalong"rope"ofpearls,aloopofwhichshewasallowingtoswingfromherfingers,restingherelbowuponthetableandfollowingwithhereyesthetwinkleofdiamondsandplatinumintheclaspattheendoftheloop.Sheworemanyjewels.Shewaspretty,butherswasnotthekindofprettinesstobeloadedwithtoo

sumptuousaccessories,andjeweledhead-dressesaredangerous--theymayemphasizethewrongnessofthewearer.

"IsaidMissVertreesseemstobestartingprettystrongwithJim,"repeatedMr.Lamhorn.

"Iheardyou."Therewasalatentdiscontentalwayssomewhereinhereyes,nomatterwhatshethrewuponthesurfaceofcoverit,andjustnowshedidnotcaretocoverit;shelookedsullen."StartinganystrongerthanyoudidwithEdith?"sheinquired.

"Oh,keepthepeace!"hesaid,crossly."That'soff,ofcourse."

"Youhaven'tbeenmakingherseeitthisevening--precisely,"saidSibyl,lookingathimsteadily."You'vetalkedtoherfor--"

"ForHeaven'ssake,"hebegged,"keepthepeace!"

"Well,whathaveyoujustbeendoing?"

"SH!"hesaid."Listentoyourfather-in-law."

Sheridanwasboomingandbrayinglouderthanever,theorchestra



havingbeguntoplay"TheRosary,"tohisvastcontent.

"ICOUNTTHEMOVER,LA-LA-TUM-TEE-DUM,"heroared,beatingthemeasureswithhisfork."EACHHOURAPEARL,EACHPEARLTEE-DUM-TUM-DUM--What'sthematterwithallyoufolks?Why'n'tyouSING?MissVertrees,IbetathousanddollarsYOUsing!Why'n't--"

"Mr.Sheridan,"shesaid,turningcheerfullyfromtheardentJim,"youdon'tknowwhatyouinterrupted!Yoursonisn'tusedtomyroughways,andmysoldier'swooingfrightenshim,butIthinkhewasabouttosaysomethingimportant."

"I'llsaysomethingimportanttohimifhedoesn't!"thefatherthreatened,moredelightedwithherthanever."Bygosh!ifIwashisage--orawidowerrightNOW--"

"Oh,wait!"criedMary."Ifthey'donlymakelessnoice!IwantMrs.Sheridantohear."

"She'dsaythesame,"heshouted."She'dtellmeIwasmightyslowifIcouldn'tgetaheado'Jim.Why,whenIwashisage--"

"Youmustlistentoyourfather,"Maryinterrupted,turningtoJim,whohadgrownreadagain."He'sgoingtotellushow,whenhewas

yourage,hemadethosetwobladesofgrassgrowoutofateacup--andyoucouldseeforyourselfhedidn'tgetthemoutofhissleeve!"

AtthatSheridanpoundedthetabletillitjumped."Lookhere,younglady!"heroared."Someo'thesedaysI'meithergoin'toslapyou--orI'mgoin'tokissyou!"

Edithlookedaghast;shewasafraidthiswasindeed"tooawful,"butMaryVertreesburstintoringinglaughter.

"Both!"shecried."Both!Theonetomakemeforgettheother!"

"Butwhich--"hebegan,andthensuddenlygaveforthsuchstentorian

trumpetingsofmirththatforoncethewholetablestoppedtolisten."Jim,"heroared,"ifyoudon'tproposetothatgirlto-nightI'llsendyoubacktothemachine-shopwithBibbs!"

AndBibbs--downamongtheretainersbythesugarPumpWorks,andwatchingMaryVertreesasaraggedboyinthestreetmightwatcharichlittlegirlinagarden--Bibbsheard.Heheard--andheknewwhathisfather'splanswerenow.

Mrs.Vertrees"satup"forherdaughter,Mr.Vertreeshavingretiredafterarestlessevening,notmuchsoothedbythesocietyofhisLandseers.Maryhadtakenakey,insistingthatheshouldnotcome

forherandseemingconfidentthatshewouldnotlackforescort;nordidthesequelproveherconfidenceunwarranted.ButMrs.Vertreeshadalongvigilofit.

Shewasnotthewomantomakeherselfeasy--noservanthadeverseenherinawrapper--andwithherhairanddressandhershoesjustwhattheyhadbeenwhenshereturnedfromtheafternoon'scall,shesatthroughtheslownighthoursinastifflittlechairunderthegaslightinherownroom,whichwasdirectlyoverthe"fronthall."There,bookinhand,sheemployedthetimeinherownreminiscences,



thoughitwasherbeliefthatshewasreadingMadamedeRemusat's.

Herthoughtswentbackwardintoherlifeandintoherhusband's;andthedeeperintothepasttheywent,thebrighterthepicturestheybroughther--andthereistragedy.Likeherhusband,shethoughtbackwardbecauseshedidnotdarethinkforwarddefinitely.Whatthinkingforwardthistroubledcoupleventuredtooktheformofaslenderhopewhichneitherofthemcouldhavebornetohearputinwords,andyettheyhadtalkeditover,dayafterday,fromtheveryhourwhentheyheardSheridanwastobuildhisNewHousenextdoor.For--soquicklydoesanyidealofhumanbehaviorbecomeanantique--theiryouthwasoftheinnocentolddays,sodead!of"breeding"and"gentility,"andnocrafthadbeenmorestraitlytraineduponthemthanthatoftalkingaboutthingswithoutmentioningthem.HereinwasmarkedthemostvitaldifferencebetweenMr.andMrs.Vertreesandtheirbignewneighbor.Sheridan,thoughhisyouthwasofthesameepoch,knewnothingofsuchmatters.Hehadbeenchoppingwoodforthemorningfireinthecountrygrocerywhiletheywerestilldancing.

Itwasafteroneo'clockwhenMrs.Vertreesheardstepsandthedelicateclinkingofthekeyinthelock,andthen,withtheopeningofthedoor,Mary'slaugh,and"Yes--ifyouaren'tafraid--to-morrow!"

Thedoorclosed,andsherushedup-stairs,bringingwithherabreathofcoldandbracingairintohermother'sroom."Yes,"shesaid,beforeMrs.Vertreescouldspeak,"hebroughtmehome!"

Shelethercloakfalluponthebed,and,drawinganoldred-velvetrocking-chairforward,satbesidehermotheraftergivingheralightpatupontheshoulderandaheartykissuponthecheek.

"Mamma!"Maryexclaimed,whenMrs.Vertreeshadexpressedahopethatshehadenjoyedtheeveningandhadnotcaughtcold."Whydon'tyouaskme?"

Thisinquiryobviouslymadehermotheruncomfortable."Idon't--"

shefaltered."Askyouwhat,Mary?"

"HowIgotalongandwhathe'slike."

"Mary!"

"Oh,itisn'tdistressing!"saidMary."AndIgotalongsofast--"Shebrokeofftolaugh;continuingthen,"Butthat'sthewayIwentatit,ofcourse.WeAREinahurry,aren'twe?"

"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean,"Mrs.Vertreesinsisted,shakingherheadplaintively.

"Yes,"saidMary,"I'mgoingoutinhiscarwithhimto-morrowafternoon,andtothetheaterthenextnight--butIstoppeditthere.Yousee,afteryougivethefirstpush,youmustleaveittothemwhileYOUpretendtorunaway!"

"Mydear,Idon'tknowwhatto--"

"Whattomakeofanything!"Maryfinishedforher."Sothat'sallright!NowI'lltellyouallaboutit.Itwasgorgeousanddeafeningandtee-total.Wecouldhavelivedayearonit.I'mnotgoodat



figures,butIcalculatedthatifwelivedsixmonthsonpooroldCharlieandNedandthestation-wagonandtheVictoria,wecouldmanageatleasttwiceaslongonthecostofthe'house-warming.'Ithinktheorchidsalonewouldhavelastedusacoupleofmonths.Theretheywere,beforeme,butIcouldn'tsteal'emandsell'em,andso--well,soIdidwhatIcould!"

Sheleanedbackandlaughedreassuringlytohertroubledmother."Itseemedtobeasuccess--whatIcould,"shesaid,claspingherhandsbehindherneckandstirringtherockertomotionasarhythmicaccompanimenttohernarrative."ThegirlEdithandhersister-in-law,Mrs.RoscoeSheridan,weretooanxiousabouttheeffectofthingsonme.Thefather'sworthabushelofbothofthem,iftheyknewit.He'swhatheis.Ilikehim."Shepausedreflectively,continuing,"Edith's'interested'inthatLamhornboy;he'sgood-lookingandnotstupid,butIthinkhe's--"Sheinterruptedherselfwithacheeryoutcry:"Oh!Imustn'tbecallinghimnames!Ifhe'stryingtomakeEdithlikehim,Ioughttorespecthimasacolleague."

"Idon'tunderstandathingyou'retalkingabout,"Mrs.Vertreescomplained.

"Allthebetter!Well,he'sabadlot,thatLamhornboy;everybody'salwaysknownthat,buttheSheridansdon'tknowtheeverybodiesthat

know.HesatbetweenEdithandMrs.RoscoeSheridan.SHE'Slikethosepeopleyouwonderedaboutatthetheater,thelasttimewewent--dressedinball-gowns;boundtoshowtheirclothesandjewelsSOMEwhere!Sheflattersthefather,andsodidI,forthatmatter--butnotthatway.Itreatedhimoutrageously!"

"Mary!"

"That'swhatflatteredhim.Afterdinnerhemadethewholeregimentofusfollowhimalloverthehouse,whilehelecturedlikeaguideonthePalatine.Hegavedimensionsandcosts,andthewholeb'ilin'of'emlistenedasiftheythoughtheintendedtomakethemapresentofthehouse.WhathewasproudestofwastheplumbingandthatBay

ofNaplespanoramainthehall.Hemadeuslookatalltheplumbing--bath-roomsandeverywhereelse--andthenhemadeuslookattheBayofNaples.Hesaiditwasahundredandelevenfeetlong,butIthinkit'smore.Andheledusallintotheready-madelibrarytoseeapoemEdithhadtakenaprizewithatschool.They'dhaditprintedingoldlettersandframedinmother-of-pearl.Butthepoemitselfwasrathersimpleandwistfulandnice--hereadittous,thoughEdithtriedtostophim.Shewasmodestaboutit,andsaidshe'dneverwrittenanythingelse.Andthen,afterawhile,Mrs.RoscoeSheridanaskedmetocomeacrossthestreettoherhousewiththem--herhusbandandEdithandMr.LamhornandJimSheridan--"

Mrs.Vertreeswasshocked."'Jim'!"sheexclaimed."Mary,PLEASE--"

"Ofcourse,"saidMary."I'llmakeitaseasyforyouasIcan,mamma.Mr.JamesSheridan,Junior.Wewentoverthere,andMrs.Roscoeexplainedthat'themenwerealldyingforadrink,'thoughInoticedthatMr.Lamhornwastheonlyoneneardeath'sdooronthataccount.EdithandMrs.RoscoesaidtheyknewI'dbeenboredatthedinner.Theywereobjectionablyapologeticaboutit,andtheyseemedtothinkNOWweweregoingtohavea'goodtime'tomakeupforit.ButIhadn'tbeenboredatthedinner,I'dbeenamused;andthe'goodtime'atMrs.Roscoe'swashorribly,horriblystupid."



"But,Mary,"hermotherbegan,"is--is--"Andsheseemedunabletocompletethequestion.

"Nevermind,mamma.I'llsayit.IsMr.JamesSheridan,Junior,stupid?I'msurehe'snotatallstupidaboutbusiness.Otherwise--Oh,whatrighthaveItobecallingpeople'stupid'becausethey'renotexactlymykind?Onthebigdinner-tabletheyhadenormousicingmodelsoftheSheridanBuilding--"

"Oh,no!"Mrs.Vertreescried."Surelynot!"

"Yes,andtwootherthingsofthatkind--Idon'tknowwhat.But,afterall,Iwonderediftheyweresobad.IfI'dbeenatadinneratapalaceinItaly,andarelieforinscriptionononeoftheoldsilverpieceshadreferredtosomegreatdeedorachievementofthefamily,Ishouldn'thavefeltsuperior;I'dhavethoughtitpicturesqueandstately--I'dhavebeenimpressed.Andwhat'stherealdifference?Theicingistemporary,andthat'smuchmoremodest,isn'tit?Andwhyisitvulgartofeelimportantmoreonaccountofsomethingyou'vedoneyourselfthanbecauseofsomethingoneofyourancestorsdid?Besides,ifwegobackafewgenerations,we'veallgotsuchhundredsofancestorsitseemsidiotictogopickingoutoneortwotobeproudofourselvesabout.Well,then,mamma,Imanaged

nottofeelsuperiortoMr.JamesSheridan,Junior,becausehedidn'tseeanythingoutofplaceintheSheridanBuildinginsugar."

Mrs.Vertrees'sexpressionhadlostnoneofitsanxietypendingtheconclusionofthislivelybitofanalysis,andsheshookherheadgravely."Mydear,dearchild,"shesaid,"itseemstome--Itlooks--I'mafraid--"

"Sayasmuchofitasyoucan,mamma,"saidMary,encouragingly."Icangetit,ifyou'lljustgivemeonekey-word."

"Everythingyousay,"Mrs.Vertreesbegan,timidly,"seemstohavetheairof--itisasifyouwereseekingto--tomakeyourself--"

"Oh,Isee!YoumeanIsoundasifIweretryingtoforcemyselftolikehim."

"Notexactly,Mary.Thatwasn'tquitewhatImeant,"saidMrs.Vertrees,speakingdirectuntruthwithperfectunconsciousness."Butyousaidthat--thatyoufoundthelatterpartoftheeveningatyoungMrs.Sheridan'sunentertaining--"

"AndasMr.JamesSheridanwasthere,andIsawmoreofhimthanatdinner,andhadahorriblystupidtimeinspiteofthat,youthinkI--"AndthenitwasMarywholeftthedeductionunfinished.

Mrs.Vertreesnodded;andthoughboththemotherandthedaughterunderstood,Maryfeltitbettertomaketheunderstandingdefinite.

"Well,"sheasked,gravely,"isthereanythingelseIcando?Youandpapadon'twantmetodoanythingthatdistressesme,andso,asthisistheonlythingtobedone,itseemsit'suptomenottoletitdistressme.That'sallthereisaboutit,isn'tit?"

"ButnothingMUSTdistressyou!"themothercried.



"That'swhatIsay!"saidMary,cheerfully."Andsoitdoesn't.It'sallright."Sheroseandtookhercloakoverherarm,asiftogotoherownroom.Butonthewaytothedoorshestopped,andstoodleaningagainstthefootofthebed,contemplatingathreadbarerugatherfeet."Mother,you'vetoldmeathousandtimesthatitdoesn'treallymatterwhomagirlmarries."

"No,no!"Mrs.Vertreesprotested."Ineversaidsucha--"

"No,notinwords;ImeanwhatyouMEANT.It'strue,isn'tit,thatmarriagereallyis'notabedofroses,butafieldofbattle'?Togetrightdowntoit,agirlcouldfightitoutwithanybody,couldn'tshe?Onemanaswellasanother?"

"Oh,mydear!I'msureyourfatherandI--"

"Yes,yes,"saidMary,indulgently."Idon'tmeanyouandpapa.Butisn'titpropinquitythatmakesmarriages?Somanypeoplesayso,theremustbesomethinginit."

"Mary,Ican'tbearforyoutotalklikethat."AndMrs.Vertreesliftedpleadingeyestoherdaughter--eyesthatbeggedtobespared."Itsound--almostreckless!"

Marycaughttheappeal,cametoher,andkissedhergaily."Neverfret,dear!I'mnotlikelytodoanythingIdon'twanttodo--I'vealwaysbeentoothorough-goingalittlepig!AndifitISpropinquitythatdoesourchoosingforus,well,atleastnogirlintheworldcouldaskformorethanTHAT!Howcouldtherebeanymorepropinquitythantheveryhousenextdoor?"

Shegavehermotherafinalkissandwentgailyallthewaytothedoorthistime,pausingforherpostscriptwithherhandontheknob."Oh,theonethatcaughtmelookinginthewindow,mamma,theyoungestone--"

"Didhespeakofit?"Mrs.Vertreesasked,apprehensively.

"No.Hedidn'tspeakatall,thatIsaw,toanyone.Ididn'tmeethim.Butheisn'tinsane,I'msure;orifheis,hehaslongintervalswhenhe'snot.Mr.JamesSheridanmentionedthathelivedathomewhenhewas'wellenough';anditmaybehe'sonlyaninvalid.Helooksdreadfullyill,buthehaspleasanteyes,anditstruckmethatif--ifonewereintheSheridanfamily"--shelaughedalittleruefully--"hemightbeinterestingtotalktosometimes,whentherewastoomuchstocksandbonds.Ididn'tseehimafterdinner."

"Theremustbesomethingwrongwithhim,"saidMrs.Vertrees."They'dhaveintroducedhimiftherewasn't."

"Idon'tknow.He'sbeenillsomuchandawaysomuch--sometimespeoplelikethatjustdon'tseemto'count'inafamily.Hisfatherspokeofsendinghimbacktoamachine-shoporsomesort;Isupposehemeantwhenthepoorthinggetsbetter.Iglancedathimjustthen,whenMr.Sheridanmentionedhim,andhehappenedtobelookingstraightatme;andhewaspathetic-lookingenoughbeforethat,butthemosttragicchangecameoverhim.Heseemedjusttodie,rightthereatthetable!"

"Youmeanwhenhisfatherspokeofsendinghimtotheshopplace?"



"Yes."

"Mr.Sheridanmustbeveryunfeeling."

"No,"saidMary,thoughtfully,"Idon'tthinkheis;buthemightbeuncomprehending,andcertainlyhe'sthekindofmantodoanythingheoncesetsouttodo.ButIwishIhadn'tbeenlookingatthatpoorboyjustthen!I'mafraidI'llkeepremembering--"

"Iwouldn't."Mrs.Vertreessmiledfaintly,andinhersmiletherewastheremotestghostofagenteelroguishness."I'dkeepmymindonpleasanterthings,Mary."

Marylaughedandnodded."Yes,indeed!Plentypleasantenough,andprobably,ifallwereknown,toogood--evenforme!"

AndwhenshehadgoneMrs.Vertreesdrewalongbreath,asifaburdenwereoffhermind,and,smiling,begantoundressinagentlereverie.

Edith,glancingcasuallyintothe"ready-made"library,stoppedabruptly,seeingBibbstherealone.Hewasstandingbeforethepearl-framedandgolden-letteredpoem,musinglyinspectingit.

Hereadit:

FugitiveIwillforgetthethingsthatsting:Thelashinglook,thebarbedword.IknowtheveryhandsthatflingThestonesatmehadneverstirredToangerbutfortheirownscars.They'vesufferedso,that'swhytheystrike.I'llkeepmyheartamongthestarsWherenoneshallhuntitout.Oh,likeThesewoundedonesImustnotbe,For,wounded,Imightstrikeinturn!

So,noneshallhurtme.FarandfreeWheremyheartfliesnooneshalllearn.

"Bibbs!"Edith'svoicewasangry,andhercolordeepenedsuddenlyasshecameintotheroom,precededbyascentofvioletsmuchmorepowerfulthanthatwarrantedbytheactualbunchofthemuponthelapelofhercoat.

Bibbsdidnotturnhishead,butwaggeditsolemnly,seemingdepressedbythepoem."Prettyyoung,isn'tit?"hesaid."Theremusthavebeensomethingaboutyourlooksthatgottheprize,Edith;Ican'tbelievethepoemdidit."

Sheglancedhurriedlyoverhershoulderandspokesharply,butinalowvoice:"Idon'tthinkit'sveryniceofyoutobringitupatall,Bibbs.I'dlikeachancetoforgetthewholesillybusiness.Ididn'twantthemtoframeit,andIwishtogoodnesspapa'dquittalkingaboutit;buthere,thatnight,afterthedinner,didn'thegoandreaditaloudtothewholecrowdof'em!AndthentheyallwantedtoknowwhatotherpoemsI'dwrittenandwhyIdidn'tkeepitupandwritesomemore,andifIdidn't,whydidn'tI,andwhythisandwhythat,tillIthoughtI'ddieofshame!"



"Youcouldtell'emyouhadwriter'scramp,"Bibbssuggested.

"Icouldn'ttell'emanything!Ijustchokewithmortificationeverytimeanybodyspeaksofthething."

Bibbslookedgrieved."Thepoemisn'tTHATbad,Edith.Yousee,youwereonlyseventeenwhenyouwroteit."

"Oh,hushup!"shesnapped."IwishithadburntmyfingersthefirsttimeItouchedit.ThenImighthavehadsenseenoughtoleaveitwhereitwas.Ihadnobusinesstotakeit,andI'vebeenashamed--"

"No,no,"hesaid,comfortingly."Itwastheverymostflatteringthingeverhappentome.ItwasalmostmylastflightbeforeIwenttothemachine-shop,andit'spleasanttothinksomebodylikeditenoughto--"

"ButIDON'Tlikeit!"sheexclaimed."Idon'tevenunderstandit--andpapamadesomuchfussoveritsgettingtheprize,Ijusthateit!ThetruthisIneverdreamedit'dgettheprize."

"Maybetheyexpectedfathertoendowtheschool,"Bibbsmurmured.

"Well,Ihadtohavesomethingtoturnin,andIcouldn'twritea

LINE!Ihatepoetry,anyhow;andBobbyLamhorn'salwaysteasingmeabouthowI'keepmyheartamongthestars.'Hemakesitseemsuchamushykindofthing,thewayhesaysit.Ihateit!"

"You'llhavetoliveitdown,Edith.Perhapsabroadandunderanothernameyoumightfind--"

"Oh,hushup!I'llhiresomeonetostealitandburnitthefirstchanceIget."Sheturnedawaypetulantly,movingtothedoor."I'dliketothinkIcouldhopetohearthelastofitbeforeIdie!"

"Edith!"hecalled,asshewentintothehall.

"What'sthematter?"

"Iwanttoaskyou:DoIreallylookbetter,orhaveyoujustgotusedtome?"

"Whatonearthdoyoumean?"shesaid,comingbackasfarasthethreshold.

"WhenIfirstcameyoucouldn'tlookatme,"Bibbsexplained,inhisimpersonalway."ButI'venoticedyoulookatmelately.IwonderedifI'd--"

"It'sbecauseyoulooksomuchbetter,"shetoldhim,cheerfully.

"Thismonthyou'vebeenhere'sdoneyounoendofgood.It'sthechange."

"Yes,that'swhattheysaidatthesanitarium--thechange."

"Youlookworsethan'mostanybodyIeversaw,"saidEdith,withsupremecandor."ButIdon'tknowmuchaboutit.I'veneverseenacorpseinmylife,andI'veneverevenseenanybodythatwasterriblysick,soyoumustn'tjudgebyme.Ionlyknowyoudolookbetter,I'mgladtosay.Butyou'rerightaboutmynotbeingabletolook



atyouatfirst.Youhadakindofwhitenessthat--Well,you'realmostasthin,Isuppose,butyou'vegotmorejustordinarilypale;notthatghastlylook.Anybodycouldlookatyounow,Bibbs,andno--notget--"

"Sick?"

"Well--almostthat!"shelaughed."Andyou'regettingabettercoloreveryday,Bibbs;youreallyare.You'regettingalongsplendidly."

"I--I'mafraidso,"hesaid,ruefully.

"'Afraidso'!Well,ifyouaren'tthequeerest!Isupposeyoumeanfathermightsendyoubacktothemachine-shopifyougetwellenough.Iheardhimsaysomethingaboutitthenightofthe--"Thejingleofadistantbellinterruptedher,andsheglancedatherwatch."BobbyLamhorn!I'mgoingtomotorhimouttolookataplaceinthecountry.Afternoon,Bibbs!"

Whenshehadgone,Bibbsmoonedpessimisticallyfromshelftoshelf,hiseyewanderingamongthetitlesofthebooks.Thelibraryconsistedalmostentirelyofhandsome"uniformeditions":Irving,Poe,Cooper,Goldsmith,Scott,Byron,Burns,Longfellow,Tennyson,Hume,Gibbon,Prescott,Thackeray,Dickens,DeMusset,Balzac,

Gautier,Flaubert,Goethe,Schiller,Dante,andTasso.Therewereshelvesandshelvesofencyclopedias,ofanthologies,of"famousclassics,"of"Orientalmasterpieces,"of"masterpiecesoforatory,"andmoreshelvesof"selectedlibraries"of"literature,"of"thedrama,"andof"modernscience."Theymadeaneffectivedecorationfortheroom,allthesebig,expensivebooks,withaglossybindinghereandtheretwinklingareflectionoftheflamesthatcrackledinthesplendidGothicfireplace;butBibbshadanimpressionthatthebooksellerwhoselectedthemconsideredthemarelief,andthatwhite-jacketconsideredthemaburdenofdust,andthatnobodyelseconsideredthematall.Himself,hedisturbednotone.

Therecameachimeofbellsfromaclockinanotherpartofthehouse,

andwhite-jacketappearedbeaminglyinthedoorway,bearingfurs."Awready,Mist'Bibbs,"heannounced."You'masaywrapupwawmf'you'ride,an'shecain'gowithyouto-day,an'notf'gitgoseeyou'paatfo''clock.Awready,suh."

HeequippedBibbsforthedailydriveDr.Gurneyhadcommanded;andinthemannerofamasterofceremoniesunctuouslyledtheway.InthehalltheypassedtheMoor,andBibbspausedbeforeitwhilewhite-jacketopenedthedoorwithaflourishandwavedcondescendinglytothechauffeurinthecarwhichstoodwaitinginthedriveway.

"ItseemstomeIaskedyouwhatyouthoughtaboutthis'statue'whenIfirstcamehome,George,"saidBibbs,thoughtfully."Whatdidyou

tellme?"

"Yessuh!"Georgechuckled,perfectlyunderstandingthatforsomeunknownreasonBibbsenjoyedhearinghimrepeathisopinionoftheMoor."Youastmewhenyoufirs'comehome,an'youastmenex'day,an'mightynearev'ydayalltimeyoubeenhere;an'las'Sundayyouastmetwicet."Heshookhisheadsolemnly."Looktomemus'besomep'mmightlamiDAL'bout'atstatue!"

"Mightywhat?"





"What'sthetrouble?"

"I'malmostsurepeoplenoticeitwhenIbowtothem."

"Oh,Isee!"saidJim."Ofcoursetheywouldordinarily,butBibbsisfunny."

"Ishe?How?"sheasked."Hestrikesmeasanythingbutfunny."

"Well,I'mhisbrother,"Jimsaid,deprecatingly,"butIdon'tknowwhathe'slike,and,totellthetruth,I'veneverfeltexactlylikeIWAShisbrother,thewayIdoRoscoe.Bibbsneverdidseemmorethanhalfalivetome.OfcourseRoscoeandIareolder,andwhenwewereboysweweretoobigtoplaywithhim,butheneverplayedanyway,withboyshisownage.He'dratherjustsitinthehouseandmopearoundbyhimself.NobodycouldevergethimtoDOanything;youcan'tgethimtodoanythingnow.HeneverhadanyLIFEinhim;andhonestly,ifheismybrother,ImustsayIbelieveBibbsSheridanisthelaziestmanGodevermade!Fatherputhiminthemachine-shopoveratthePumpWorks--bestthingintheworldforhim--andhewasjustplainnoaccount.Itmadehimsick!Ifhe'dhadtherightkindofenergy--thekindfather'sgot,forinstance,orRoscoe,either--why,itwouldn'thavemadehimsick.Andsupposeitwaseitherofthem--yes,orme,either--doyouthinkanyofuswouldhavestopped

ifweWEREsick?Notmuch!Ihatetosayit,butBibbsSheridan'llneveramounttoanythingaslongashelives."

Marylookedthoughtful."Isthereanyparticularreasonwhyheshould?"sheasked.

"Goodgracious!"heexclaimed."Youdon'tmeanthat,doyou?Don'tyoubelieveinaman'sknowinghowtoearnhissalt,nomatterhowmuchmoneyhisfather'sgot?Hasn'tthebusinessofthisworldgottobecarriedonbyeverybodyinit?Arewegoingtolaybackonwhatwe'vegotandseeotherfellowsgetaheadofus?Ifwe'vegotbigthingsalready,isn'titeveryman'sbusinesstogoaheadandmake'embigger?Isn'tithisduty?Don'twealwayswanttoget

biggerandbigger?"

"Ye-es--Idon'tknow.ButIfeelrathersorryforyourbrother.Helookedsolonely--andsick."

"He'sgettin'bettereveryday,"Jimsaid."Dr.Gurneysaysso.There'snothingmuchthematterwithhim,really--it'snine-tenthsimaginary.'Nerves'!Peoplethatarewillingtobebusydon'thavenervousdiseases,becausetheydon'thavetimetoimagine'em."

"Youmeanhistroubleisreallymental?"

"Oh,he'snotalunatic,"saidJim."He'sjustqueer.Sometimes

he'llsaysomethingrightbright,buthalfthetimewhathesaysis'wayoffthesubject,orelsethereisn'tanysensetoitatall.Forinstance,theotherdayIheardhimtalkin'tooneofthedarkiesinthehall.Thedarkyaskedhimwhattimehewantedthecarforhisdrive,andanybodyelseintheworldwouldhavejustsaidwhattimetheyDIDwantit,andthatwouldhavebeenalltherewastoit;buthere'swhatBibbssays,andIheardhimwithmyownears.'WhattimedoIwantthecar?'hesays.'Well,now,thatdepends--thatdepends,'hesays.Hetalksslowlikethat,youknow.'I'lltellyouwhattimeIwantthecar,George,'hesays,'ifyou'lltellMEwhatyouthink



ofthisstatue!'That'sexactlyhiswords!AskedthedarkywhathethoughtofthatArabEdithandmotherboughtforthehall!"

Marypondereduponthis."Hemighthavebeeninfun,perhaps,"shesuggested.

"Askin'adarkywhathethoughtofapieceofstatuary--ofaworkofart!Whereonearthwouldbethefunofthat?No,you'rejustkind-hearted--andthat'sthewayyouOUGHTtobe,ofcourse--"

"Thankyou,Mr.Sheridan!"shelaughed.

"Seehere!"hecried."Isn'tthereanywayforustogetoverthisMisterandMissthing?Amonth'sgotthirty-onedaysinit;I'vemanagedtobewithyouapartofprettynearallthethirty-one,andIthinkyouknowhowIfeelbythistime--"

Shelookedpanic-strickenimmediately."Oh,no,"sheprotested,quickly."No,Idon't,and--"

"Yes,youdo,"hesaid,andhisvoiceshookalittle."Youcouldn'thelpknowing."

"ButIdo!"shedenied,hurriedly."Idohelpknowing.Imean--Oh,

wait!"

"Whatfor?YoudoknowhowIfeel,andyou--well,you'vecertainlyWANTEDmetofeelthatway--orelsepretended--"

"Now,now!"shelamented."You'respoilingsuchacheerfulafternoon!"

"'Spoilin'it!'"Hesloweddownthecarandturnedhisfacetohersquarely."Seehere,MissVertrees,haven'tyou--"

"Stop!Stopthecaraminute."Andwhenhehadcompliedshefacedhimassquarelyasheevidentlydesiredhertofacehim."Listen.

Idon'twantyoutogoon,to-day."

"Whynot?"heasked,sharply.

"Idon'tknow."

"Youmeanit'sjustawhim?"

"Idon'tknow,"sherepeated.Hervoicewaslowandtroubledandhonest,andshekepthercleareyesuponhis.

"Willyoutellmesomething?"

"Almostanything."

"Haveyouevertoldanymanyoulovedhim?"

Andatthat,thoughshelaughed,shelookedalittlecontemptuous."No,"shesaid."AndIdon'tthinkIevershalltellanymanthat--oreverknowwhatitmeans.I'minearnest,Mr.Sheridan."

"Thenyou--you'vejustbeenflirtingwithme!"PoorJimlookedbothfuriousandcrestfallen.



"Notonbit!"shecried."Notoneword!Notonesyllable!I'vemeanteverysinglething!"

"Idon't--"

"Ofcourseyoudon't!"shesaid."Now,Mr.Sheridan,Iwantyoutostartthecar.Now!Thankyou.Slowly,tillIfinishwhatIhavetosay.Ihavenotflirtedwithyou.Ihavedeliberatelycourtedyou.Onethingmore,andthenIwantyoutotakemestraighthome,talkingabouttheweatheralltheway.IsaidthatIdonotbelieveIshallever'care'foranyman,andthatistrue.Idoubttheexistenceofthekindof'caring'wehearaboutinpoemsandplaysandnovels.IthinkitmustbejustakindofemotionalTALK--mostofit.Atallevents,Idon'tfeelit.Now,wecangofaster,please."

"Justwheredoesthatletmeout?"hedemanded."Howdoesthatexcuseyoufor--"

"Itisn'tanexcuse,"shesaid,gently,andgavehimonefinallook,whollydesolate."Ihaven'tsaidIshouldnevermarry."

"What?"Jimgasped.

Sheinclinedherheadinabrokensortofacquiescence,veryhumble,unfathomablysorrowful.

"Ipromisenothing,"shesaid,faintly.

"Youneedn't!"shoutedJim,radiantandexultant."Youneedn't!ByGeorge!Iknowyou'resquare;that'senoughforme!Youwaitandpromisewheneveryou'reready!"

"Don'tforgetwhatIasked,"shebeggedhim.

"Talkabouttheweather?Iwill!Godblesstheoldweather!"cried

thehappyJim.

ThroughtheopencountryBibbswasborneflyingbetweenbrownfieldsandsun-fleckedgrovesofgraytrees,tobreathetherushing,cleanairbeneathaglorioussky--thatskysodespisedinthecity,andsomaltreatedthere,thatfromearlyOctobertomid-Mayitwasimpossibleformentorememberthatblueistherightfulcoloroverhead.

UponeachofBibbs'scheekstherewasahintofsomethingalmostresemblingapinkishness;notactualcolor,butundeniablyitsphantom.Howlargelythisapparitionmayhavebeentheworkofthewinduponhisfaceitisdifficulttocalculate,forbeyondadoubt

itwaspartlytheresultofalady'sbowingtohimuponnomoreformalintroductionthanthecircumstanceofhishavingcaughtherlookingintohiswindowamonthbefore.Shehadboweddefinitely;shehadbowedcharmingly.AnditseemedtoBibbsthatshemusthavemeanttoconveyherforgiveness.

Therehadbeensomethinginherrecognitionofhimunfamiliartohisexperience,andherodethewarmerforit.Nordidhelacktheimpressionthathewouldlongrememberherashehadjustseenher:herveiltumultuouslyblowingback,herfaceglowinginthewind



--andthatlookofgayfriendlinesstossedtohimlikeafreshroseincarnival.

Byandby,uponarisingground,thedriverhaltedthecar,thenbackedandtacked,andsentitforwardagainwithitsnosetothesouthandthesmoke.FarbeforehimBibbssawthegreatsmudgeuponthehorizon,thatnestofcloudinwhichthecitystroveandpantedlikeanengineshroudedinitsownsteam.ButtoBibbs,whohadnowtogototheveryheartofit,foracommandedinterviewwithhisfather,thedistantcloudwaslikeanimplacablegeniusissuingthunderouslyinsmokefromhisenchantedbottle,andirresistiblydrawingBibbsnearerandnearer.

Theypassedfromthefarmlands,andcame,intheamberlightofNovemberlateafternoon,tothefarthermostoutskirtsofthecity;andheretheskyshimmereduponthevergeofchangefrombluetogray;thesmokedidnotvisiblypermeatetheair,butitwasthere,nevertheless--impalpable,thin,nomorethanthedustofsmoke.Andthen,asthecardroveon,thechimneysandstacksoffactoriescameswimmingupintoviewlikemilesofsteamersadvancingabreast,everyfunnelwithitsvastplume,savageandblack,sweepingtothehorizon,drippingwealthanddirtandsuffocationoverleagueonleaguealreadyrichandvilewithgrime.

Theskyhadbecomeonlyadingythickeningofthesoiledair;andaroarandclangorofmetalsbeatdeafeninglyonBibbs'sears.Andnowthecarpassedtwogreatblocksoflongbrickbuildings,hideousinallwayspossibletomakethemhideous;doorwaysshowingdarkonemomentandluridthenextwiththeleapofsomevirulentinteriorflame,revealingblackenedgiants,halfnaked,inpassionateaction,strugglingwithformlessthingsinthehotillumination.Andbigastheseshopswere,theyweregrowingbigger,spreadingoverathirdblock,wheretwonewstructuresweremushroomingtocompletioninsomehastycementprocessofastabilitynotover-reassuring.Bibbspulledtherugcloserabouthim,andnoteventhephantomofcolorwasleftuponhischeeksashepassedthisplace,forheknewittoowell.Acrossthefaceofoneofthebuildingstherewasan

enormoussign:"SheridanAutomaticPumpCo.,Inc."

Thencetheywentthroughstreetsofwoodenhouses,allgrimed,andaddingtheirowngrimefrommanyasootychimney;flimseywoodenhousesofathousandflimsywhimsiesinthefashioning,builtonnarrowlotsandnudgingoneanothercrossly,shuttingoutthestingysunlightfromoneanother;badneighborswhowoulddestroyoneanotherrootandbranchsomenightwhentherightwindblew.Theywereonlywaitingforthatwindandacigarette,andthentheywouldallbegonetogether--apinchofincenseburneduponthetripodofthegod.

Alongthesestreetstherewereskinnyshade-trees,andhereandthereaforestelmorwalnuthadbeenleft;buttheseweredying.Some

peoplesaiditwasthescale;somesaiditwasthesmoke;andsomeweresurethatasphaltand"improving"thestreetsdidit;butBignesswasintooBigahurrytobothermuchabouttrees.Hehadtelegraph-polesandtelephone-polesandelectric-light-polesandtrolley-polesbythethousandtotaketheirplaces.Soheletthetreesdieandputuphispoles.Theywerehideous,butnobodymindedthat;andsometimesthewiresfellandkilledpeople--butnotoftenenoughtomatteratall.

ThenceonwardthecarboreBibbsthroughtheolderpartsofthe



townwherethefewsolidoldhousesnotalreadydemolishedwereintransition:some,withtheirfrontstornaway,werebeingmadeintosegmentsofapartment-buildings;othershadgoneuproariouslyintotrade,brazenlyputtingforth"show-windows"ontheirfirstfloors,seemingtomeanitforajoke;oneortwowithunalteredfacadespeepedhumorouslyoverthetopsoftemporaryofficebuildingsofonestoryerectedintheoldfrontyards.Altogether,thetownherewaslikeaboarding-househashtheSundayafterThanksgiving;theoldingredientswerediscernible.

ThiswasthefringeofBigness'sownsanctuary,andnowBibbsreachedtheroaringholyofholiesitself.Thecarmuststopaeverycrossingwhilethedark-garbedcrowds,envelopedinmaelstromsofdust,hurriedbeforeit.Magnificentnewbuildings,alreadydingy,loomedhundredsoffeetabovehim;newerones,moremagnificent,wererisingbesidethem,risinghigher;oldbuildingswerecomingdown;middle-agedbuildingswerecomingdown;thestreetswerelaidopentotheirentrailsandmenworkedundergroundbetweenpalisades,andoverheadinmetalcobwebslikespidersinthesky.Trolley-carsandlonginterurbancars,builttosplitthewindliketorpedo-boats,clangedandshriekedtheirwayroundswarmingcorners;motor-carsofeverykindandshapeknowntomanbabbledfrightfulwarningsandfranticdemands;hospitalambulancesclamoredwildlyforpassage;steam-whistlessignaledtheswingingoftitanictentacleandclaw;

rivetersrattledlikemachine-guns;thegroundshooktothethunderofgigantictrucks;andtheconglomeratesoundofitallwasthesoundofearthquakeplayingaccompanimentsforbattleandsuddendeath.Ononeofthenewsteelbuildingsnoworkwasbeingdonethatafternoon.Thebuildinghadkilledamaninthemorning--andthesteel-workersalwaysstopforthedaywhenthat"happens."

Andinthehurryingcrowds,swirlingandsiftingthroughthebrobdingnagiancampofironandsteel,onesawthecamp-followersandthepaganwomen--therewouldbeworkto-dayanddancingto-night.ForthePuritan'sdryvoiceisbutthecracklingofaleafunderfootintherushandroarofthecomingofthenewEgypt.

Bibbswasontime.Heknewitmustbe"totheminute"orhisfatherwouldconsideritanoutrage;andthebigchronometerinSheridan'sofficemarkedfourpreciselywhenBibbswalkedin.Coincidentallywithhisentrancefivepeoplewhohadbeenatworkintheoffice,underSheridan'sdirection,walkedout.Theydeparteduponnovisibleoraudiblesuggestion,andwithapromptnessthatseemedominoustothenew-comer.Asthemassivedoorclickedsoftlybehindtheelderlystenographer,thelastoftheprocession,Bibbshadafeelingthattheyallunderstoodthathewasafailureasagreatman'sson,adisappointment,the"queerone"ofthefamily,andthathehadbeensummonedtojudgment--awell-foundedimpression,forthatwasexactlywhattheyunderstood.

"Sitdown,"saidSheridan.

Itisfrequentlyanadvantagefordeans,school-masters,andworriedfatherstoplacedelinquentsinthesitting-posture.Bibbssat.

Sheridan,standing,gazedenigmaticallyuponhissonforaperiodofsilence,thenwalkedslowlytoawindowandstoodlookingoutofit,hisbighands,looselyhookedtogetherbythethumbs,behindhisback.Theyweresoiled,aswereallotherhandsdown-town,exceptsuchasmightbestilldampfromabasin.



"Well,Bibbs,"hesaidatlast,notalteringhisattitude,"doyouknowwhatI'mgoin'todowithyou?"

Bibbs,leaningbackinhischair,fixedhiseyescontemplativelyupontheceiling."IheardyoutellJim,"hebegan,inhisslowway."Yousaidyou'dsendhimtothemachine-shopwithmeifhedidn'tproposetoMissVertrees.SoIsupposethatmustbeyourplanforme.But--"

"Butwhat?"saidSheridan,irritably,asthesonpaused.

"Isn'ttheresomebodyyou'dletMEproposeto?"

Thatbroughthisfathersharplyroundtofacehim."Youbeatthedevil!Bibbs,whatISthematterwithyou?Whycan'tyoubelikeanybodyelse?"

"Liver,maybe,"saidBibbs,gently.

"Boh!EvenoleDocGurneysaysthere'snothin'wrongwithyouorganically.No.You'readreamer,Bibbs;that'swhat'sthematter,andthat'sALLthematter.Oh,nooneo'theseBIGdreamersthatputthroughthebigdeals!No,sir!You'rethekindo'dreamerthatjustsetsoutonthebackfenceandthinksabouthowmuchtrouble

theremustbeintheworld!Thatain'tthekindthatbuildsthebridges,Bibbs;it'sthekindthatborrowsfifteencentsfromhiswife'suncle'sbrother-in-lawtogettencent'swortho'plugtobaccoandanickel'swortho'quinine!"

Heputthefinishingtouchonthisetchingwithasnort,andturnedagaintothewindow.

"Lookoutthere!"hebadehisson."Lookouto'thatwindow!Lookatthelifeandevergydownthere!IshouldthinkANYyoungman'sbloodwouldtingletogetintoitandbepartofit.Lookatthebigthingsyoungmenaredoin'inthistown!"Heswungabout,comingtothemahoganydeskinthemiddleoftheroom."LookatwhatIwasdoin'at

yourage!Lookatwhatyourownbrothersaredoin'!LookatRoscoe!Yes,andlookatJim!ImadeJimpresidento'theSheridanRealtyCompanylastNew-Year's,withchargeofeveryincho'groundandeverybrickandeveryshingleandsticko'woodweown;andit'sanexampletoanyyoungman--oroleman,either--thewayhetookaholdofit.LastJulywefoundoutwewantedtwomorebigwarehousesatthePumpWorks--wanted'emquick.Contractorssaiditcouldn'tbedone;saidnineortenmonthsatthesoonest;couldn'tseeitanyotherway.What'dJimdo?Tookthecontracthimself;foundafellowwithanewcementandconcreteprocess;keptmenonthejobnightandday,andstayedonitnightanddayhimself--and,byGeorge!webegintoUSEthemwarehousesnextweek!Fourmonthsandahalf,andeveryinchfireproof!ItellyouJim'soneo'thesefellersthatmakemiracles

happen!Now,Idon'tsayeveryyoungmancanbelikeJim,becausethere'smightyfewgothisability,buteveryyoungmancangoinanddohisshare.ThistownisGod'sowncountry,andthere'sopportunityforanybodywithapoundofenergyandanounceo'gumption.ItellyoutheseyoungbusinessmenIwatchjustdomyheartgood!THEYdon'tsetaroundonthebackfence--no,sir!Theytakeenoughexercisetokeeptheirhealth;andtheygotoabaseballgameonceortwiceaweekinsummer,maybe,andthey'reraisin'nicefamilies,withsonstotaketheirplacessometimeandcarryonthework--becausethework'sgottogoON!They'reputtin'theirlife-bloodintoit,I



tellyou,andthat'swhywe'regettin'biggereveryminute,andwhyTHEY'REgettin'bigger,andwhyit'sallgoin'tokeepONgettin'bigger!"

Heslappedthedeskresoundinglywithhisopenpalm,andthen,observingthatBibbsremainedinthesameimpassiveattitude,withhiseyesstillfixedupontheceilinginacontemplationsomewhatplaintive,Sheridanwasimpelledtogroan."Oh,Lord!"hesaid."Thisisthewayyoualwayswere.Idon'tbelieveyouunderstoodadarnwordIbeensayin'!Youdon'tLOOKasifyoudid.ByGeorge!it'sdiscouraging!"

"Idon'tunderstandaboutgetting--aboutgettingbigger,"saidBibbs,bringinghisgazedowntolookathisfatherplacatively."Idon'tseejustwhy--"

"WHAT?"Sheridanleanedforward,restinghishandsuponthedeskandstaringacrossitincredulouslyathisson.

"Idon'tunderstand--exactly--whatyouwantitallbiggerfor?"

"GreatGod!"shoutedSheridan,andstruckthedeskablowwithhisclenchedfist."Asonofmineasksmethat!Yougooutandaskthepoorestday-laboreryoucanfind!Askhimthatquestion--"

"Ididonce,"Bibbsinterrupted;"whenIwasinthemachine-shop.I--"

"Wha'dhesay?"

"Hesaid,'Oh,hell!'"answeredBibbs,mildly.

"Yes,Ireckonhewould!"Sheridanswungawayfromthedesk."Ireckonhecertainlywould!AndIgotplentysympathywithhimrightnow,myself!"

"It'sthesameanswer,then?"Bibbs'svoicewasserious,almost

tremulous.

"Damnation!"Sheridanroared."DidyoueverhearthewordProsperity,youninny?DidyoueverhearthewordAmbition?DidyoueverhearthewordPROGRESS?"

Heflunghimselfintoachairaftertheoutburst,hisbigchestsurging,histhroattumultuouswithgutteralincoherences."Nowthen,"hesaid,huskily,whentheanguishhadsomewhatabated,"whatdoyouwanttodo?"

"Sir?"

"WhatdoyouWANTtodo,Isaid."

Takenbysurprise,Bibbsstammered."What--whatdo--I--what--"

"IfI'dletyoudoexactlywhatyouhadthewhimfor,whatwouldyoudo?"

Bibbslookedstartled;thentimidityoverwhelmedhim--aprofoundshyness.Hebenthisheadandfixedhisloweredeyesuponthetoeofhisshoe,whichhemovedtoandfroupontherug,likeaculprit



calledtothedeskinschool.

"Whatwouldyoudo?Loaf?"

"No,sir."Bibbs'svoicewasalmostinaudible,andwhatlittlesounditmadewasunquestionablyaguiltysound."IsupposeI'd--I'd--"

"Well?"

"IsupposeI'dtryto--towrite."

"Writewhat?"

"Nothingimportant--justpoemsandessays,perhaps."

"Thatall?"

"Yes,sir."

"Isee,"saidhisfather,breathingquicklywiththerestrainthewasputtinguponhimself."Thatis,youwanttowrite,butyoudon'twanttowriteanythingofanyaccount."

"Youthink--"

Sheridangotupagain."Itakemyhatofftothemanthatcanwriteagoodad,"hesaid,emphatically."Thebestwritin'talentinthiscountryisrightspangintheadbusinessto-day.Youbuyamagazineforgoodwritin'--lookonthebackofit!LetmetellyouIpaymoneyforthatkindo'writin'.Maybeyouthinkit'seasy.Justtryit!I'vetriedit,andIcan'tdoit.Itellyouanad'sgottobewrittensoitmakespeopledothehardestthinginthisworldtoGET'emtodo:it'sgottomake'emgiveuptheirMONEY!Youtalkabout'poemsandessays.'Itellyouwhenitcomestotheactualskillo'puttin'wordstogethersoastomakethingsHAPPEN,R.T.Bloss,righthereinthiscity,knowsmoreinaminutethanGeorgeWaldoEmersoneverknewinhiswholelife!"

"You--youmaybe--"Bibbssaid,indistinctly,thelastwordsmotheredinacough.

"OfCOURSEI'mright!Andifitain'tjustlikeyoutowanttotakeupwiththemostout-o'-datekindo'writin'thereis!'Poemsandessays'!MyLord,Bibbs,that'sWOMEN'Swork!Youcan'tpickupanewspaperwithouthavin'toseewhereMrs.Rumskididlereadapaperon'JaneEyre,'or'EastLynne,'attheGod-Knows-WhatClub.And'poetry'!Why,lookatEdith!Iexpectthatpoemo'herswouldsetaprettyhigh-watermarkforyou,youngman,andit'stheonlyoneshe'severmanagedtowriteinherwholeLIFE!WhenIwantedhertogoonandwritesomemoreshesaidittooktoomuchtime.Saidit

tookmonthsandmonths.AndEdith'sasmartgirl;she'sgotmoreenergyinherlittlefingerthanyouevergivemeachancetoseeinyourwholebody,Bibbs.Nowlookatthefacts:sayshecouldturnoutfourorfivepoemsayearandyoucouldturnoutmaybetwo.Thatmedalshegotwasworthaboutfifteendollars,sothere'syourincome--thirtydollarsayear!That'safinesuccesstomakeofyourlife!I'mnotsayin'awordagainstpoetry.Iwouldn'ttaketenthousanddollarsrightnowforthatpoemofEdith's;andpoetry'sallrightenoughinitsplace--butyouleaveittothegirls.Aman'sgottodoaman'sworkinthisworld!"



Heseatedhimselfinachairathisson'ssideand,leaningover,tappedBibbsconfidentiallyontheknee."Thiscity'sgotthegreatestfutureinAmerica,andifmysonsbehaverightbymeandbythemselvesthey'regoin'tohaveamightyfairshareofit--amightyfairshare.Ilovethistown.It'sGod'sownfootstool,andit'smademoneyformeeverydayrightalong,Idon'tknowhowmanyyears.IloveitlikeIdomyownbusiness,andI'dfightforitasquickasI'dfightformyownfamily.It'sabeautifultown.Lookatourwholesaledistrict;lookatanydistrictyouwantto;lookattheparksystemwe'reputtin'through,andtheboulevardsandthepublicstatuary.Andshegrows.God!howshegrows!"Hehadbecomeintenselygrave;hespokewithsolemnity."Now,Bibbs,Ican'ttakeanyofit--noranygoldorsilvernorbuildingsnorbonds--awaywithmeinmyshroudwhenIhavetogo.ButIwanttoleavemyshareinittomyboys.I'veworkedforit;I'vebeenabuilderandamaker;andtwobladesofgrasshavegrownwhereonegrewbefore,wheneverIlaidmyhandonthegroundandwilled'emtogrow.I'vebuiltbig,andIwantthebuildin'togoon.AndwhenmylasthourcomesIwanttoknowthatmyboysarereadytotakecharge;thatthey'refittotakechargeandgoONwithit.Bibbs,whenthathourcomesIwanttoknowthatmyboysarebigmen,readyandfittoholdofbigthings.Bibbs,whenI'mupaboveIwanttoknowthatthebigshareI'vemademine,herebelow,isgrowin'biggerandbiggerinthechargeofmy

boys."

Heleanedback,deeplymoved."There!"hesaid,huskily."I'veneverspokenmorewhatwasinmyheartinmylife.IdoitbecauseIwantyoutounderstand--andnotthinkmeameanfather.IneverhadtotalkthatwaytoJimandRoscoe.Theyunderstoodwithoutanytalk,Bibbs."

"Isee,"saidBibbs."AtleastIthinkIdo.But--"

"Waitaminute!"Sheridanraisedhishand."Ifyouseetheleastbitintheworld,thenyouunderstandhowitfeelstometohavemysonsethereandtalkabout'poemsandessays'andsuch-likefooleries.

Andyoumustunderstand,too,whatitmeanttostartoneo'myboysandhavehimcomebackonmethewayyoudid,andhavetobesenttoasanitariumbecausehecouldn'tstandwork.Now,let'sgetrightdowntoit,Bibbs.I'vehadawholeloto'talkwitholeDocGurneyaboutyou,onetimeanother,andIreckonIunderstandyourcasejustaboutaswellashedoes,anyway!Nowhere,I'llbefrankwithyou.IstartedyouinharderthanwhatIdidtheotherboys,andthatwasforyourowngood,becauseIsawyouneededtobeshookupmore'ntheydid.Youwerealwayskindofmoodyandmopish--andyouneededworkthat'dkeepyouonthejump.Now,whydiditmakeyousickinsteadofbraceyouupandmakeamanofyouthewayitoughtofdone?IpinnedoleGurneydowntoit.Isays,'Lookhere,ain'titreallybecausehejustplainhatedit?''Yes,'hesays,'that'sit.

Ifhe'denjoyedit,itwouldn't'a'hurthim.Heloathesit,andthataffectshisnervoussystem.Themorehetriesit,themorehehatesit;andthemorehehatesit,themoreinjuryitdoeshim.'Thatain'tquitehiswords,butit'swhathemeant.Andthat'saboutthewayitis."

"Yes,"saidBibbs,"that'saboutthewayitis."

"Well,then,Ireckonit'suptomenotonlytomakeyoudoit,buttomakeyoulikeit!"



Bibbsshivered.Andheturneduponhisfatheralookthatwasalmostghostly."Ican't,"hesaid,inalowvoice."Ican't."

"Can'tgobacktotheshop?"

"No.Can'tlikeit.Ican't."

Sheridanjumpedup,hispatiencegone.Tohisownview,hehadreasonedexhaustively,hadexplainedfullyandhadpleadedmorethanafathershould,onlytobemetintheendwiththeunreasoningandmysteriousstubbornnesswhichhadbeenBibbs'sbafflingcharacteristicfromchildhood."ByGeorge,youwill!"hecried."You'llgobackthereandyou'lllikeit!Gurneysaysitwon'thurtyouifyoulikeit,andhesaysit'llkillyouifyougobackandhateit;soitlooksasifitwasaboutuptoyounottohateit.Well,Gurney'safool!Hatin'workdoesn'tkillanybody;andthisisn'tgoin'tokillyou,whetheryouhateitornot.I'venevermadeamistakeinaseriousmatterinmylife,anditwasn'tamistakemysendin'youthereinthefirstplace.AndI'mgoin'toproveit--I'mgoin'tosendyoubackthereandvindicatemyjudgment.Gurneysaysit'sall'mentalattitude.'Well,you'regoin'tolearntherightone!Hesaysinacouplemoremonthsthisfoolthingthat'sbeenthematterwithyou'llbedisappearedcompletelyandyou'llbebackinasgoodorbetter

conditionthanyouwerebeforeyoueverwentintotheshop.Andrighttheniswhenyoubeginover--rightinthatsameshop!Nobodycancallmeahardmanorameanfather.IdothebestIcanformychuldern,andItakefullresponsibilityforbringin'mysonsuptobemen.Now,sofar,I'vefailedwithyou.ButI'mnotgoin'tokeepONfailin'.InevertackledajobYETIdidn'tputthrough,andI'mnotgoin'tobeginwithmyownson.I'mgoin'tomakeaMANofyou.ByGod!Iam!"

Bibbsroseandwentslowlytothedoor,whereheturned."Yousayyougivemeacoupleofmonths?"hesaid.

Sheridanpushedabell-buttononhisdesk."Gurneysaidtwomonths

morewouldputyoubackwhereyouwere.Yougohomeandbegintogetyourselfintheright'mentalattitude'beforethosetwomonthsareup!Good-by!"

"Good-by,sir,"saidBibbs,meekly.

Bibbs'sroom,thatneatapartmentfortransientstowhichthe"lamidal"Georgehadshownhimuponhisreturn,stillboretheappearanceoftemporaryquarters,possiblybecauseBibbshadnoclearconceptionofhimselfasapermanentincumbent.However,hehadsetuponthemantelpiecethetwophotographsthatheowned:one,a"group"twentyyearsold--hisfatherandmother,withJim

andRoscoeasboys--andtheothera"cabinet"ofEdithatsixteen.Anduponatablewerethebookshehadtakenfromhistrunk:SartorResartus,VirginibusPuerisque,HuckleberryFinn,andAfterwhiles.Thereweresomeotherbooksinthetrunk--alargeone,whichremainedunremovedatthefootofthebed,addingtothegeneralimpressionoftransiency.ItcontainednearlyallthepossessionsaswellasthesecretlifeofBibbsSheridan,andBibbssatbesideit,thedayafterhisinterviewwithhisfather,rakingoverasmallcollectionofmanuscriptsinthetoptray.Someoftheseheglancedthroughdubiously,findinglittlecomfortinthem;butonemadehimsmile.



Thenheshookhisheadruefullyindeed,andruefullybegantoreadit.Itwaswrittenonpaperstamped"HoodSanitarium,"andborethetitle,"Leisure."

Amanmaykeepaquietheartatseventymilesanhour,butnotifheisrunningthetrain.Noristhehabitofcontemplationausefulqualityinthestokerofafoundryfurnace;itwillnotbefoundtorecommendhimtotheapprobationofhissuperiors.Foraprofessionadaptedsolelytothepursuitofhappinessinthinking,Iwouldchoosethatofaninvalid:hismoneyistimeandhemayspenditonOlympus.Itwillnotsufficetobeanamateurinvalid.Tomywayofthinking,theperfectpractitionermustbetoalloutwardpurposesalreadydeadifheistobegintheperfectenjoymentoflife.Hisserenitymustnotbedisturbedbyrumorsofrecovery;hemustliesereneinhislongchairinthesunshine.Theworldmustbeontheothersideofthewall,andthewallmustbesothickandsohighthathecannotheartheroaringofthefurnacefiresandthescreamingofthewhistles.Peace--

Havingreadsofarastheword"peace,"Bibbssufferedaninterruptioninterestingasacoincidenceofcontrast.Highvoicessoundedinthehalljustoutsidehisdoor;anditbecameevidentthatawoman'squarrelwasinprogress,thepartiestoithavingbegunitinEdith'sroom,andcontinuingitvehementlyastheycameoutintothehall.

"Yes,youBETTERgohome!"Bibbsheardhissistervociferating,shrilly."YoubettergohomeandkeepyourmindalittlemoreonyourHUSBAND!"

"Edie,Edie!"heheardhismotherremonstrating,aspeacemaker.

"Youseehere!"ThiswasSibyl,andhervoicewasbothacridandtremulous."Don'tyoutalktomethatway!IcameheretotellMotherSheridanwhatI'dheard,andtolethertellFatherSheridanifshethoughtsheoughtto,andIdiditforyourowngood."

"Yes,youdid!"AndEdith'sgibinglaughtertootedloudly."Yes,

youdid!YOUdidn'thaveanyotherreason!OHno!YOUdon'twanttobreakitupbetweenBobbyLamhornandmebecause--"

"Edie,Edie!Now,now!"

"Oh,hushup,mamma!I'dliketoknow,then,ifshesayshernewfriendstellherhe'sgotsuchareputationthatheoughtn'ttocomehere,whatabouthisnotgoingtoHERhouse.How--"

"I'veexplainedthattoMotherSheridan."Sibyl'svoiceindicatedthatshewasdescendingthestairs."Marriedpeoplearenotthesame.Somethingsthatshouldbeshieldedfromayounggirl--"

ThisseemedtohavenoverysoothingeffectuponEdith."'Shieldedfromayounggirl'!"sheshrilled."Youseemprettywillingtobetheshield!YoulookoutRoscoedoesn'tnoticewhatkindofashieldyouare!"

Sibyl'sanswerwasinaudible,butMrs.Sheridan'sflurriedattemptsatpacificationwererenewed."Now,Edie,Edie,shemeansitforyourgood,andyou'doughtn'tto--"

"Oh,hushup,mamma,andletmealone!Ifyoudaretellpapa--"



"Now,now!I'mnotgoingtotellhimto-day,andmaybe--"

"You'vegottopromiseNEVERtotellhim!"thegirlcried,passionately.

"Well,we'llsee.Youjustcomebackinyourownroom,andwe'll--"

"No!IWON'T'talkitover'!Stoppullingme!LetmeALONE!"AndEdith,flingingherselfviolentlyuponBibbs'sdoor,jerkeditopen,swungrounditintotheroom,slammedthedoorbehindher,andthrewherself,facedown,uponthebedinsuchariotofemotionthatshehadnoperceptionofBibbs'spresenceintheroom.Gaspingandsobbinginapassionoftears,shebeatthecoverletandpillowswithherclenchedfists."Sneak!"shebabbledaloud."Sneak!Snake-in-the-grass!Cat!"

Bibbssawthatshedidnotknowhewasthere,andhewentsoftlytowardthedoor,hopingtogetawaybeforeshebecameawareofhim;butsomesoundofhismovementreachedher,andshesatup,startled,facinghim.

"Bibbs!IthoughtIsawyougooutawhileago."

"Yes.Icameback,though.I'msorry--"

"DidyouhearmequarrelingwithSibyl?"

"Onlywhatyousaidinthehall.Youliedownagain,Edith.I'mgoingout."

"No;don'tgo."Sheappliedahandkerchieftohereyes,emittedasob,andrepeatedherrequest."Don'tgo.Idon'tmindyou;you'requiet,anyhow.Mamma'ssofussy,andnevergetsanywhere.Idon'tmindyouatall,butIwishyou'dsitdown."

"Allright."Andhereturnedtohischairbesidethetrunk."Go

aheadandcryallyouwant,Edith,"hesaid."Noharminthat!"

"Sibyltoldmamma--OH!"shebegan,choking."MaryVertreeshadmammaandSibylandItotea,oneafternoontwoweeksorsoago,andshehadsomewomentherethatSibyl'sbeencrazytogetinwith,andshejustlaidherselfouttomakeahitwith'em,andshe'sbeenrunningafter'emeversince,andnowshecomesoverhereandsaysTHEYsayBobbyLamhornissobadthat,eventhoughtheylikehisfamily,noneofthenicepeopleintownwouldlethimintheirhouses.Inthefirstplace,it'safalsehood,andIdon'tbelieveawordofit;andinthesecondplaceIknowthereasonshedidit,and,what'smore,sheKNOWSIknowit!Iwon'tSAYwhatitis--notyet--becausepapaandallofyouwouldthinkI'mascrazyassheissnaky;andRoscoe'ssuchafool

he'dprobablyquitspeakingtome.Butit'strue!Justyouwatchher;that'sallIask.Justyouwatchthatwoman.You'llsee!"

Asithappened,Bibbswasliterallywatching"thatwoman."Glancingfromthewindow,hesawSibylpauseuponthepavementinfrontoftheoldhousenextdoor.Shestoodamoment,indeepthought,thenwalkedquicklyupthepathtothedoor,undoubtedlywiththeintentionofcalling.Buthedidnotmentionthistohissister,who,afterdeliveringherselfofarathervaguejeremiaduponthesubjectofhersister-in-law'streacheries,departedtoherownchamber,leavinghim



tohisspeculations.Thechiefoftheseconcernedthesocialelasticitiesofwomen.Sibylhadjustbeenaparticipantinaviolentscene;shehadsufferedhotinsultofakindthatcouldnotfailtosetherquiveringwithresentment;andyetsheelectedtobetakeherselftothepresenceofpeoplewhomsheknewnomorethan"formally."Bibbsmarveled.Surely,hereflected,sometracesofemotionmustlingeruponSibyl'sfaceorinhermanner;shecouldnothaveironeditallquiteoutinthethreeorfourminutesittookhertoreachtheVertreeses'door.

Andinthishewasnotmistaken,forMaryVertreeswasatthatmomentwonderingwhatinternalexcitementMrs.RoscoeSheridanwasstrivingtomaster.ButSibylhadnoideathatshewasallowingherselftoexhibitanythingexceptthegaietywhichsheconceivedpropertothemannerofacasualcaller.Shewaswhollyintentuponfulfillingthesuddenpurposethatbroughther,andshewasnomoreself-consciousthanshewasfinelyintelligent.ForSibylSheridanbelongedtoatypeScripturalinitsantiquity.Shewasmerelytheidleandhalf-educatedintriguerwhomayanddoesdeludemen,ofcourse,andthebestanddullestofherownsexaswell,findinginvariablystrongsupportersamongtheselatter.Itisatypethathaswroughtsomedamageintheworldandwouldhavewroughtgreater,saveforthecheckputuponitspowerbyintelligentwomenandbyitsown"lackofperspective,"foritisatypethatneverseesitself.Sibyl

followedherimpulseswithnoreflectionorquestion--itwaslikeahoundonthegallopafteramasteronhorseback.Shehadnoteventheinstincttostopandconsiderhereffect.Ifshewishedtomakeacertainimpressionshebelievedthatshemadeit.Shebelievedthatshewasbelieved.

"Mymotheraskedmetosaythatshewassorryshecouldn'tcomedown,"Marysaid,whentheywereseated.

Sibylranthescaleofacooingsimulanceoflaughter,whichshehadbeenbroughtuptoconsiderthepolitethingtodoafteraremarkaddressedtoherbyanypersonwithwhomshewasnotonfamiliarterms.Itwasintendedpartlyasacourtesyandpartlyasthe

foundationforanimpressionofsweetness.

"JustthoughtI'dflyinaminute,"shesaid,continuingthecooingtorelievethelastdoubtofhergentiality."IthoughtI'djustbehavelikeREALcountryneighbors.Wearealmostoutinthecountry,sofarfromdown-town,aren'twe?AnditseemedsuchaLOVELYday!IwantedtotellyouhowmuchIenjoyedmeetingthosenicepeopleatteathatafternoon.Yousee,cominghereabrideandneverhavinglivedherebefore,I'vehadtodependonmyhusband'sfriendsalmostentirely,andIreally'veknownscarcelyanybody.Mr.Sheridanhasbeensoengrossedinbusinesseversincehewasamereboy,why,ofcourse--"

Shepaused,withtheairofhavingcompletedanexplanation.

"Ofcourse,"saidMary,sympatheticallyacceptingit.

"Yes.I'vebeenseeingquitealotoftheKittersbyssincethatafternoon,"Sibylwenton."They'rereallydelightfulpeople.Indeedtheyare!Yes--"

Shestoppedwithunconsciousabruptness,hermindplainlywanderingtoanothermatter;andMaryperceivedthatshehadcomeuponadefiniteerrand.Moreover,atensingofSibyl'seyelids,inthatmomentof





stressofsomefeelingwhichshewishestoconceal,thereisnotuncommonlydevelopedaphenomenonofdualitycomparabletotheeffectobtainedbyplacingtwomirrorsoppositeeachother,oneclearandtheotherflawed.Inthiscase,particularly,SibylhadanimperfectconsciousnessofMary.TheMaryVertreesthatshesawwasmerelysomethingtobecozenedtoherownfranticpurpose--aMaryVertreeswhowasincapableofpenetratingthatpurpose.Sibylsattherebelievingthatshewasprojectingtheimageofherselfthatshedesiredtoproject,neverdreamingthatwitheveryword,everylook,andeverygestureshewasmoreandmorefullydisclosingthepitiabletruthtothecleareyesofMary.AndtheSibylthatMarysawwasanoverdressedwoman,inmannerhalfrustic,andinmindasshallowasapan,butpossessedbyemotionsthatappearedtobestrong--perhapsevenviolent.WhatthoseemotionswereMaryhadnotguessed,butshebegantosuspect.

"AndEdith'slifeWOULDbespoiled,"Sibylcontinued."Itwouldbeadreadfulthingforthewholefamily.She'stheveryappleofFatherSheridan'seye,andhe'sasproudofherasheisofJimandRoscoe.ItwouldbeahorriblethingforhimtohavehermarryamanlikeRobertLamhorn;buthedoesn'tKNOWanythingabouthim,andifsomebodydoesn'ttellhim,whatI'mmostafraidofisthatEdithmightgethisconsentandhurryontheweddingbeforehefindsout,andthenitwouldbetoolate.Yousee,MissVertrees,it'sverydifficultfor

metodecidejustwhatit'smydutytodo."

"Isee,"saidMary,lookingatherthoughtfully,"DoesMissSheridanseemto--tocareverymuchabouthim?"

"He'sdeliberatelyfascinatedher,"returnedthevisitor,beginningtobreathequicklyandheavily."Oh,shewasn'tdifficult!Sheknewshewasn'tinrightinthistown,andshewascrazytomeetthepeoplethatwere,andshethoughthewasoneof'em.Butthatwasonlythestartthatmadeiteasyforhim--andhedidn'tneedit.Hecouldhavedoneit,anyway!"Sibylwaslaunchednow;hereyeswerefuriousandhervoiceshook."Hewentafterherdeliberately,thewayhedoeseverything;he'sascold-bloodedasafish.Allhecaresaboutishis

ownpleasure,andlatelyhe'sdecideditwouldbepleasanttogetholdofapieceofrealmoney--andtherewasEdith!Andhe'llmarryher!Nothingonearthcanstophimunlesshefindsoutshewon'tHAVEanymoneyifshemarrieshim,andtheonlypersonthatcouldmakehimunderstandthatisFatherSheridan.Somehow,that'sgottobemanaged,becauseLamhornisgoingtohurryitonasfastashecan.Hetoldmesolastnight.Hesaidhewasgoingtomarryherthefirstminutehecouldpersuadehertoit--andlittleEdith'sallreadytobepersuaded!"Sibyl'seyesflashedgreenagain."Andhesworehe'ddoit,"shepanted."Hesworehe'dmarryEdithSheridan,andnothingonearthcouldstophim!"

AndthenMaryunderstood.Herlipspartedandshestaredatthe

babblingcreatureincredulously,asuddenvividpictureinhermind,acanvasofunconsciousSibyl'spainting.Marybehelditwithpityandhorror:shesawSibylclingingtoRobertLamhorn,raging,inawhisper,perhaps--forRoscoemighthavebeeninthehouse,orservantsmighthaveheard.ShesawSibylentreating,beseeching,threateningdespairingly,andLamhorn--tiredofher--firstevasive,thenbrutallylettingherhavethetruth;andatlast,infuriated,"swearing"tomarryherrival.IfSibylhadnotbabbledouttheword"swore"itmighthavebeenlessplain.



Thepoorwomanblunderedon,whollyunawareofwhathehadconfessed."Yousee,"shesaid,morequietly,"whatever'sgoingtobedoneoughttobedonerightaway.IwentoverandtoldMotherSheridanwhatI'dheardaboutLamhorn--oh,Iwasopenandaboveboard!ItoldherrightbeforeEdith.Ithinkitoughtalltobedonewithperfectfrankness,becausenobodycansayitisn'tforthegirl'sowngoodandwhatherbestfriendwoulddo.ButMotherSheridan'sunderEdith'sthumb,andshe'safraidtoevercomerightoutwithanything.FatherSheridan'sdifferent.Edithcangetanythingshewantsoutofhiminthewayofmoneyorordinaryindulgence,butwhenitcomestoamatterlikethishe'dbeasteelrock.Ifit'saquestionofhiswillagainstanybodyelse'she'dmakehiswillruleifitkilled'emboth!Now,he'dneverintheworldletLamhorncomenearthehouseagainifheknewhisreputation.So,yousee,somebody'sgottotellhim.Itisn'taveryeasypositionforme,isit,MissVertrees?"

"No,"saidMary,gravely.

"Well,tobefrank,"saidSibyl,smiling,"that'swhyI'vecometoyou."

"ToME!"Maryfrowned.

Sibylrippledandcooedagain."Thereisn'tANYBODYevermadesuch

ahitwithFatherSheridaninhislifeasyouhave.AndofcourseweALLhopeyou'renotgoingtobeexactlyanoutsiderintheaffairsofthefamily!"(Thissallywithanotherandloudereffectoflaughter)."Andifit'sMYduty,why,inaway,Ithinkitmightbethoughtyours,too."

"No,no!"exclaimedMary,sharply.

"Listen,"saidSibyl."NowsupposeIgotoFatherSheridanwiththisstory,andEdithsaysit'snottrue;supposeshesaysLamhornhasagoodreputationandthatI'mrepeatingirresponsiblegossip,orsuppose(what'smostlikely)sheloseshertemperandsaysIinventedit,thenwhatamIgoingtodo?FatherSheridandoesn't

knowMrs.Kittersbyandherdaughter,andthey'reoutofthequestion,anyway.ButsupposeIcouldsay:'Allright,ifyouwantproof,askMissVertrees.Shecamewithme,andshe'swaitinginthenextroomrightnow,to--"

"No,no,"saidMary,quickly."Youmustn't--"

"Listenjustaminutemore,"Sibylurged,confidingly.Shewasoneasygroundnow,toherownmind,andhadnodoubtofhersuccess."Younaturallydon'twanttobeginbytakingpartinafamilyquarrel,butifYOUtakepartinit,itwon'tbeone.Youdon'tknowyourselfwhatweightyoucarryoverthere,andnoonewouldhavetherighttosayyoudiditexceptoutofthepurestkindness.Don'tyousee

thatJimandhisfatherwouldadmireyouallthemoreforit?MissVertrees,listen!Don'tyouseeweOUGHTtodoit,youandI?DoyousupposeRobertLamhorncaresasnapofhisfingerforher?DoyousupposeamanlikehimwouldLOOKatEdithSheridanifitwasn'tforthemoney?"AndagainSibyl'semotionrosetothesurface."Itellyouhe'safternothingonearthbuttogethisfingerinthatoldman'smoney-pile,overthere,nextdoor!He'dmarryANYBODYtodoit.MarryEdith?"shecried."Itellyouhe'dmarrytheirniggercookforTHAT!"





Roscoemetheruponthethreshold,gloomily."Sawyoufromthewindow,"heexplained."Youmustfindalottosaytothatoldlady."

"Whatoldlady?"

"Mrs.Vertrees.Ibeenwaitingforyoualongtime,andIsawthedaughtercomeout,fifteenminutesago,andpostaletter,andthenwalkonupthestreet.Don'tstandoutontheporch,"hesaid,crossly."Comeinhere.There'ssomethingit'scometimeI'llhavetotalktoyouabout.Comein!"

Butasshewasmovingtoobeyheglancedacrossathisfather'shouseandstarted.Heliftedhishandtoshieldhiseyesfromthesettingsun,staringfixedly."Something'sthematteroverthere,"hemuttered,andthen,moreloudly,asalarmcameintohisvoice,hesaid,"What'sthematteroverthere?"

Bibbsdashedoutofthegateinanautomobilesetatitshighestspeed,andashesawRoscoehemadeagenturesingularlyeloquentofcalamity,andwaslostatonceinacloudofdustdownthestreet.Edithhadfollowedpartofthewaydownthedrive,anditcouldbeseenthatshewascryingbitterly.SheliftedbotharmstoRoscoe,summoninghim.

"ByGeorge!"gaspedRoscoe."Ibelievesomebody'sdead!"

AndhestartedfortheNewHouseatarun.

Sheridanhaddecidedtoconcludehisday'sworkearlythatafternoon,andatabouttwoo'clockhelefthisofficewithamanofaffairsfromforeignparts,whohadtraveledfarforabusinessconferencewithSheridanandhiscolleagues.HerrFavre,inspiteofhisFrenchname,wasagentlemanofBavaria.Itwashisfirstvisittoourcountry,andSheridantookpleasureinshowinghimthesightsofthecountry'sfinestcity.Theygotintoanopencaratthemainentranceofthe

SheridanBuilding,andweredrivenfirst,slowlyandmomentously,throughthewholesaledistrictandtheretaildistrict;thenmorerapidlytheyinspectedthepacking-housesandthestock-yards;thenskirmishedoverthe"parksystem"and"boulevards";andafterthatwhizzedthroughthe"residencesection"ontheirwaytothefactoriesandfoundries.

"Allcray,"observedHerrFavre,smilingly.

"'Cray'?"echoedSheridan."Idon'tknowwhatyoumean.'Cray'?"

"Nowhite,"saidHerrFavre,withawaveofhishandtowardthelongrowsofhousesonbothsidesofthestreet."Nowhitelacewindow-

curtains;allcraylacewindow-curtains."

"Oh.Isee!"Sheridanlaughedindulgently."Youmean'GRAY.'No,theyain't,they'rewhite.Ineversawanygrayones."

HerrFavreshookhishead,muchamused."ThereareNOwhiteones,hesaid."ThereisnowhiteANYTHINGinyourcity;nowhitewindow-curtains,nowhitehouse,nowhitepeeble!"Hepointedupward."Smoke!"Thenhesniffedtheairandclaspedhisnosebetweenforefingerandthumb."Smoke!Smokeef'rywhere.Smokeinyour



insites."Hetappedhischest."Smokeinyourlunks!"

"Oh!SMOKE!"Sheridancriedwithgusto,drawinginadeepbreathandpatentlyfindingitdelicious."YouBETwegotsmoke!"

"Exbensif!"saidHerrFavre."Ruinsfoliage;ruinsfabrics.Maybeinsummeritissnotsobad,butIwonderyourwifeswillbearit."

Sheridanlaugheduproariously."Theyknowitmeansnewspringhatsfor'em!"

"Theymustneedmany,too!"saidthevisitor."Newhats,newallthings,butnothingwhite.InMunchenwecouldnotdoit;weareasafingpeeble."

"Where'sthat?"

"InMunchen.Yousay'Munich.'"

"Well,IneverbeentoMunich,butItookintheMediterraneantrip,andItellyou,outsideo'somerightgoodscenery,allIsawwasmightydirtyandmightyshiftlessandmightyrun-downattheheel.Nowcomin'rightdownTOit,Mr.Farver,wouldn'tyouratherlivehereinthistownthaninMunich?Iknowyougotmoreenterpriseupthere

thanthepartoftheoldcountryIsaw,andIknowYOU'REalivebusinessmanandyou'reassociatedwithotherslikeyou,butwhenitcomestoLIVIN'inaplace,wouldn'tyouheapratherbeherethanoverthere?"

"Forme,"saidHerrFavre,"no.HereIshouldnotthinkIwasliving.Itwouldbeliketheminerwhogoesintotheminetowork;nothingelse."

"Wegotagoodmanygoodcitizensherefromyourparto'theworld.THEYlikeit."

"Ohyes."AndHerrFavrelaugheddeprecatingly."Thefirst

generation,theybringtheirGermanywiththem;then,afterthat,theyareAmericans,likeyou."Hetappedhishost'sbigkneegenially."Youarepatriot;soarethey."

"Well,Ireckonyoumustbeaprettyhotlittlepatriotyourself,Mr.Farver!"Sheridanexclaimed,gaily."Youcertainlystandupforyourowntown,ifyousticktosayin'you'dratherlivetherethanyouwouldhere.Yes,SIR!YousurearesomepatriottosayTHAT--afteryou'veseenourcity!Itain'treasonableinyou,butImustsayIkindofadmireyouforit;everymanoughttostickupforhisown,evenwhenheseestheotherfellow'sgotthegoodsonhim.YetIexpectwaydowndeepinyourheart,Mr.Farver,you'dratherliverightherethananyplaceelseintheworld,ifyouhadyourchoice.

Manalive!thisisGod'scountry,Mr.Farver,andablindmancouldn'thelpseein'it!Youcouldn'tstandwhereyoudoinabusinesswayandNOTseeit.Soho,boy!Hereweare.Thisisthebigworks,andI'llshowyousomethingnowthat'llmakeyoureyesstickout!"

TheyhadarrivedatthePumpWorks;andforanhourMr.Favrewaspersonallyconductedandpersonallyinstructedbythefounderandpresident,thebuzzingqueenbeeofthosebuzzinghives.

"NowI'lltakeyouforaspininthecountry,"saidSheridan,when



atlasttheycameouttothecaragain."We'lltakeabreezer."But,withhisfootonthestep,hepausedtohailaneatyoungmanwhocameoutoftheofficesmilingagreeting."Hello,youngfellow!"Sheridansaid,heartily."Onthejob,areyou,Jimmie?Ha!Theydon'tcatchyouOFFofitveryoften,Iguess,thoughIdohearyougoautomobile-ridin'inthecountrysometimeswithamightyfine-lookin'girlsettin'upbesideyou!"Heroaredwithlaughter,clappinghissonupontheshoulder."That'sallrightwithme--ifitiswithHER!So,Jimmie?Well,whenwegoin'tomoveintoyournewwarehouses?Monday?"

"Sunday,ifyouwantto,"saidJim.

"No!"criedhisfather,delighted."Don'ttellmeyou'regoin'tokeepyourwordaboutdates!That'snowaytodocontractin'!Neverheardofacontractoryetdidn'twantmoretime."

"They'llbeallreadyforyouontheminute,"saidJim."I'mgoingoverbothof'emnow,withLinksandSherman,fromfoundationtoroof.Iguessthey'llpassinspection,too!"

"Well,then,whenyougetthroughwiththat,"saidhisfather,"yougoandtakeyourgirloutridin'.ByGeorge!you'veearnedit!YoutellheryoustandhighwithME!"Hesteppedintothecar,wavinga

waggishfarewell,andwhenthewheelswereinmotionagain,heturneduponhiscompanionabroadfaceliterallyshiningwithpride."That'smyboyJimmie!"hesaid.

"Fineyoungman,yes,"saidHerrFavre.

"Igottwoo'thefinestboys,"saidSheridan,"Igottwoo'thefinestboysGodevermade,andthat'safact,Mr.Farver!Jim'stheoldest,andItellyoutheygottogetupthedaybeforeiftheyexpecttocatchHIMinbed!Myotherboy,Roscoe,he'salwaystothegood,too,butJim'sawizard.Yousawthemtwonew-processwarehouses,justaboutfinished?Well,JIMbuilt'em.I'lltellyouaboutthat,Mr.Farver."Andherecitedthishistory,describingthe

newprocessatlength;infact,hehadsuchprideinJim'sachievementthathetoldHerrFavreallaboutitmorethanonce.

"Fineyoungman,yes,"repeatedthegoodMunchner,three-quartersofanhourlater.Theyweremanymilesoutintheopencountrybythistime.

Heisthat!"saidSheridan,adding,asifconfidentially:"Igotafinefamily,Mr.Farver--finechuldern.Igotadaughternow;youtakeherandputheranywhereyouplease,andshe'llshineupwithANYof'em.There'scultureandrefinementandsocietyinthistownbythecar-load,andherelatelyshe'sbeengettin'rightinthethickofit--herandmydaughter-in-law,both.Igotamightyfine

daughter-in-law,Mr.Farver.I'mgoin'togetyouupforamealwithusbeforeyouleavetown,andyou'llsee--and,well,sir,fromallIhearthetwoof'embeenholdin'theirownwiththebest.Myself,Iandthewifeneverhadtimeformucho'thatkindo'doin's,butit'sallrightandgoodforthechuldern;andmydaughtershe'salwayskindoftakentoit.I'llreadyouapoemshewrotewhenIgetyouupatthehouse.Shewroteitinschoolandtookthefirstprizeforpoetrywithit.Itellyoutheydon'tmake'emanysmarter'nthatgirl,Mr.Farver.Yes,sir;takeusallround,we'reaprettyhappyfamily;yes,sir.Roscoehasn'tgotanychuldernyet,andIhaven'tever





"Say,Yallern,"saidthissecond,hoarsewithawe,"'n'tchewknowwhothatIS?"

"Who?"

"It'sSHERIDAN!"

"Jeest!"criedthefirst,staringinsanely.

Ataboutthesamehour,fourtimesaweek--Monday,Wednesday,Friday,andSaturday--Sheridanstoppedatthisshoptobeshavedbytheheadbarber.Thebarberswerenegroes,hewastheirgreatman,anditwastheirhabittogivehima"reception,"hisentrancebeingalwaysthesignalforaflurryofjocularhospitality,followedbygeneralexcessesofbrisknessandgaiety.Butitwasnotsothisevening.

Theshopwascrowded.Copiesofthe"Extra"werebeingreadbymenwaiting,andbymeninthelatterstagesoftreatment."Extras"layuponvacantseatsandshowedfromthepocketsofhangingcoats.

Therewasaloudchatterbetweenthepractitionersandtheirrecumbentpatients,avocalcharivariwhichstoppedabruptlyasSheridanopenedthedoor.Hisnameseemedtofizzintheairlikethelastsputtering

ofafirework;thebarbersstoppedshavingandclipping;latheredmenturnedtheirprostrateheadstostare,andtherewasamomentofamazingsilenceintheshop.

Theheadbarber,nearestthedoor,stoodlikeabarberinatableau.Hislefthandheldstretchedbetweenthumbandforefingeranelasticsectionofhishelplesscustomer'scheek,whilehisrighthandhungpoisedaboveit,therazormotionless.Andthen,rousedfromtrancebythedoor'sclosing,heacceptedthefactofSheridan'spresence.Thebarberrememberedthattherearenocircumstancesinlife--orjustafterit--underwhichamandoesnotneedtobeshaved.

Hesteppedforward,profoundlygrave."Ibethroughwiththisman

inthechaironeminute,Mist'Sheridan,"hesaid,inahushedtone."Yessuh."Andofasolemnnegroyouthwhostoodby,gazingstupidly,"Yougoin'RESIGN?"hedemandedinafierceundertone."Yougoin'takeMist'Sheridan'scoat?"Hesentanangrylookroundtheshop,andthebarbers,takinghismeaning,avertedtheireyesandfelltowork,themurmurofsubduedconversationbuzzingfromchairtochair.

"YousitdownONEminute,Mist'Sheridan,"saidtheheadbarber,gently."Ifixnicechairfo'youtowaitin."

"Nevermind,"saidSheridan."Goongetthroughwithyourman."

"Yessuh."Andhewentquicklybacktohischairontiptoe,followed

bySheridan'spuzzledgaze.

Somethinghadgonewrongintheshop,evidently.Sheridandidnotknowwhattomakeofit.Ordinarilyhewouldhaveshoutedahilariousdemandforthemeaningofthemystery,butaninexplicablesilencehadbeenimposeduponhimbythehushthatfelluponhisentranceandbytheoddlookeverymanintheshophadbentuponhim.

Vaguelydisquieted,hewalkedtooneoftheseatsintherearoftheshop,andlookedupanddownthetwolinesofbarbers,catching



quicklyshifted,furtiveglanceshereandthere.Hemadethisbriefsurveyafterwonderingifoneofthebarbershaddiedsuddenly,thatday,orthenightbefore;buttherewasnovacancyineitherline.

Theseatnexttohiswasunoccupied,butsomeonehadleftacopyofthe"Extra"there,and,frowning,hepickeditupandglancedatit.Thefirstoftheswollendisplaylineshadlittlemeaningtohim:FatallyFaulty.NewProcessRoofCollapsesHurlingCapitalisttoDeathwithInventor.SevenEscapeWhenCrashComes.DeathClaims--

Thusfarhadhereadwhenathinhandfelluponthepaper,coveringtheprintfromhiseyes;and,lookingup,hesawBibbsstandingbeforehim,paleandgentle,immeasurablycompassionate.

"I'vecomeforyou,father,"saidBibbs."Here'stheboywithyourcoatandhat.Putthemonandcomehome."

AndeventhenSheridandidnotunderstand.Sosecurewasheinthestrengthandbignessofeverythingthatwashis,hedidnotknowwhatcalamityhadbefallenhim.Buthewasfrightened.

Withoutaword,hefollowedBibbsheavilyoutthroughtthestillshop,butastheyreachedthepavementhestoppedshortand,graspinghisson'ssleevewithshakingfingers,swunghimroundsothattheystood

facetoface.

"What--what--"Hismouthcouldnotdohimtheserviceheaskedofit,hewassofrightened.

"Extry!"screamedanewsboystraightinhisface."YoungNorthSidemillionaireinsuntlykilled!Extry!"

"Not--JIM!"saidSheridan.

Bibbscaughthisfather'shandinhisown.

"AndYOUcometotellmethat?"

Sheridandidnotknowwhathesaid.Butinthosefirstwordsandinthefirstanguishofthebig,strickenfaceBibbsunderstoodtheunutteredcryofaccusation:

"Whywasn'tityou?"

Standingintheblackgroupundergaunttreesatthecemetery,threedayslater,Bibbsunwillinglyletanold,oldthoughtbecomedefiniteinhismind:thesicklybrotherhadburiedthestrongbrother,andBibbswonderedhowmanymilliontimesthathadhappenedsincemenfirstmadeawordtonamethesonsofonemother.Almostliterally

hehadburiedhisstrongbrother,forSheridanhadgonetopieceswhenhesawhisdeadson.Hehadnothingtohelphimmeettheshock,neitherdefinitereligionnor"philosophy"definiteorindefinite.Hecouldonlybeathisforeheadandbeg,overandover,tobekilledwithanax,whilehiswifewashelplessexcepttoentreathimnotto"takeon,"herselfaddingacontinuouslamentation.Edith,weeping,madetrucewithSibylandsawtoitthatthemourninggarmentswerebeyondcriticism.Roscoewasdazed,andheshirked,justifyinghimselfcuriouslybysayinghe"neverhadanyexperienceinsuchmatters."SoitwasBibbs,theshyoutsider,whobecame,during



thisdreadfullittletime,themasterofthehouse;forasstrangeathingasthat,sometimes,maybetheresultofadeath.Hemettherelativesfromoutoftownatthestation;hesetthetimeforthefuneralandthetimeformeals;heselectedtheflowersandheselectedJim'scoffin;hedidallthegrimthingsandalltheotherthings.JimhadbelongedtoanorderofKnights,wholengthenedtheriteswithapicturesqueceremonyoftheirown,andatfirstBibbswishedtoavoidthis,butuponreflectionheofferednoobjection--hedivinedthattheKnightsandtheirservicewouldbenotpreciselyaconsolation,butasatisfactiontohisfather.SotheKnightsledtheprocession,withtheirbandplayingadirgepartofthelongwaytothecemetery;andthenturnedback,afterformingintwolines,plumedhatssympatheticallyinhand,toletthehearseandthecarriagespassbetween.

"Mightyfine-lookin'men,"saidSheridan,brokenly."Theyall--alllikedhim.Hewas--"Hisbreathcaughtinasobandchokedhim."Hewas--aGrandSupremeHerald."

Bibbshaddivinedaright.

"Dusttodust,"saidtheminister,underthegaunttrees;andatthatSheridanshookconvulsivelyfromheadtofoot.Alloftheblackgroupshivered,exceptBibbs,whenitcameto"Dusttodust."Bibbsstood

passive,forhewastheonlyoneofthemwhohadknownthatthoughtasafamiliarneighbor;hehadbeencloseupondusthimselfforalong,longtime,andevennowhecouldprophesynoprotractedseparationbetweenhimselfanddust.Themachine-shophadbroughthimveryclose,andifhehadtogobackitwouldprobablybringhimcloserstill;soclose--asDr.Gurneypredicted--thatnoonewouldbeabletotellthedifferencebetweendustandhimself.AndSheridan,ifBibbsreadhimtruly,wouldbeallthemoredeterminedto"makeaman"ofhim,nowthattherewasamanlessinthefamily.ToBibbs'sknowledge,nooneandnothinghadeverpreventedhisfatherfromcarryingthroughhisplans,oncehehaddetermineduponthem;andSheridanwasincapableofbelievingthatanyplanofhiswouldnotworkoutaccordingtohiscalculations.Hisnatureunfittedhimto

acceptfailure.Hehadthegiftofterriblepersistence,andwithunfleckedconfidencethathiswaywastheonlywayhewouldholdtothatwayof"makingaman"ofBibbs,whounderstoodverywell,inhispassiveandimpersonalfashion,thatitwasawaywhichmightmake,notaman,butdustofhim.Buthehadnoshudderforthethought.

Hehadnoshudderforthatthoughtorforanyotherthought.ThetruthaboutBibbswasinthepoemwhichEdithhadadopted:hehadsothoroughlyformedtheover-sensitivehabitofhidinghisfeelingsthatnodoubthehadforgotten--bythistime--wherehehadputsomeofthem,especiallythosewhichconcernedhimself.Buthehadnothiddenhisfeelingsabouthisfatherwheretheycouldnotbefound.Hewasstrangetohisfather,buthisfatherwasnotstrangetohim.

HeknewthatSheridan'splanswereconceivedinthestubbornbeliefthattheywouldbringaboutagoodthingforBibbshimself;andwhatevertheresultwastobe,thesonhadnobitterness.Farotherwise,forashelookedatthebig,woefulfigure,shakingandtortured,analmostunbearablepitylaidhandsuponBibbs'sthroat.Roscoestoodblinking,hislipquivering;Edithweptaudibly;Mrs.Sheridanleanedinhalfcollapseagainstherhusband;butBibbsknewthathisfatherwastheonewhocared.

Itwasover.Meninoverallssteppedforwardwiththeirshovels,



andBibbsnoddedquicklytoRoscoe,makingaslightgesturetowardthelineofwaitingcarriages.Roscoeunderstood--Bibbswouldstayandseethegravefilled;therestweretogo.Thegroupsbegantomoveawayovertheturf;wheelscreakedonthegraveleddrive;andonebyonethecarriagesfilledanddeparted,thehorsessettingoffatawalk.Bibbsgazedsteadfastlyattheworkmen;heknewthathisfatherkeptlookingbackashewenttowardthecarriage,andthatwasathinghedidnotwanttosee.Butafteralittlewhiletherewerenosoundsofwheelsorhoofsonthegravel,andBibbs,glancingup,sawthateveryonehadgone.Acoupehadbeenleftforhim,thedriverdozingpatiently.

Theworkmenplacedtheflowersandwreathsuponthemoundandaboutit,andBibbsalteredthepositionofoneortwoofthese,thenstoodlookingthoughtfullyatthegrotesquebrilliancyofthatfestal-seeminghillockbeneaththedarkeningNovembersky."It'stoobad!"hehalfwhispered,hislipsformingthewords--andhismeaningwasthatitwastoobadthatthestrongbrotherhadbeentheonetogo.ForthiswashislastthoughtbeforehewalkedtothecoupeandsawMaryVertreesstanding,allalone,ontheothersideofthedrive.

Shehadjustemergedfromagroveofleaflesstreesthatgrewonaslopewherethetombsweremany;andbehindherroseamultitudeofthebarbaricandclassicshapeswesostrangelystrewaboutour

graveyards:urn-crownedcolumnsandstone-drapedobelisks,shop-carvedangelsandshop-carvedchildrenpoisingonpillarsandshafts,alllifting--inunthoughtpathos--theirblindstoninesstowardthesky.Againstsuchabackground,Bibbswasnotincongruous,withhisfigure,inblack,solongandslender,andhisfacesolongandthinandwhite;norwastheundertaker'scoupeoutofkeeping,withtheshabbydriverdozingontheboxandtheshaggyhorsesstandingpatientlyinattitudeswithouthopeandwithoutregret.ButforMaryVertrees,herewasagrotesquesetting--shewasavivid,livingcreatureofabeautifulworld.Andagraveyardisnottheplaceforpeopletolookcharming.

Shealsolookedstartledandconfused,butnotmorestartledand

confusedthanBibbs.In"Edith's"poemhehaddeclaredhisintentionofhidinghisheart"amongthestars";andinhisboyhoodonedayhehadsuccessfullyhiddenhisbodyinthecoal-pile.Hehadbeennocomradeofotherboysorofgirls,andhisacquaintancesofarecentperiodwereonlyafewfellow-invalidsandthenursesattheHoodSanitarium.AllhislifeBibbshadkepthimselftohimself--hewasbutashyonlookerintheworld.Nevertheless,thestartledgazehebentupontheunexpectedladybeforehimhadcausesotherthanhisshynessandherunexpectedness.ForMaryVertreeshadbeenashiningfigureinthelittleworldoflategiventotheviewofthishumbleandelusiveoutsider,andspectatorssometimesfindtheirheartsbeatingfasterthanthoseoftheactorsinthespectacle.ThuswithBibbsnow.Hestartedandstared;heliftedhishatwithincredible

awkwardness,hisfingersfumblingathisforeheadbeforetheyfoundthebrim.

"Mr.Sheridan,"saidMary,"I'mafraidyou'llhavetotakemehomewithyou.I--"Shestopped,notlackingamomentaryawkwardnessofherown.

"Why--why--yes,"Bibbsstammered."I'll--I'llbede--Won'tyougetin?"



Inthatmannerandinthatplacetheyexchangedtheirfirstwords.ThenMarywithoutmoreadogotintothecoupe,andBibbsfollowed,closingthedoor.

"You'reverykind,"shesaid,somewhatbreathlessly."Ishouldhavehadtowalk,andit'sbeginningtogetdark.It'sthreemiles,Ithink."

"Yes,"saidBibbs."It--itisbeginningtogetdark.I--Inoticedthat."

"Ioughttotellyou--I--"Marybegan,confusedly.Shebitherlip,satsilentamoment,thenspokewithcomposure."Itmustseemodd,my--"

"No,no!"Bibbsprotested,earnestly."Notinthe--intheleast."

"Itdoes,though,"saidMary."Ihadnotintendedtocometothecemetery,Mr.Sheridan,butoneofthemeninchargeatthehousecameandwhisperedtomethat'thefamilywishedmeto'--Ithinkyoursistersenthim.SoIcame.ButwhenwereachedhereI--oh,IfeltthatperhapsI--"

Bibbsnoddedgravely."Yes,yes,"hemurmured.

"Igotoutontheoppositesideofthecarriage,"shecontinued."Imeanoppositefrom--fromwhereallofyouwere.AndIwanderedoffoverintheotherdirection;andIdidn'trealizehowlittletimeittakes.FromwhereIwasIcouldn'tseethecarriagesleaving--atleastIdidn'tnoticethem.SowhenIgotback,justnow,youweretheonlyonehere.Ididn'tknowtheotherpeopleinthecarriageIcamein,andofcoursetheydidn'tthinktowaitforme.That'swhy--"

"Yes,"saidBibbs,"I--"Andthatseemedallhehadtosayjustthen.

Marylookedoutthroughthedustywindow."Ithinkwe'dbetterbe

goinghome,ifyouplease,"shesaid.

"Yes,"Bibbsagreed,notmoving."Itwillbedarkbeforewegetthere."

Shegavehimaquicklittleglance."Ithinkyoumustbeverytired,Mr.Sheridan;andIknowyouhavereasontobe,"shesaid,gently."Ifyou'llletme,I'll--"Andwithoutexplainingherpurposesheopenedthedooronhersideofthecoupeandleanedout.

Bibbsstartedinblankperplexity,notknowingwhatshemeanttodo.

"Driver!"shecalled,inherclearvoice,loudly."Driver!We'd

liketostart,please!Driver!StopatthehousejustnorthofMr.Sheridan's,please."Thewheelsbegantomove,andsheleanedbackbesideBibbsoncemore."Inoticedthathewasasleepwhenwegotin,"shesaid."Isupposetheyhaveagreatdealofnightwork."

Bibbsdrewalongbreathandwaitedtillhecouldcommandhisvoice."I'veneverbeenabletoapologizequickly,"hesaid,withhisaccustomedslowness,"becauseifItrytoIstammer.MybrotherRoscoewhippedmeonce,whenwewereboys,forsteppingonhisslate-pencil.Ittookmesolongtotellhimitwasanaccident,



hefinishedbeforeIdid."

MaryVertreeshadneverheardanythingquitelikethedrawling,gentlevoiceortheoddimplicationthathisnotnoticingthemotionlessstateoftheirvehiclewasan"accident."Shehadformedacasualimpressionofhim,notwithoutsympathy,butatonceshediscoveredthathewasunlikeanyofhercursoryandvagueimaginingsofhim.Andsuddenlyshesawapicturehehadnotintendedtopaintforsympathy:asturdyboyhammeringasmaller,sicklyboy,andthesicklyboyunresentful.Notthatpicturealone;othersflashedbeforeher.InstantaneouslyshehadaglimpseofBibbs'slifeandintohislife.Shehadaqueerfeeling,newtoherexperience,ofknowinghiminstantly.Itstartledheralitttle;andthen,withsomesurprise,sherealizedthatshewasgladhehadsatsolong,aftergettingintothecoupe,beforehenoticedthatithadnotstarted.Whatshedidnotrealize,however,wasthatshehadmadenoresponsetohisapology,andtheypassedoutofthecemeterygates,neitherhavingspokenagain.

Bibbswassocontentwiththesilencehedidnotknowthatitwassilence.Thedusk,gatheringintheirsmallinclosure,wasfilledwitharichpresenceforhim;andpresentlyitwassodarkthatneitherofthetwocouldseetheother,nordideventheirgarmentstouch.Butneitherhadanysenseofbeingalone.Thewheelscreaked

steadily,rumblingpresentlyonpavedstreeets;therewerethesounds,asfromadistance,oftheplod-plodofthehorses;andsometimesthedriverbecameaudible,coughingasthmatically,orsaying,"You,JOE!"withaspiritlessflapofthewhipuponanunresponsiveback.Oblongsoflightfromthelampsatstreet-cornerscameswimmingintotheinteriorofthecoupeand,thinningrapidlytolances,passedutterly,leavinggreaterdarkness.AndyetneitherofthesetwolastattendantsatJimSheridan'sfuneralbrokethesilence.

ItwasMarywhopreceivedthestrangenessofit--toolate.Abruptlysherealizedthatforanindefiniteintervalshehadbeenthinkingofhercompanionandnottalkingtohim."Mr.Sheridan,"shebegan,not

knowingwhatshewasgoingtosay,butimpelledtosayanything,assherealizedthequeernessofthisdrive--"Mr.Sheridan,I--"

Thecoupestopped."You,JOE!"saidthedriver,reproachfully,andclimbeddownandopenedthedoor.

"What'sthetrouble?"Bibbsinquired.

"LadysaidstopatthefirsthousenorthofMr.Sheridan's,sir."

Marywasincredulous;shefeltthatitcouldn'tbetrueandthatitmustn'tbetruethattheyhaddrivenallthewaywithoutspeaking.

"What?"Bibbsdemanded.

"We'rethere,sir,"saidthedriver,sympathetically."NexthousenorthofMr.Sheridan's."

Bibbsdescendedtothecurb."Why,yes,"hesaid."Yes,youseemtoberight."AndwhilehestoodstaringatthedimlyilluminatedfrontwindowsofMr.Vertrees'shouseMarygotout,unassisted.

"Letmehelpyou,"saidBibbs,steppingtowardhermechanically;and



shewasseveralfeetfromthecoupewhenhespoke.

"Ohno,"shemurmured."IthinkIcan--"Shemeantthatshecouldgetoutofthecoupewithouthelp,but,perceivingthatshehadalreadyaccomplishedthisfeat,shedecidednottocompletethesentence.

"You,JOE!"criedthedriver,angrily,climbingtohisbox.Andherumbledawayathisteam'sbestpace--asnail's.

"Thankyouforbringingmehome,Mr.Sheridan,"saidMary,stiffly.Shedidnotofferherhand."Goodnight."

"Goodnight,"Bibbssaidinresponse,and,turningwithher,walkedbesidehertothedoor.Marymadethatashortwalk;shealmostran.Realizationofthequeernessoftheirdrivewasgrowinguponher,beginningtoshockher;shesteppedasidefromthelightthatfellthroughtheglasspanelsofthedoorandwithheldherhandasittouchedtheold-fashionedbell-handle.

"I'mquitesafe,thankyou,"shesaid,withalittleemphasis."Goodnight."

"Goodnight,"saidBibbs,andwentobediently.Whenhereachedthe

streethelookedback,butshehadvanishedwithinthehouse.

Movingslowlyaway,hecaromedagainsttwopeoplewhowereturningoutfromthepavementtocrossthestreet.TheywereRoscoeandhiswife.

"Whereareyoureyes,Bibbs?"demandedRoscoe."Sleep-walking,asusual?"

ButSibyltookthewandererbythearm."Comeovertoourhouseforalittlewhile,Bibbs,"sheurged."Iwantto--"

"No,I'dbetter--"

"Yes.Iwantyouto.Yourfather'sgonetobed,andthey'reallquietoverthere--allwornout.Justcomeforaminute."

Heyielded,andwhentheywereinthehousesherepeatedherselfwithrealfeeling:"'Allwornout!'Well,ifanybodyis,YOUare,Bibbs!AndIdon'twonder;you'vedoneeverybitoftheworkofit.Youmustn'tgetdownsickagain.I'mgoingtomakeyoutakealittlebrandy."

Heletherhaveherownway,followingherintothedining-room,andwasgratefulwhenshebroughthimatinyglassfilledfromoneofthedecantersonthesideboard.Roscoegloomilypouredforhimselfamuchheavierlibationinalargerglass;andthetwomensat,whileSibyl

leanedagainstthesideboard,reviewingtheepisodesofthedayandrecallingthenamesofthedonorsofflowersandwreaths.ShepressedBibbstoremainlongerwhenherosetogo,andthen,ashepersisted,shewentwithhimtothefrontdoor.Heopenedit,andshesaid:

"Bibbs,youwerecomingoutoftheVertreeses'housewhenwemetyou.Howdidyouhappentobethere?"

"Ihadonlybeentothedoor,"hesaid."Goodnight,Sibyl."



"Wait,"sheinsisted."Wesawyoucomingout."

"Iwasn't,"heexplained,movingtodepart."I'djustbroughtMissVertreeshome."

"What?"shecried.

"Yes,"hesaid,andsteppedoutupontheporch,"thatwasit.Goodnight,Sibyl."

"Wait!"shesaid,followinghimacrossthethreshold."Howdidthathappen?Ithoughtyouweregoingtowaitwhilethosemenfilledthe--the--"Shepaused,butmovednearerhiminsistently.

"Ididwait.MissVertreeswasthere,"hesaid,reluctantly."Shehadwalkedawayforawhileanddidn'tnoticethatthecarriageswereleaving.Whenshecamebackthecoupewaitingformewastheonlyoneleft."

Sheregardedhimwithdilatingeyes.Shespokewithaslowbreathlessness."AndshedrovehomefromJim'sfuneral--withyou!"

Withoutwarningsheburstintolaughter,clappedherhandineffectuallyoverhermouth,andranbackuproariouslyintothe

house,hurlingthedoorshutbehindher.

Bibbswenthomepondering.HedidnotunderstandwhySibylhadlaughed.Thelaughteritselfhadbeenspontaneousandbeyondsuspicion,butitseemedtohimthatshehadonlyaffectedtheefforttosuppressitandthatshewishedittobesignificant.Significantofwhat?Andwhyhadshewishedtoimpressuponhimthefactofheroverwhelmingamusement?Hefoundnoanswer,butshehadsucceededindisturbinghim,andhewishedthathehadnotencounteredher.

Athome,uncles,aunts,andcousinsfromoutoftownwerewanderingaboutthehouse,severalmournfullyadmiringthe"BayofNaples,"

andothersoccupiedwiththeMoorandtheplumbing,whiletheywaitedfortrains.Edithandhermotherhadretiredtosomeupperfastness,butBibbsinterviewedJacksonandhadthevariousgroupsofrelativessummonedtothedining-roomforfood.Onegreat-uncle,oldGideonSheridanfromBoonville,couldnotbefound,andBibbswentinsearchofhim.Heransackedthehouse,discoveringthemissingantiqueatlastbyaccident.Passinghisfather'scloseddoorontiptoe,Bibbsheardamurmuroussound,andpausedtolisten.Thesoundprovedtobeaquaveringandricketyvoice,monotonouslybleating:

"TheLo-ordgivuthandtheLo-ordtakuthaway!Wegottorememberthat;wegottorememberthat!I'ma-gittin'along,James;I'ma-gittin'along,andI'veseena-manyof'emgo--twodaughtersandason

theLordgiveme,andHehastakenallaway.FortheLo-ordgivuthandtheLo-ordtakuthaway!RememberthewordsofBildadtheShuhite,James.BildadtheShuhitesays,'Heshallhaveneithersonnornephewamonghispeople,noranyremaininginhisdwellings.'BildadtheShuhite--"

Bibbsopenedthedoorsoftly.Hisfatherwaslyinguponthebed,inhisunderclothes,facedownward,andUncleGideonsatnearby,swingingbackwardandforwardinarocking-chair,strokinghislongwhitebeardandgazingattheceilingashetalked.Bibbsbeckoned



himurgently,butUncleGideonpaidnoattention.

"BibdadtheShuhitespakeandhissays,'IfthychildrenhavesinnedagainstHimandHehavecastthemaway--'"

Therewasamuffledexplosionbeneaththefloor,andthewindowsrattled.Thefigurelyingfacedownwardonthebeddidnotmove,butUncleGideonleapedfromhischair."MyGod!"hecried."What'sthat?"

Therecameasecondexplosion,andUncleGideonranoutintothehall.Bibbswenttotheheadofthegreatstaircase,and,lookingdown,discoveredthesourceofthedistubance.Gideon'sgrandson,aboyoffourteen,hadbroughthiscameratothefuneralandwastaking"flash-lights"oftheMoor.UncleGideon,reassuredbyBibbs'sexplanation,wouldhavereturnedtofinishhisquotationfromBildadtheShuhite,butBibbsdetainedhim,andafteralittleargumentpersuadedhimtodescendtothedining-roomwhitherBibbsfollowed,afterclosingthedoorofhisfather'sroom.

HekepthiseyeonGideonafterdinner,diplomaticallypreventingseveralattemptsonthepartofthatcomfortertoreascendthestairs;anditwasarelieftoBibbswhenGeorgeannouncedthatanautomobilewaswaitingtoconveytheancientmanandhisgrandsontotheirtrain.

Theywerethelasttoleave,andwhentheyhadgoneBibbswentsighingtohisownroom.

Hestretchedhimselfwearilyuponthebed,butpresentlyrose,wenttothewindow,andlookedforalongtimeatthedarkenedhousewhereMaryVertreeslived.Thenheopenhistrunk,tooktherefromasmallnote-bookhalffilledwithfragmentaryscribblings,andbegantowrite:

Laughterafterafuneral.Inthisreactionpeoplewilllaughatanythingandatnothing.Thebandplaysadirgeonthewaytothecemetery,butwhenitturnsback,andthemourningcarriagesareoutofhearing,itstrikesup,"DarktownisOutTo-night."That

isnatural--buttherearewomenwhoselaughterislikethewhirringofwhips.Whyisitthatcertainkindsoflaughterseemtospoilsomethinghiddenawayfromthelaughers?Iftheydonotknowofit,andhaveneverseenit,howcantheirlaughterhurtit?Yetitdoes.Beautyisnotoutofplaceamonggrave-stones.Itisnotoutofplaceanywhere.Butawomanwhohasbeenbetrothedtoamanwouldnotlookbeautifulathisfuneral.Awomanmightlookbeautiful,though,atthefuneralofamanwhomshehadknownandliked.Andinthatcase,too,shewouldprobablynotwanttotalkifshedrovehomefromthecemeterywithhisbrother:norwouldshewantthebrothertotalk.Silenceisusuallyeitherstupidortimid.Butforamanwhostammersifhetriestotalkfast,anddrawlssoslowly,whenhedoesn'tstammer,thatnobodyhastimeto

listentohim,silenceisadvisable.Nevertheless,toomuchsilenceisopentosuspicion.Itmaybereticence,oritmaybeavacuum.Itmaybedignity,oritmaybefalseteeth.

Sometimesanimperceptibleodorwillbecomeperceptibleinasmallinclosure,suchasaclosedcarriage.Theghostofgasolinerisingfromalady'sglovemightbesweetertothemanridingbesideherthanallthescentsofArcadyinspring.Itdependsonthelady--butthereARE!Threemilesmaybethreehundredmiles,oritmaybethreefeet.Whenitisthreefeetyouhavenottimetosaya



greatdealbeforeyoureachtheendofit.Still,itmaybethatoneshouldbegintospeak.

Noonecouldhelpwishingtostayinaworldthatholdssomeofthepeoplethatareinthisworld.TherearesomesowonderfulyoudonotunderstandhowthedeadCOULDdie.Howcouldtheyletthemselves?Afallingbuildingdoesnotcarewhofallswithit.Itdoesnotchoosewhoshallbeuponitsroofandwhoshallnot.SilenceCANbegolden?Yes.Butperhapsifawomanoftheworldshouldfindherselfbyaccidentsittingbesideamanforthelengthoftimeitmustnecessarilytaketwoslowoldhorsestojogthreemiles,shemightexpectthatmantosaysomethingofsomesort!Evenifshethoughthimafeeblehypochondriac,evenifshehadheardfromothersthathewasadisappointmenttohisownpeople,evenifshehadseenforherselfthathewasauselessandirritatingencumbranceeverywhere,shemightexpecthimatleasttospeak--shemightexpecthimtoopenhismouthandtrytomakesounds,ifheonlybarked.Ifhedidnoteventry,butsateverystepofthewayasdumbasafrozenfish,shemightTHINKhimafrozenfish.Andshemightberight.Shemightberightifshethoughthimaboutaspleasantacompanionas--asBildadtheShuhite!

Bibbsclosedhisnote-book,replacingitinhistrunk.Then,afteraperiodofmelancholycontemplation,heundressed,putonadressing-

gownandslippers,andwentsoftlyoutintothehall--tohisfather'sdoor.UponthefloorwasatraywhichBibbshadsentGeorge,earlierintheevening,toplaceuponatableinSheridan'sroom--butthefoodwasuntouched.Bibbsstoodlisteningoutsidethedoorforseveralminutes.Therecamenosoundfromwithin,andhewentbacktohisownroomandtobed.

Inthemorninghewoketoastateofbeinghithertounknowninhisexperience.Sometimesintheprocessofwakingthereisalittlepause--sleephasgone,butcoherentthoughthasnotbegun.Itisacurioushalf-void,aglimpseofaphasia;andalthoughthepersonexperiencingitmaynotknowforthatinstanthisownnameorageorsex,hemaybeacutelyconsciousofdepressionorelation.Itisthe

moment,aswesay,beforewe"remember";andforthefirsttimeinBibbs'slifeitcametohimbringingavaguehappiness.Hewoketoasenseofnewriches;hehadthefeelingofaboywakingtoabirthday.Butwhenthenextmomentbroughthimhismemory,hefoundnothingthatcouldexplainhisexhilaration.Onthecontrary,underthecircumstancesitseemedgrotesquelyunwarranted.However,itwasabriefvisitationandwasgonebeforehehadfinisheddressing.Itleftalittletrail,thepleasedrecollectionofitandthepuzzleofit,whichremainedunsolved.And,infact,wakinghappilyinthemorningisnotusuallytheresultofadrivehomefromafuneral.NowonderthesequenceevadedBibbsSheridan!

Hisfatherhadgonewhenhecamedown-stairs."Wentondownto's

office,jes'same,"Jacksoninformedhim."Camesatbreakfas'-table,allby'mself;eatnothin'.Georgebringnicebreakfas',buthedi'n'eatathing.Yessuh,wentondown-town,jes'sameheyoostado.Yessuh,Ireckonputtymuchev'y-thinggoin'goonsameasityoostado."

ItstruckBibbsthatJacksonwasright.Thedaypassedasotherdayshadpassed.Mrs.SheridanandEdithwereinblack,andMrs.Sheridancriedalittle,nowandthen,butnootherexternaldifferencewastobeseen.Edithwasquiet,butnotnoticeablydepressed,andatlunch



provedherselfabletoarguewithhermotherupontheproprietyofreceivingcallsintheearlieststagesof"mourning."Lunchwasasusual--forJimandhisfatherhadalwaysluncheddown-town--andtheafternoonwasasusual.Bibbswentforhisdrive,andhismotherwentwithhim,asshesometimesdidwhentheweatherwaspleasant.Altogether,theusualnessofthingswasratherstartlingtoBibbs.

DuringthedriveMrs.SheridantalkedfragmentarilyofJim'schildhood."Butyouwouldn'trememberaboutthat,"shesaid,afternarratinganepisode."Youweretoolittle.Hewasalwaysagoodboy,justlikethat.Andhe'dsavewhateverpapagavehim,andputitinthebank.Ireckonit'lljustaboutkillyourfathertoputsomebodyinhisplaceaspresidentoftheRealtyCompany,Bibbs.Iknowhecan'tmoveRoscoeover;hetoldmelastweekhe'dalreadyputasmuchonRoscoeasanyonemancouldhandleandnotgocrazy.Oh,it'sapity--"Shestoppedtowipehereyes."It'sapityyoudidn'trunmorewithJim,Bibbs,andkindo'pickuphisways.Thinkwhatit'dmeanttopapanow!YouneverdidrunwitheitherRoscoeorJimany,evenbeforeyougotsick.Ofcourse,youwereyounger;butitalwaysDIDseemqueer--andyouthreebein'brotherslikethat.Idon'tbelieveIeversawyouandJimsitdowntogetherforagoodtalkinmylife."

"Mother,I'vebeenawaysolong,"Bibbsreturned,gently."Andsince

IcamehomeI--"

"Oh,Iain'treproachin'you,Bibbs,"shesaid."Jimain'tbeenhomemuchofaneveningsinceyougotback--whatwithhisworkandcallin'andgoin'tothetheaterandplaces,andoftennotevenatthehousefordinner.Righttheeveningbeforehegothurthehadhisdinneratsomemiser'blerest'rantdownbythePumpWorks,hewassosetonoverseein'thenightworkandgettin'everythingfinisheduprighttotheminutehetoldpapahewould.Ireckonyoumight'a'putinmoretimewithJimifthere'dbeenmoreopportunity,Bibbs.Iexpectyoufeelalmostasifyouscarcelyreallyknewhimrightwell."

"IsupposeIreallydidn't,mother.Hewasbusy,yousee,andI

hadn'tmuchtosayaboutthethingsthatinterestedhim,becauseIdon'tknowmuchaboutthem."

"It'sapity!Oh,it'sapity!"shemoaned."Andyou'llhavetolearntoknowabout'emNOW,Bibbs!Ihaven'tsaidmuchtoyou,becauseIfeltitwasallbetweenyourfatherandyou,butIhonestlydobelieveitwilljustkillhimifhehastohaveanymoretroubleontopofallthis!Youmustn'tLEThim,Bibbs--youmustn't!Youdon'tknowhowhe'sgrievedoveryou,andnowhecan'tstandanymore--hejustcan't!Whateverhesaysforyoutodo,youDOit,Bibbs,youDOit!Iwantyoutopromisemeyouwill."

"IwouldifIcould,"hesaid,sorrowfully.

"No,no!Whycan'tyou?"shecried,clutchinghisarm."Hewantsyoutogobacktothemachine-shopand--"

"And--'likeit!"saidBibbs.

"Yes,that'sit--togoinacheerfulspirit.Dr.Gurneysaiditwouldn'thurtyouifyouwentinacheerfulspirit--thedoctorsaidthathimself,Bibbs.Sowhycan'tyoudoit?Can'tyoudothatmuchforyourfather?Yououghttothinkwhathe'sdoneforYOU.Yougot



abeautifulhousetolivein;yougotautomobilestoridein;yougotfurcoatsandwarmclothes;youbeentakencareofallyourlife.Andyoudon'tKNOWhowheworkedforthemoneytogiveallthesethingstoyou!Youdon'tDREAMwhathehadtogothroughandwhatheriskedwhenwewerestartin'outinlife;andyouneverWILLknow!Andnowthisblowhasfallenonhimoutofaclearsky,andyoumakeitouttobeahardshiptodolikehewantsyouto!Andallonearthheasksisforyoutogobacktotheworkinacheerfulspirit,soitwon'thurtyou!That'sallheasks.Look,Bibbs,we'regettin'backnearhome,butbeforewegetthereIwantyoutopromisemethatyou'lldowhatheasksyouto.Promiseme!"

Inherearnestnesssheclearedawayherblackveilthatshemightseehimbetter,anditblewoutonthesmokywind.Hereadjusteditforherbeforehespoke.

"I'llgobackinascheerfulaspiritasIcan,mother,"hesaid.

"There!"sheexclaimed,satisfied."That'sagoodboy!That'sallIwantedyoutosay."

"Don'tgivemeanycredit,"hesaid,ruefully."Thereisn'tanythingelseformetodo."

"Now,don'tbegintalkin'THATway!"

"No,no,"hesoothedher."We'llhavetobegintomakethespiritacheerfulone.Wemay--"Theywereturningintotheirowndrivewayashespoke,andheglancedattheoldhousenextdoor.MaryVertreeswasvisibleinthetwilight,standinguponthefrontsteps,bareheaded,thedooropenbehindher.Shebowedgravely.

"'Wemay'--what?"askedMrs.Sheridan,withaslightimpatience.

"Whatisit,mother?"

"Yousaid,'Wemay,'anddidn'tfinishwhatyouweresayin'."

"DidI?"saidBibbs,blankly."Well,whatWEREwesaying?"

"Ofallthequeerboys!"shecried."Youalwayswere.Always!Youhaven'tforgotwhatyoujustpromisedme,haveyou?"

"No,"heanswered,asthecarstopped."No,thespiritwillbeascheerfulasthefleshwillletit,mother.Itwon'tdotobehavelike--"

Hisvoicewaslow,andinhermovementtodescendfromthecarshefailedtoherehisfinalwords.

"Behavelikewho,Bibbs?"

"Nothing."

Butshewasfretfulinhergrief."Yousaiditwouldn'tdotobehavelikeSOMEBODY.BehavelikeWHO?"

"Itwasjustnonsense,"heexplained,turningtogoin."AnobscurepersonIdon'tthinkmuchoflately."



"BehavelikeWHO?"sherepeated,anduponhisyieldingtoherpetulantinsistence,shemadeuphermindthattheonlythingtodowastotellDr.Gurneyaboutit.

"LikeBildadtheShuhite!"waswhatBibbssaid.

Theoutwardusualnessofthingscontinuedafterdinner.ItwasSheridan'scustomtoreadtheeveningpaperbesidethefireinthelibrary,whilehiswife,sittingnearby,eithersewed(fromoldhabit)orallowedherselftoberepeatedlybaffledbyoneofthesimplerformsofsolitaire.To-nightshedidneither,butsatinhercustomarychair,gazingatthefire,whileSheridanlettheunfoldedpaperrestuponhislap,thoughnowandthenheliftedit,asiftoread,andletitfallbackuponhiskneesagain.Bibbscameinnoiselesslyandsatinacorner,doingnothing;andfroma"reception-room"acrossthehallanindistinctvocalmurmurbecamejustaudibleatintervals.Once,whenthismurmurgrewlouder,understressofsomeirrepressiblemerriment,Edith'svoicecouldbeheard--"Bobby,aren'tyouawful!"andSheridanglancedacrossathiswifeappealingly.

Sheroseatonceandwentintothe"reception-room";therewasaflurryofwhispering,andthesoundoftiptoeinginthehall--Edith

andhersuitorchangingquarterstoamoredistantroom.Mrs.Sheridanreturnedtoherchairinthelibrary.

"Theywon'tbotheryouanymore,papa,"shesaid,inacomfortingvoice."Shetoldmeatlunchhe'd'phonedhewantedtocomeupthisevening,andIsaidIthoughthe'dbetterwaitafewdays,butshesaidshe'dalreadytoldhimhecould."Shepaused,thenadded,ratherguiltily:"IgotkindofanotionmaybeRoscoedon'tlikehimasmuchasheusedto.Maybe--maybeyoubetteraskRoscoe,papa."AndasSheridannoddedsolemnly,sheconcluded,inhaste:"Don'tsayIsaidto.Imightbewrongaboutit,anyway."

Henoddedagain,andtheysatforsometimeinasilencewhichMrs.

Sheridanbrokewithalittlesniff,havingfallenintoareveriethatbroughttears."ThatMissVertreeswasagoodgirl,"shesaid."SHEwasallright."

Herhusbandevidentlyhadnodifficultyinfollowinghertrainofthought,forhenoddedoncemore,affirmatively.

"Didyou--Howdidyoufixitaboutthe--theRealtyCompany?"shefaltered."Didyou--"

Heroseheavily,helpinghimselftohisfeetbythearmsofhischair."Ifixedit,"hesaid,inahuskyvoice."ImovedCantwellup,andputJohnstoninCantwell'splace,andsplitupJohnston'sworkamong

thefourmenwithsalarieshighenoughtotakeit."Hewenttoher,puthishanduponhershoulder,anddrewalong,audible,tremulousbreath."It'smybedtime,mamma;I'mgoin'up."Hedroppedthehandfromhershoulderandmovedslowlyaway,butwhenhereachedthedoorhestoppedandspokeagain,withoutturningtolookather."TheRealtyCompany'llgorightonjustthesame,"hesaid."It'slike--it'slikesand,mamma.Itputsmeinmindofchuldernplayin'inasand-pile.Oneof'emstickshisfingerinthesandandmakesahole,andanotherof'em'llpattheplacewithhishand,andallthelittlegrainsofsandruninandfillitupandsettleagainstone



another;andthen,rightawayit'sflatontopagain,andyoucan'ttellthereeverwasaholethere.TheRealtyCompany'llgoonallright,mamma.Thereain'tanythinganywhere,Ireckon,thatwouldn'tgorighton--justthesame."

Andhepassedoutslowlyintothehall;thentheyheardhisheavytreaduponthestairs.

Mrs.Sheridan,risingtofollowhim,turnedapiteousfacetoherson."It'ssoforlone,"shesaid,chokingly."That'sthefirsttimehespokesincehecameinthehousethisevening.Iknowitmust'a'hurthimtohearEdithlaughin'withthatLamhorn.She'doughtn'ttolethimcome,righttheveryfirsteveningthisway;she'doughtn'ttodoneit!Shejustseemstoloseherheadoverhim,anditscaresme.YouheardwhatSibylsaidtheotherday,and--andyouheardwhat--what--"

"WhatEdithsaidtoSibyl?"Bibbsfinishedthesentenceforher.

"WeCAN'Thaveanytroubleo'THATkind!"shewailed."Oh,itlooksasifmovin'uptothisNewHousehadbroughtusawfulbadluck!Itscaresme!"Sheputbothherhandsoverherface."Oh,Bibbs,Bibbs!ifyouonlywasn'tsoQUEER!Ifyoucouldonlybeenakindofdependableson!Idon'tknowwhatwe'reallcomin'to!"And,

weeping,shefollowedherhusband.

Bibbsgazedforawhileatthefire;thenheroseabruptly,likeamanwhohascometoadecision,andbrisklysoughttheroom--itwascalled"thesmoking-room"--whereEdithsatwithMr.Lamhorn.Theylookedupinnowelcomingmanner,atBibbs'sentrance,andmovedtheirchairstoalessconspicuousadjacency.

"Goodevening,"saidBibbs,pleasantly;andheseatedhimselfinaleathereasy-chairnearthem.

"Whatisit?"askedEdith,plainlyastonished.

"Nothing,"hereturned,smiling.

Shefrowned."Didyouwantsomething?"sheasked.

"Nothingintheworld.Fatherandmotherhavegoneup-stairs;Isha'n'tbegoingupforseveralhours,andtheredidn'tseemtobeanybodyleftformetochatwithexceptyouandMr.Lamhorn."

"'CHATwith'!"sheechoed,incredulously.

"Icantalkaboutalmostanything,"saidBibbswithanairofgenialpoliteness."Itdoesn'tmattertoME.Idon'tknowmuchaboutbusiness--ifthat'swhatyouhappenedtobetalkingabout.Butyou

aren'tinbusiness,areyou,Mr.Lamhorn.

"Notnow,"returnedLamhorn,shortly.

"I'mnot,either,"saidBibbs."Itwasgettingcloudierthanusual,Inoticed,justbeforedark,andtherewaswindfromthesouthwest.Rainto-morrow,Ishouldn'tbesurprised."

Heseemedtofeelthathehadbegunaconversationthesupportofwhichhadnowbecomethepleasurabledutyofotherparties;andhe



satexpectantly,lookingfirstathissister,thenatLamhorn,asifimplyingthatitwastheirturntospeak.Edithreturnedhisgazewithamixtureofastonishmentandincreasinganger,whileMr.Lamhornwasobviouslydisturbed,thoughBibbshadbeenasconsiderateaspossibleinpresentingtheweatherasatopic.BibbshadperceivedthatLamhornhadnothinginhismindatanytimeexcept"personalities"--hecouldtalkaboutpeopleandhecouldmakelove.Bibbs,wishingtobecourteous,offeredtheweather.

Lamhornrefusedit,andconcludedfromBibbs'sluxuriousattitudeintheleatherchairthatthishalf-crazybrotherwasapermanentfixturefortherestoftheevening.Therewasnotreasontohopethathewouldmove,andLamhornfoundhimselfindangeroflookingsilly.

"Iwasjustgoing,"hesaid,rising.

"OhNO!"Edithcried,sharply.

"Yes.Goodnight!IthinkI--"

"Toobad,"saidBibbs,genially,walkingtothedoorwiththevisitor,whileEdithstoodstaringasthetwodisappearedinthehall.SheheardBibbsofferingto"help"Lamhornwithhisovercoatandthe

latterrathercurtlydecliningassistance,theseepisodesofdeparturebeingfollowedbytheclosingoftheouterdoor.Sheranintothehall.

"What'sthematterwithyou?"shecried,furiously."WhatdoyouMEAN?Howdidyoudarecomeintherewhenyouknew--"

Hervoicebroke;shemadeagestureofrageanddespair,andranupthestairs,sobbing.Shefledtohermother'sroom,andwhenBibbscameup,afewminuteslater,Mrs.Sheridanmethimathisdoor.

"Oh,Bibbs,"shesaid,shakingherheadwoefully,"you'doughtn'ttodistressyoursister!Shesaysyoudrovethatyoungmanright

outofthehouse.You'doughttobeenmoreconsiderate."

Bibbssmiledfaintly,notingthatEdith'sdoorwasopen,withEdith'snaiveshadowmotionlessacrossitsthreshold."Yes,"hesaid."Hedoesn'tappeartomuchofa'man'sman.'Heranatjustaglimpseofone."

Edith'sshadowmoved;hervoicecamequavering:"Youcallyourselfone?"

"No,no,"heanswered."Isaid,'justaglimpseofone.'Ididn'tclaim--"Butherdoorslammedangrily;andheturnedtohismother.

"There,"hesaid,sighing."That'salmostthefirsttimeinmylifeIevertriedtobeamanofaction,mother,andIsucceededperfectlyinwhatItriedtodo.AsaconsequenceIfeellikeahorse-thief!"

"Youhurtherfeelin's,"shegroaned."Youmust'a'goneatittoorough,Bibbs."

Helookeduponherwanly."That'smytrouble,mother,"hemurmured."I'maplain,bluntfellow.Ihaveroughways,andI'maroughman."



Foroncesheperceivedsomemeaninginhisqueerness."Hushyournonsense!"shesaid,good-naturedly,theastralofatroubledsmileappearing."Yougotobed."

Hekissedherandobeyed.

Edithgavehimacoldgreetingthenextmorningatthebreakfast-table.

"Youmustn'tdothatunderamisapprehension,"hewarnedher,whentheywerealoneinthedining-room.

"Dowhatunderawhat?"sheasked.

"Speaktome.Icameintothesmoking-roomlastnight'onpurpose,'"hetoldher,gravely."Ihaveaprejudiceagainstthatyoungman."

Shelaughed."Iguessyouthinkitmeansagreatdealwhoyouhaveprejudicesagainst!"Inmockerysheadoptedthemannerofonewhoimplores."Bibbs,forpity'ssakePROMISEme,DON'TuseYOURinfluencewithpapaagainsthim!"Andshelaughedlouder.

"Listen,"hesaid,withpeculiarearnestness."I'lltellyounow,because--becauseI'vedecidedI'moneofthefamily."Andthen,

asiftheearnestnessweretooheavyforhimtocarryitfurther,hecontinued,inhisusualtone,"I'mdrunkwithpower,Edith."

"Whatdoyouwanttotellme?"shedemanded,brusquely.

"LamhornmadelovetoSibyl,"hesaid.

Edithhooted."SHEdidtoHIM!AndbecauseyouoverheardthatspatbetweenustheotherdaywhenIthesameofaccusedherofit,andsaidsomethinglikethattoyouafterward--"

"No,"hesaid,gravely."IKNOW."

"How?"

"Iwasthere,onedayaweekago,withRoscoe,andIheardSibylandLamhorn--"

Edithscreamedwithlaughter."YouwerewithROSCOE--andyouheardLamhornmakinglovetoSibyl!"

"No.Iheardthemquarreling."

"You'refunnierthanever,Bibbs!"shecried."Yousayhemadelovetoherbecauseyouheardthemquarreling!"

"That'sit.Ifyouwanttoknowwhat's'between'people,youcan--bythewaytheyquarrel."

"You'llkillme,Bibbs!Whatweretheyquarrelingabout?"

"Nothing.That'showIknew.Peoplewhoquarrelovernothing!--it'salwayscertain--"

Edithstoppedlaughingabruptly,butcontinuedhermockery."Yououghttoknow.You'vehadsomuchexperience,yourself!"



"Ihaven'tany,Edith,"hesaid."Mylifehasbeenaboutasexcitingasanincubatorchicken's.ButIlookoutthroughtheglassatthings."

"Well,then,"shesaid,"ifyoulookoutthroughtheglassyoumustknowwhateffectsuchstuffwouldhaveuponME!"Sherose,visiblyagitated."WhatifitWAStrue?"shedemanded,bitterly."Whatifitwastrueahundredtimesover?Yousittherewithyoursillyfacehalfreadytogiggleandhalfreadytosniffle,andtellmestorieslikethat,aboutSibylpickingonBobbyLamhornandworryinghimtodeath,andyouthinkitmatterstoME?WhatifIalreadyKNEWallabouttheir'quarreling'?WhatifIunderstoodWHYshe--"Shebrokeoffwithaviolentgesture,asweepofherarmextendedatfulllength,asifshehurledsomethingtotheground."DoyouthinkagirlthatreallycaredforamanwouldpayanyattentiontoTHAT?OrtoYOU,BibbsSheridan!"

Helookedathersteadily,andhisgazewasaskeenasitwassteady.Shemetitwithunwaveringpride.Finallyhenoddedslowly,asifshehadspokenandhemeanttoagreewithwhatshesaid.

"Ah,yes,"hesaid."Iwon'tcomeintothesmoking-roomagain.I'msorry,Edith.Nobodycanmakeyouseeanythingnow.You'llneversee

untilyouseeforyourself.Therestofuswilldobettertokeepoutofit--especiallyme!"

"That'ssensible,"sheresponded,curtly."You'remostsurprisingofallwhenyou'resensible,Bibbs."

"Yes,"hesighed."I'madulldog.Shakehandsandforgiveme,Edith."

Thawingsofarastosmile,sheunderwentthisbriefceremony,andGeorgeappeared,summoningBibbstothelibrary;Dr.Gurneywaswaitingthere,heannounced.AndBibbsgavehissisterashybutfriendlytouchupontheshoulderasacomplementtothehandshaking,

andlefther.

Dr.Gurneywassittingbythelogfire,aloneintheroom,andhemerelyglancedoverhisshoulderwhenhispatientcamein.Hewasnotoverfifty,inspiteofSheridan'shabitual"oleDocGurney."Hewasgray,however,almostasthinasBibbs,andnearlyalwayshelookeddrowsy.

"Yourfathertelephonedmeyesterdayafternoon,Bibbs,"hesaid,notrising."Wantsmeto'lookyouover'again.Comearoundhereinfrontofme--betweenmeandthefire.IwanttoseeifIcanseethroughyou."

"Youmeanyou'retoosleepytomove,"returnedBibbs,complying."Ithinkyou'llnoticethatI'mgettingworse."

"Takenonabouttwelvepounds,"saidGurney."Thirteen,maybe."

"Twelve."

"Well,itwon'tdo."Thedoctorrubbedhiseyelids."You'resomuchbetterI'llhavetousesomemachineryonyoubeforewecanknowjustwhereyouare.Youcomedowntomyplacethisafternoon.Walkdown



--alltheway.Isupposeyouknowwhyyourfatherwantstoknow."

Bibbsnodded."Machine-shop."

"Stillhateit?"

Bibbsnoddedagain.

"Don'tblameyou!"thedoctorgrunted."Yes,Iexpectit'llmakealumpinyourgizzardagain.Well,whatdoyousay?ShallItellhimyou'vegottheoldlumpthereyet?Youstillwanttowrite,doyou?"

"What'stheuse?"Bibbssaid,smilingruefully."Mykindofwriting!"

"Yes,"thedoctoragreed."Isupposeityoubrokeawayandlivedonrootsandberriesuntilyoubeganto'attractthefavorableattentionofeditors'youmightbeabletohopeforanincomeoffourorfivehundreddollarsayearbythetimeyou'refifty."

"That'saboutit,"Bibbsmurmured.

"OfcourseIknowwhatyouwanttodo,"saidGurney,drowsily."Youdon'thatethemachine-shoponly;youhatethewholeshow--thenoise

andjaranddirt,thescramble--thewholebloomin'crazeto'geton.'You'dliketogosomewhereinAlgiers,ortoTaormina,perhaps,andbaskonabalcony,smellingflowersandwritingsonnets.You'dgrowfatonitandhaveadelicatelittlelifealltoyourself.Well,whatdoyousay?Icanlielikesixty,Bibbs!ShallItellyourfatherhe'llloseanotherofhisboysifyoudon'tgotoSicily?"

"Idon'twanttogotoSicily,"saidBibbs."Iwanttostayrighthere."

Thedoctor'sdrowsinessdisappearedforamoment,andhegavehispatientasharpglance."It'sarisk,"hesaid."Ithinkwe'llfindyou'resomuchbetterhe'llsendyoubacktotheshopprettyquick.

Something'sgotholdofyoulately;you'renotquitesolackadaisicalasyouusedtobe.ButIwarnyou:Ithinktheshopwillknockyoujustasitdidbefore,andperhapsevenharder,Bibbs."

Herose,shookhimself,andrubbedhiseyelids."Well,whenwegooveryouthisafternoonwhatarewegoingtosayaboutit?"

"TellhimI'mready,"saidBibbs,lookingatthefloor.

"Ohno,"Gurneylaughed."Notquiteyet;butyoumaybealmost.We'llsee.Don'tforgetIsaidtowalkdown."

Andwhentheexaminationwasconcluded,thatafternoon,thedoctor

informedBibbsthattheresultwasmuchtoosatisfactorytobepleasing."Here'sanew'situation'foraone-actfarce,"hesaid,gloomily,tohisnextpatientwhenBibbshadgone."Doctortellsamanhe'swell,andthat'shisdeathsentence,likely.Dam'funnyworld!"

Bibbsdecidedtowalkhome,thoughGurneyhadnotinstructedhimuponthispoint.Infact,Gurneyseemedtohavenomoreinstructionsonanypoint,sodiscouragingwastheyoungman'simprovement.Itwasadingyafternoon,andthesmokewasevidentnotonlytoBibbs'ssight,



buttohisnostrils,thoughmostofthepedestriansweresosaturatedwiththesmelltheycouldnolongerdetectit.Nearlyallofthemwalkedhurriedly,toointentupontheirdestinationstobemorethanhalfawareofthewayside;theyworetheexpressionsofpeopleunderavagueyetconstantstrain.Theywerealllightlypowdered,insideandout,withfinedustandgritfromthehard-pavedstreets,andtheywereunawareofthatalso.Theydidnotevennoticethattheysawthesmoke,thoughthethickenedairwaslikeashroudingmist.AndwhenBibbspassedthenew"SheridanApartments,"nowalmostcompleted,heobservedthatthemarbleofthevestibulewasalreadystreakywithsoot,likehisgloves,whichwerenew.

Thatrecalledtohimthefaintodorofgasoleneinthecoupeonthewayfromhisbrother'sfuneral,andthisincitedatrainofthoughtwhichcontinuedtillhereachedthevicinityofhishome.HisroutewasbyastreetparalleltothatonwhichtheNewHousefronted,andinhispreoccupationhewalkedablockfartherthanheintended,sothat,havingcrossedtohisownstreet,heapproachedtheNewHousefromthenorth,andashecametothecornerofMr.Vertrees'slotMr.Vertrees'sdaughteremergedfromthefrontdoorandwalkedthoughtfullydownthepathtotheoldpicketgate.Shewasunconsciousoftheapproachofthepedestrianfromthenorth,anddidnotseehimuntilshehadopenedthegateandhewasalmostbesideher.Thenshelookedup,andasshesawhimshestartedvisibly.

AndifthisthinghadhappenedtoRobertLamhorn,hewouldhavehadathoughtfarbeyondthehorizonoffaint-heartedBibbs'sthoughts.Lamhorn,indeed,wouldhavespokenhisthought.Hewouldhavesaid:"Youjumpedbecauseyouwerethinkingofme!"

Marywasthepictureofaladyflustered.Shestoodwithonehandclosingthegatebehindher,andshehadturnedtogointhedirectionBibbswaswalking.Thereappearedtobenothingforitbutthattheyshouldwalktogether,atleastasfarastheNewHouse.ButBibbshadpausedinhisslowstride,andthereelapsedaninstantbeforeeitherspokeormoved--itwasnolongerthanthat,andyetitsufficedforeachtoseemtosay,bylookandattitude,"Why,it'sYOU!"

Thentheybothspokeatonce,eachhurriedlypronouncingtheother'snameasifabouttodeliveramessageofimportance.Thenbothcametoastopsimultaneously,butBibbsmadeaheroiceffort,andastheybegantowalkontogetherhecontrivedtofindhisvoice.

"I--I--hateafrozenfishmyself,"hesaid."Ithinkthreemileswastoolongforyoutoputupwithone."

"Goodgracious!"shecried,turningtohimaglowingfacefromwhichrestraintandembarrassmenthadsuddenlyfled."Mr.Sheridan,you'relovelytoputitthatway.Butit'salwaysthegirl'splacetosayit'sturningcooler!Ioughttohavebeentheonetoshowthatwedidn'tknoweachotherwellenoughnottosaySOMETHING!Itwasan

impositionformetohavemadeyoubringmehome,andafterIwentintothehouseIdecidedIshouldhavewalked.Besides,itwasn'tthreemilestothecar-line.Ineverthoughtofit!"

"No,"saidBibbs,earnestly."Ididn't,either.ImighthavesaidsomethingifI'dthoughtofanything.I'mtalkingnow,though;Imustrememberthat,andnotworryaboutitlater.IthinkI'mtalking,thoughitdoesn'tsoundintelligenteventome.ImadeupmymindthatifIevermetyouagainI'dturnonmyvoiceandkeepitgoing,nomaterwhatitsaid.I--"



Sheinterruptedhimwithlaughter,andMaryVertrees'slaughwasonewhichBibbs'sfatherhaddeclared,afterthehouse-warming,"acripplewouldcrawlfivemilestohear."AndatthemerryliltingofitBibbs'sfather'ssontookhearttoforgetsomeofhistrepidation."I'llbeanykindofidiot,"hesaid,"ifyou'lllaughatmesomemore.Itwon'tbedifficultforme."

Shedid;andBibbs'scheeksshowedalittleactualcolor,whichMaryperceived.Itrecalledtoher,bycontrast,hercarelessandirritateddescriptionofhimtohermotherjustaftershehadseenhimforthefirsttime."Rathertragicandaltogetherimpossible."Itseemedtohernowthatshemusthavebeenblind.

TheyhadpassedtheNewHousewithouteitherofthemshowing--orpossessing--anyconsciousnessthatithadbeenthedestinationofoneofthem.

"I'llkeepontalking,"Bibbscontinued,cheerfully,"andyoukeeponlaughing.I'mamountingtosomethingintheworldthisafternoon.I'mmakinganoise,andthatmakesyoumakemusic.Don'tbebotheredbymybleatingoutsuchthingsasthat.I'mreallyfrightened,andthatmakesmebleatanything.I'mfrightenedabouttwothings:I'mafraidofwhatI'llthinkofmyselflaterifIdon'tkeeptalking--

talkingnow,Imean--andI'mafraidofwhatI'llthinkofmyselfifIdo.Andbesidesthesetwothings,I'mfrightened,anyhow.Idon'tremembertalkingasmuchasthismorethanonceortwiceinmylife.Isupposeitwasalwaysinmetodoit,though,thefirsttimeImetanyonewhodidn'tknowmewellenoughnottolisten."

"Butyou'renotreallytalkingtome,"saidMary."You'rejustthinkingaloud."

"No,"hereturned,gravely."I'mnotthinkingatall;I'monlymakingvocalsoundsbecauseIbelieveit'smoremannerly.Iseemtobethesubjectofwhatlittlemeaningtheypossess,andI'dliketochangeit,butIdon'tknowhow.Ihaven'tanyexperienceintalking,and

Idon'tknowhowtomanageit."

"Youneedn'tchangethesubjectonmyaccount,Mr.Sheridan,"shesaid."Notevenifyoureallytalkedaboutyourself."Sheturnedherfacetowardhimasshespoke,andBibbscaughthisbreath;hewaspatheticallyamazedbythelookshegavehim.Itwasaglowinglook,warmlyfriendlyandunderstanding,and,whatalmostshockedhim,itwasaneagerlyinterestedlook.Bibbswasnotaccustomedtoanythinglikethat.

"I--you--I--I'm--"hestammered,andthefaintcolorinhischeeksgrewalmostvivid.

Shewasstilllookingathim,andshesawthestrangeradiancethatcameintohisface.Therewassomethingabouthim,too,thatexplainedhow"queer"manypeoplemightthinkhim;buthedidnotseem"queer"toMaryVertrees;heseemedthemostquaintlynaturalpersonshehadevermet.

Hewaited,andbecamecoherent."YOUsaysomethingnow,"hesaid."Idon'tevenbelonginthechorus,andhereIam,tryingtosingthefunnyman'ssolo!You--"



"No,"sheinterrupted."I'dratherplayyouraccompaniment."

"I'llstopandlistentoit,then."

"Perhaps--"shebegan,butafterpausingthoughtfullyshemadeagesturewithhermuff,indicatingalargebrickchurchwhichtheywereapproaching."Doyouseethatchurch,Mr.Sheridan?"

"IsupposeIcould,"heansweredinsimpletruthfulness,lookingather."ButIdon'twantto.Once,whenIwasill,thenursetoldmeI'dbettersayanythingthatwasonmymind,andIgotthehabit.TheotherreasonIdon'twanttoseethechurchisthatIhaveafeelingit'swhereyou'regoing,andwhereI'llbesentback."

Sheshookherheadincheerynegation."Notunlessyouwanttobe.Wouldyouliketocomewithme?"

"Why--why--yes,"hesaid."Anywhere!"Andagainitwasapparentthathespokeinsimpletruthfulness.

"Thencome--ifyoucarefororganmusic.Theorganistisanoldfriendofmine,andsometimesheplaysforme.He'sadearoldman.HehadadegreefromBonn,andwasaprofessorafterward,buthegaveupeverythingformusic.That'she,waitinginthedoorway.

HelookslikeBeethoven,doesn'the?Ithinkheknowsthat,perhapsandenjoysitalittle.Ihopeso."

"Yes,"saidBibbs,astheyreachedthechurchsteps."IthinkBeethovenwouldlikeit,too.Itmustbepleasanttolooklikeotherpeople."

"Ihaven'tkeptyou?"Marysaidtotheorganist.

"No,no,"heanswered,heartily."Iwouldnotmindsoonlyyoushouldshooercome!"

"ThisisMr.Sheridan,Dr.Kraft.Hehascometolistenwithme."

Theorganistlookedbluntlysurprised."IssthatSO?"heexclaimed."Well,Iamgladifyouwishhim,andifhecanstantmyliddleplayink.Heissmusicianhimself,then,ofcourse."

"No,"saidBibbs,asthethreeenteredthechurchtogether."I--Iplayedthe--Itriedtoplay--"Fortunatelyhecheckedhimself;hehadbeenabouttooffertheinformationthathehadfailedtomasterthejews'-harpinhisboyhood."No,I'mnotamusician,"hecontentedhimselfwithsaying.

"What?"Dr.Kraft'ssurpriseincreased."Youngman,youarefortunate!IplayforMissVertrees;shecomesalwaysalone.

Youarethefirst.YouarethefirstoneEVER!"

Theyhadreachedtheheadofthecentralaisle,andastheorganistfinishedspeakingBibbsstoppedshort,turningtolookatMaryVertreesinadazedwaythatwasnotofherpreceiving;for,thoughshestoppedashedid,hergazefollowedtheorganist,whowaswalkingawayfromthemtowardthefrontofthechurch,shakinghiswhiteBeethovianmaneroguishly.

"It'sfalsepretensesonmypart,"Bibbssaid."Youmeantobekind



tothesick,butI'mnotaninvalidanymore.I'msowellI'mgoingbacktoworkinafewdays.I'dbetterleavebeforehebeginstoplay,hadn'tI?"

"No,"saidMary,beginningtowalkforward."Notunlessyoudon'tlikegreatmusic."

Hefollowedhertoaseatabouthalf-wayuptheaislewhileDr.Kraftascendedtotheorgan.Itwasanenormousone,theprocessionofpipesrangingfromlong,starvelingwhistlestothunderingfatguns;theycoveredalltherearwallofthechurch,andtheorganist'sfigure,reachingitshighperch,lookedlikethatofsomeLilliputianmagicianludicrouslydaringtheattempttoconrolamonstercertaintooverwhelmhim.

"ThisafternoonsomeHandel!"heturnedtoshout.

Marynodded."Willyoulikethat?"sheaskedBibbs.

"Idon'tknow.Ineverheardanyexcept'Largo.'Idon'tknowanythingaboutmusic.Idon'tevenknowhowtopretendIdo.IfIknewenoughtopretend,Iwould."

"No,"saidMary,lookingathimandsmilingfaintly,"youwouldn't."

Sheturnedawayasagreatsoundbegantoswimandtrembleintheair;thehugeemptyspaceofthechurchfilledwithit,andthetwopeoplelisteningfilledwithit;theuniverseseemedtofillandthrillwithit.Thetwosatintenselystill,thegreatsoundallroundaboutthem,whilethechurchgrewdusky,andonlytheorganist'slampmadeatinystaroflight.Hiswhiteheadmovedfromsidetosidebeneathitrhythmically,orlungedandrecoveredwiththefiercenessofaduelistthrusting,buthewasmagnificentlythemasterofhisgiant,anditsangtohismagicashebadeit.

Bibbswassweptawayuponthatmightysinging.Suchathingwaswhollyunknowntohim;therehadbeennomusicinhismeagerlife.

Unlikethetale,itwasthePrincessBedrulbudourwhohadbroughthimtotheenchantedcave,andthat--forBibbs--waswhatmadeitsmagicdazing.Itseemedtohimalong,longtimesincehehadbeenwalkinghomedrearilyfromDr.Gurney'soffice;itseemedtohimthathehadsetoutuponahappyjourneysincethen,andthathehadreachedanotherplanet,whereMaryVertreesandhesatalonetogetherlisteningtoavastchoiringofinvisiblesoldiersandholyangels.Therewerearmiesofvoicesaboutthemsingingpraiseandthanksgiving;andyettheywerealone.Itwasincrediblethatthewallsofthechurchwerenottheboundariesoftheuniverse,toremainsoforever;incrediblethattherewasasmokystreetjustyonder,wherehousemaidswerebringingineveningpapersfromfrontstepsandwherechildrenweretakingtheirlastspinsonroller-skatesbefore

beinghaledindoorsfordinner.

Hehadacurioussenseofcommunicationwithhisnewfriend.Heknewitcouldnotbeso,andyethefeltasifallthetimehespoketoher,saying:"Youhearthisstrain?Youhearthatstrain?Youknowthedreamthatthesesoundsbringtome?"Anditseemedtohimasthoughsheansweredcontinually:"Ihear!Ihearthatstrain,andIhearthenewonethatyouarehearingnow.Iknowthedreamthatthesesoundsbringtoyou.Yes,yes,Ihearitall!Wehear--together!"



Andthoughthechurchgrewsodimthatallwasmysteriousshadowexceptthevagueplanesofthewindowsandtheorganist'slight,withthewhiteheadmovingbeneathit,Bibbshadnoconsciousnessthatthegirlsittingbesidehimhadgrownshadowy;heseemedtoseeherasplainlyaseverinthedarkness,thoughhedidnotlookather.Andallthemightychantingoftheorgan'smultitudinousvoicesthatafternoonseemedtoBibbstobechorusingofherandinterpretingher,singingherthoughtsandsingingforhimtheworldofhumblegratitudethatwasinhisheartbecauseshewassokindtohim.ItallmeantMary.

Butwhensheaskedhimwhatitmeant,ontheirhomewardway,hewassilent.Theyhadcomeafewpacesfromthechurchwithoutspeaking,walkingslowly.

"I'lltellyouwhatitmeanttome,"shesaid,ashedidnotimmediatelyreply."AlmostanymusicofHandel'salwaysmeansonethingaboveallotherstome:courage!That'sit.Itmakescowardiceofwhiningseemsoinfinitesimal--itmakesMOSTthingsinourhustlinglittlelivesseeminfinitesimal."

"Yes,"hesaid."Itseemsodd,doesn'tit,thatpeopledown-townare

hurryingtotrainsandhangingtostrapsintrolley-cars,welteringeverywaytogethomeandfeedandsleepsotheycangetdown-townto-morrow.Andyetthereisn'tanythingdownthereworthgettingto.They'relikeservantsdrudgingtokeepthehousegoing,andbelievingthedrudgeryitselfisthegreatthing.Theymakesomuchnoiseandfussanddirttheyforgetthatthehousewasmeanttolivein.Thehouseworkhastobedone,butthepeoplewhodoithavebeensooverpaidthatthey'reconfusedandworshipthehousework.They'reoverpaid,andyet,poorthings!theyhaven'tanythingthatachickencan'thave.Ofcourse,whentheworldgetstopayingitswagessensiblythatwillbedifferent."

"Doyoumean'communism'?"sheasked,andshemadetheirslowpace

alittleslower--theyhadonlythreeblockstogo.

"Whateverthewordis,Ionlymeanthatthingsdon'tlookverysensiblenow--especiallytoamanthatwantstokeepoutof'emandcan't!'Communism'?Well,atleastany'decentsport'wouldsayit'sfairforallthestrongrunnerstostartfromthesamemarkandgivetheweakonesafairdistanceahead,sothatallcanrunsomethinglikeevenonthestretch.Andwouldn'titbepleasant,really,iftheycouldallcrossthewinning-linetogether?Whoreallyenjoysbeatinganybody--ifheseesthebeatenman'sface?Theonlywaywecanenjoygettingaheadofotherpeoplenowadaysisbyforgettingwhattheotherpeoplefeel.Andthat,"headded,"isnothingofwhatthemusicmeanttome.Yousee,ifIkeeptalkingaboutwhatitdidn't

meanIcankeepfromtellingyouwhatitdidmean."

"Didn'titmeancouragetoyou,too--alittle?"sheasked."Triumphandpraisewereinit,andsomehowthosethingsmeancouragetome."

"Yes,theywereallthere,"Bibbssaid."Idon'tknowthenameofwhatheplayed,butIshouldn'tthinkitwouldmattermuch.Themanthatmakesthemusicmustleaveittoyouwhatitcanmeantoyou,andthenameheputstoitcan'tmakemuchdifference--excepttohimselfandpeopleverymuchlikehim,Isuppose."



"Isupposethat'strue,thoughI'dneverthoughtofitlikethat."

"Iimaginemusicmustmakefeelingsandpaintpicturesinthemindsofthepeoplewhohearit,"Bibbswenton,musingly,"accordingtotheirownnaturesasmuchasaccordingtothemusicitself.Themusicianmightcomposesomethingandplayit,wantingyoutothinkoftheHolyGrail,andsomepeoplewhohearditwouldthinkofaprayer-meeting,andsomewouldthinkofhowgoodtheywerethemselves,andaboymightthinkofhimselfattheheadofasolemnprocession,carryingabannerandridingawhitehorse.Andthen,ifthereweresomejubilantpassagesinthemusic,he'dthinkofacircus."

Theyhadreachedhergate,andshesetherhanduponit,butdidnotopenit.Bibbsfeltthatthiswasalmostthekindestofherkindnesses--nottobepromptinleavinghim.

"Afterall,"shesaid,"youdidn'ttellmewhetheryoulikedit."

"No.Ididn'tneedto."

"No,that'strue,andIdidn'tneedtoask.Iknew.Butyousaidyouweretryingtokeepfromtellingmewhatitdidmean."

"Ican'tkeepfromtellingitanylonger,"hesaid."Themusicmeanttome--itmeantthekindnessof--ofyou."

"Kindness?How?"

"YouthoughtIwasasortoflonelytramp--andsick--"

"No,"shesaid,decidedly."Ithoughtperhapsyou'dliketohearDr.Kraftplay.Andyoudid."

"It'scurious;sometimesitseemedtomethatitwasyouwhowereplaying."

Marylaughed."I?Istrum!Piano.AlittleChopin--Grieg--Chaminade.Youwouldn'tlisten!"

Bibbsdrewadeepbreath."I'mfrightenedagain,"hesaid,inanunsteadyvoice."I'mafraidyou'llthinkI'mpushing,but--"Hepaused,andthewordssanktoamurmur.

"Oh,ifyouwantMEtoplayforyou!"shesaid."Yes,gladly.Itwillbemerelyabsurdafterwhatyouheardthisafternoon.Iplaylikeahundredthousandothergirls,andIlikeit.I'mgladwhenanyone'swillingtolisten,andifyou--"Shestopped,checkedbyasuddenrecollection,andlaughedruefully."Butmypianowon'tbehereafterto-night.I--I'msendingitawayto-morrow.I'mafraid

thatifyou'dlikemetoplaytoyouyou'dhavetocomethisevening."

"You'llletme?"hecried.

"Certainly,ifyoucareto."

"IfIcouldplay--"hesaid,wistfully,"ifIcouldplaylikethatoldmaninthechurchIcouldthankyou."

"Ah,butyouhaven'theardmeplay.IKNOWyoulikedthisafternoon,



but--"

"Yes,"saidBibbs."ItwasthegreatesthappinessI'veeverknown."

Itwastoodarktoseehisface,buthisvoiceheldsuchplainhonesty,andhespokewithsuchcompleteunconsciousnessofsayinganythingespeciallysignificant,thatsheknewitwasthetruth.Foramomentshewasnonplussed,thensheopenedthegateandwentin."You'llcomeafterdinner,then?"

"Yes,"hesaid,notmoving."WouldyoumindifIstoodhereuntiltimetocomein?"

Shehadreachedthesteps,andatthatsheturned,offeringhimtheresponseoflaughterandagaygestureofhermufftowardthelightedwindowsoftheNewHouse,asthoughbiddinghimtorunhometohisdinner.

Thatnight,Bibbssatwritinginhisnote-book.

Musiccancomeintoablanklife,andfillit.Everythingthatisbeautifulismusic,ifyoucanlisten.

Thereisnogracefulnesslikethatofagracefulwomanatagrand

piano.Thereisaswimminglovelinessoflinethatseemstomergewiththerunningofthesound,andyouseem,asyouwatchher,toseewhatyouarehearingandtohearwhatyouareseeing.

Therearewomenwhomakeyouthinkofpinewoodscomingdowntoasparklingsea.Theairaboutsuchawomanisbracing,andwhensheisnearyou,youfeelstrongandambitious;youforgetthattheworlddoesn'tlikeyou.Youthinkthatperhapsyouareagreatfellow,afterall.ThenyoucomeawayandfeellikeaboywhohasfalleninlovewithhisSunday-schoolteacher.You'llbewhippedforit--andoughttobe.

TherearewomenwhomakeyouthinkofDiana,crownedwiththemoon.

Buttheydonothavethe"Greekprofile."IdonotbelieveHelenofTroyhada"Greekprofile";theywouldnothavefoughtaboutherifhernosehadbeenquitethatlong.TheGreeknoseisnottheadorablenose.Theadorablenoseisaboutaneighthofaninchshorter.

MuchofthemusicofWagner,itappears,isnotsuitabletothepiano.Wagnerwasacomposerwhocouldinterpretintomusicsuchthingsastheprimitiveimpulsesofhumanity--hecouldhavemadeamachine-shopintomusic.Butnotifhehadtoworkinit.Wagnerwasalwaysdealinginimmensities--amachine-shopwouldhaveputamajesticlumpinsograndagizzardasthat.

Thereisamysteryaboutpianos,itseems.Sometimestheyhavetobe"sentaway."Thatishowsomepeoplespeakofthepenitentiary."Sentaway"isaeuphuismfor"senttoprison."Butpianosarenotsenttoprison,andtheyarenotsenttothetuner--thetunerissenttothem.Whyarepianos"sentaway"--andwhere?

Sometimesagloriousdayshinesintothemostordinaryanduselesslife.Happinessandbeautycomecarolingoutoftheairintothegloomyhouseofthatlifeasifsomestrayangeljusthappenedtoperchontheroof-tree,restingandsinging.Andthenightafter



suchadayislustrousandsplendidwiththememoryofit.Musicandbeautyandkindness--thosearethethreegreatestthingsGodcangiveus.Tobringthemallinonedaytoonewhoexpectednothing--ah!theheartthatreceivedthemshouldbeashumbleasitisthankful.Butitishardtobehumblewhenoneissorichwithnewmemories.Itisimpossibletobehumbleafteradayofglory.

Yes--theadorablenoseismorethananeighthofaninchshorterthantheGreeknose.Itisafullquarterofaninchshorter.

Therearewomenwhowillbekindertoasicktrampthantoaconqueringhero.Butthesicktramphadbetterrememberthat'swhatheis.Takecare,takecare!Humble'stheword!

That"mysteryaboutpianos"whichtroubledBibbshadbeenamysterytoMr.Vertrees,anditwasbeingexplainedtohimataboutthetimeBibbsscribbledthereferencetoitinhisnotes.Maryhadgoneup-stairsuponBibbs'sdepartureatteno'clock,andMr.andMrs.Vertreessatuntilaftermidnightinthelibrary,talking.Andinallthattimetheyfoundnotonecheerfultopic,butbecamemoredepressedwitheverythingandwitheveryphaseofeverythingthattheydiscussed--noextraordinarystateofaffairsinafamilywhichhasalways"heldupitshead,"onlytoarriveintheendatapointwhereallitcan

doistolookonhelplesslyattheprocessesofitsownfinancialdissolution.Forthatwasthepointwhichthisdespairingcouplehadreached--theycoulddonothingexceptlookonandtalkaboutit.Theywereonlyvaporing,andtheyknewit.

"Sheneedn'ttohavedonethataboutherpiano,"vaporedMr.Vertrees."Wecouldhavemanagedsomehowwithoutit.Atleastsheoughttohaveconsultedme,andifsheinsistedIcouldhavearrangedthedetailswiththe--thedealer."

"Shethoughtthatitmightbe--annoyingforyou,"Mrs.Vertreesexplained."Really,sheplannedforyounottoknowaboutituntiltheyhadremoved--untilafterto-morrow,thatis,butIdecidedto--

tomentionit.Yousee,shedidn'teventellmeaboutituntilthismorning.Shehasanotheridea,too,I'mafraid.It's--it's--"

"Well?"heurged,asshefounditdifficulttogoon.

"Herotherideais--thatis,itwas--Ithinkitcanbeavoided,ofcourse--itwasaboutherfurs."

"No!"heexclaimed,quickly."Iwon'thaveit!Youmustseetothat.I'drathernottalktoheraboutit,butyoumustn'tlether."

"I'lltrynot,"hiswifepromised."Ofcourse,they'reveryhandsome."

"Allthemorereasonforhertokeepthem!"hereturned,irritably."We'renotTHATfargone,Ithink!"

"Perhapsnotyet,"Mrs.Vertreessaid."Sheseemstobetroubledaboutthe--thecoalmatterand--aboutTilly.Ofcoursethepianowilltakecareofsomethingslikethoseforawhileand--"

"Idon'tlikeit.Igaveherthepianotoplayon,notto--"







"Yes.Thatis--well,inaway,ofcourse,oneOFthefamily.ThatMrs.RoscoeSheridanisnota--thatis,she'sratherapleasant-facedlittlewoman,Ithink,andofcourseratherordinary.Ithinksheisinterestedabout--thatis,ofcourse,she'dbeanxioustobemoreintimatewithMary,naturally.She'salwayslookingoverherefromherhouse;shewaslookingoutthewindowthisafternoonwhenMarywentout,Inoticed--thoughIdon'tthinkMarysawher.I'msureshewouldn'tthinkitoutofplaceto--tobefrankaboutmatters.Shecalledtheotherday,andMarymustratherlikeher--shesaidthateveningthatthecallhaddonehergood.Don'tyouthinkitmightbewise?"

"Wise?Idon'tknow.Ifeelthewholematterisimpossible."

"Yes,sodoI,"shereturned,promptly."Itisn'treallyathingweshouldbeconsideringseriously,ofcourse.Still--"

"Ishouldsaynot!Butpossibly--"

Thustheyskirmishedupanddownthefield,butbeforetheyturnedthelightsoutandwentup-stairsitwasthoroughlyunderstoodbetweenthemthatMrs.VertreesshouldseektheearliestopportunitytoobtaindefiniteinformationfromSibylSheridanconcerningthementaland

physicalstatusofBibbs.Andifheweresubjecttoattacksoflunacy,theunhappypairdecidedtopreventthesacrificetheysupposedtheirdaughterintendedtomakeofherself.Altogether,iftherewerespitefulghostsintheoldhousethatnight,eavesdroppinguponthewoefulcomedy,theymusthavediedanewoflaughter!

Mrs.Vertrees'sopportunityoccurredtheverynextafternoon.Darknesshadfallen,andthepiano-movershadcome.Theywerecarryingthepianodownthefrontsteps,andMrs.Vertreeswasstandingintheopendoorwaybehindthem,preparingtowithdraw,whensheheardasharpexclamation;andMrs.RoscoeSheridan,bareheaded,emergedfromtheshadowintothelightofthedoorway.

"Goodgracious!"shecried."Itdidgivemeafright!"

"It'sMrs.Sheridan,isn'tit?"Mrs.Vertreeswasperplexedbythisinformalappearance,butshereflectedthatitmightbeprovidential."Won'tyoucomein?"

"No.Ohno,thankyou!"Sibylpanted,pressingherhandtoherside."Youdon'tknowwhatafrightyou'vegivenme!Anditwasnothingbutyourpiano!"Shelaughedshrilly."Youknow,sinceourtragedycomingsosuddenlytheotherday,youhavenoideahowupsetI'vebeen--almosthysterical!AndIjustglancedoutofthewindow,aminuteorsoago,andsawyourdoorwideopenandblackfiguresofmenagainstthelight,carryingsomethingheavy,andIalmostfainted.

Yousee,itwasjustthewayitlookedwhenIsawthembringingmypoorbrother-in-lawin,nextdoor,onlysuchafewshortdaysago.AndIthoughtI'dseenyourdaughterstartforadrivewithBibbsSheridaninacaraboutthreeo'clock--and--Theyaren'tbackyet,arethey?"

"No.Goodheavens!"

"AndtheonlythingIcouldthinkofwasthatsomethingmusthavehappenedtothem,andIjustdashedover--anditwasonlyyourPIANO!"



Shebrokeintolaughteragain."Isupposeyou'rejustsendingitsomewheretoberepaired,aren'tyou?"

"It's--it'sbeingtakendown-town,"saidMrs.Vertrees."Won'tyoucomeinandmakemealittlevisit.IwasSOsorry,theotherday,thatIwas--ah--"Shestoppedinconsequently,thenrepeatedherinvitation."Won'tyoucomein?I'dreally--"

"Thankyou,butImustberunningback.Myhusbandusuallygetshomeaboutthistime,andImakealittlepointofitalwaystobethere."

"That'sverysweet."Mrs.VertreesdescendedthestepsandwalkedtowardthestreetwithSibyl."It'squitebalmyforsolateinNovember,isn'tit?AlmostlikeaMayevening."

"I'mafraidMissVertreeswillmissherpiano,"saidSibyl,watchingtheinstrumentdisappearintothebigvanatthecurb."Sheplayswonderfully,Mrs.Kittersbytellsme."

"Yes,sheplaysverywell.Oneofyourrelativescametohearheryesterday,afterdinner,andIthinksheplayedalleveningforhim."

"YoumeanBibbs?"askedSibyl.

"The--theyoungestMr.Sheridan.Yes.He'sverymusical,isn'the?"

"Ineverheardofit.ButIshouldn'tthinkitwouldmattermuchwhetherhewasornot,ifhecouldgetMissVertreestoplaytohim.Doesyourdaughterexpectthepianobacksoon?"

"I--Ibelievenotimmediately.Mr.Sheridancamelasteveningtohearherplaybecauseshehadarrangedwiththe--thatis,itwastoberemovedthisafternoon.Heseemsalmostwellagain."

"Yes."Sibylnodded."Hisfather'sgoingtotrytostarthimtowork."

"Heseemsverydelicate,"saidMrs.Vertrees."Ishouldn'tthinkhewouldbeabletostandagreatdeal,eitherphysicallyor--"Shepausedandthenadded,glowingwiththesenseofherownadroitness--"ormentally."

"Oh,mentallyBibbsisallright,"saidSibyl,inanoddvoice.

"Entirely?"Mrs.Vertreesasked,breathlessly.

"Yes,entirely."

"ButhasheALWAYSbeen?"Thisquestioncamewiththesameanxiouseagerness.

"Certainly.Hehadalongsiegeofnervousdyspepsia,buthe'soverit."

"Andyouthink--"

"Bibbsisallright.Youneedn'twor--"Sibylchoked,andpressedherhandkerchieftohermouth."Goodnight,Mrs.Vertrees,"shesaid,hurriedly,asthehead-lightsofanautomobileswungroundthecornerabove,sendingabrighteningglaretowardtheedgeofthepavement



wherethetwoladieswerestanding.

"Won'tyoucomein?"urgedMrs.Vertrees,cordially,hearingthesoundofacheerfulvoiceoutofthedarknessbeyondtheapproachingglare."Do!There'sMarynow,andshe--"

ButSibylwashalf-wayacrossthestreet."No,thanks,"shecalled."Ihopeshewon'tmissherpiano!"Andsheranintoherownhouseandplungedheadlonguponaleatherdivaninthehall,holdingherhandkerchiefoverhermouth.

Thenoiseofhertumultuousentrancewasevidentlystartlinginthequiethouse,foruponthebangofthedoortherefollowedthecrashofadecanter,droppeduponthefloorofthedining-roomattheendofthehall;and,afterarumbleofindistinctprofanity,Roscoecameforth,holdingadrippingnapkininhishand.

"What'syourexcitement?"hedemanded."Whatdoyoufindtogointohystericsover?Anotherdeathinthefamily?"

"Oh,it'sfunny!shegasped."Thoseoldfrost-bittenpeople!IguessTHEY'REgettingtheircome-uppance!"Lyingprone,sheelevatedherfeetintheair,clappedherheelstogetherrepeatedly,inanecstasy.

"Comethrough,comethrough!"saidherhusband,crossly."Whatyoubeenupto?"

"Me?"shecried,droppingherfeetandswingingaroundtofacehim."Nothing.It'sthem!ThoseVertreeses!"Shewipedhereyes."They'vehadtoselltheirpiano!"

"Well,whatofit?"

"ThatMrs.Kittersbytoldmeallabout'emaweekago,"saidSibyl."They'vebeenhardupforalongtime,andshesaysaslongagoaslastwintersheknewthatgirlgotapairofwalking-shoesre-soledandpatched,becauseshegotitdonethesameplaceMrs.Kittersby's

cookhadHERS!Andthenightofthehouse-warmingIkindofgotsuspicious,myself.Shedidn'thaveonesinglepieceofanykindofrealjewelry,andyoucouldseeherdresswasanoldonedoneover.Mencan'ttellthosethings,andyouallmadeabigfussoverher,butIthoughtshelookedasight,myself!Ofcourse,EDITHwascrazytohaveher,and--"

"Well,well?"heurged,impatiently.

"Well,I'mTELLINGyou!Mrs.Kittersbysaystheyhaven'tgotaTHING!JustabsolutelyNOTHING--andtheydon'tknowanywheretoturn!Thefamily'salldiedoutbutthem,andalltherelativestheygotareverydistant,andliveEastandscarcelyknow'em.Shesaysthewhole

town'sbeenwonderingwhatWOULDbecomeof'em.Thegirlhadplentychancestomarryuptoayearorsoago,butshewassoindifferentshescaredthemenoff,andtheonesthathadwantedtowentandmarriedothergirls.Gracious!theywerelucky!MarryHER?ThemanthatfoundhimselftieduptoTHATgirl--"

"Terriblefunny,terriblefunny!"saidRoscoe,withsarcasm."It'ssofunnyIbrokeacut-glassdecanterandspilledaquartof--"

"Wait!"shebegged."You'llsee.Iwassittingbythewindowa



littlewhileago,andIsawabigwagondriveupacrossthestreetandsomemengointothehouse.Itwastoodarktomakeoutmuch,andforaminuteIgottheideatheyweremovingout--thehousehasbeenforeclosedon,Mrs.Kittersbysays.Itseemedfunny,too,becauseIknewthatgirlwasoutridingwithBibbs.Well,IthoughtI'dsee,soIslippedover--anditwastheirPIANO!They'dsolditandweretryingtosneakitoutafterdark,sonobody'dcatchon!"Againshegavewaytoherenjoyment,butresumed,asherhusbandseemedabouttointerruptthenarrative."Waitaminute,can'tyou?Theoldladywassuperintending,andshegaveitallaway.Isizedherupforoneofthoseoldchurchypeoplethattellallkindsofliesexceptwhenitcomestosomanywords,andthentheycan't.Shemightjustaswelltoldmeoutright!Yes,they'dsoldit;andIhopethey'llpaysomeoftheirdebts.Theyoweeverybody,andlastweekacoal-dealermadeanawfulfussatthedoorwithMr.Vertrees.Theircooktoldourupstairsgirl,andshesaidshedidn'tknowWHENshe'dseenanymoney,herself!DidyoueverhearofsuchacaseasthatgirlinyourLIFE?"

"Whatgirl?Theircook?"

"ThatVertreesgirl!Don'tyouseetheylookedonourcomingupintothisneighborhoodastheirlastchance?Theywerejustgoingdownandout,andherebobsupthegreen,richSheridanfamily!Sotheydoll

thegirlupinheroldthings,madeover,andsendherouttogetaSheridan--she'sGOTtogetone!Andshejustgoesinblind;andshetriesitonfirstwithYOU.Youremember,shejustplainTOLDyoushewasgoingtomashyou,andthenshefoundoutyouwerethemarriedone,andturnedrightsquarearoundtoJimandcarriedhimoffhisfeet.Oh,Jimwaslanded--there'snodoubtaboutTHAT!ButJimwaslucky;hedidn'tlivetoSTAYlanded,andit'sagoodthingforhim!"Sibyl'smirthhadvanished,andshespokewithvirulentrapidity."Well,shecouldn'tgetyou,becauseyouweremarried,andshecouldn'tgetJim,becauseJimdied.Andtheretheywere,deadbroke!Doyouknowwhatshedid?Doyouknowwhatshe'sDOING?"

"No,Idon't,"saidRoscoe,gruffly.

Sibyl'svoiceroseandculminatedinascreamofrenewedhilarity."BIBBS!Shewaitedinthegrave-yard,anddrovehomewithhimfromJIM'SFUNERAL!Neverspoketohimbefore!Jimwasn'tCOLD!"

Sherockedherselfbackandforthuponthedivan."Bibbs!"sheshrieked."Bibbs!Roscoe,THINKofit!BIBBS!"

Hestaredunsympathetically,buthermirthwasunabatedforallthat."Andyesterday,"shecontinued,betweenparoxysms--"yesterdayshecameoutofthehouse--justashewaspassing.Shemusthavebeenlookingout--waitingforthechance;Isawtheoldladywatchingatthewindow!Andshegothimtherelastnight--to'PLAY'tohim;the

oldladygavethataway!Andto-dayshemadehimtakeheroutinamachine!Andthecreamofitisthattheydidn'tevenknowwhetherhewasINSANEornot--theythoughtmaybehewas,butshewentafterhimjustthesame!Theoldladysetherselftopumpmeaboutitto-day.BIBBS!Oh,myLord!BIBBS!"

ButRoscoelookedgrim."Soit'sfunnytoyou,isit?Itsoundskindofpitifultome.Ishouldthinkitwouldtoawoman,too."

"Oh,itmight,"shereturned,sobering."Itmight,ifthosepeople



weren'tsuchfrozen-facedsmartAlecks.Ifthey'dhadthedecencytocomedownofftheperchalittleIprobablywouldn'tthinkitwasfunny,buttosee'emsitupontheirpedestalallthetimethey'reeatingdirt--well,Ithinkit'sfunny!ThatgirlsitsupasifshewasQueenElizabeth,andexpectspeopletowallowonthegroundbeforeheruntiltheygetnearenoughforhertogive'emagoodkickwithheroldpatchedshoes--oh,she'ddoTHAT,allright!--andthenshepowdersupandgoesouttomash--BIBBSSHERIDAN!"

"Lookhere,"saidRoscoe,heavily;"Idon'tcareaboutthatonewayoranother.Ifyou'rethrough,IgotsomethingIwanttotalktoyouabout.Iwasgoingto,thatdayjustbeforeweheardaboutJim."

AtthisSibylstiffenedquickly;hereyesbecameintenselybright."Whatisit?"

"Well,"hebegan,frowning,"whatIwasgoingtosaythen--"Hebrokeoff,and,becomingconsciousthathewasstillholdingthewetnapkininhishand,threwitpettishlyintoacorner."IneverexpectedI'dhavetosayanythinglikethistoanybodyIMARRIED;butIwasgoingtoaskyouwhatwasthematterbetweenyouandLamhorn."

Sibylutteredasharpmonosyllable."Well?"

"Ifeltthetimehadcomeformetoknowaboutit,"hewenton."Younevertoldmeanything--"

"Youneverasked,"sheinterposed,curtly.

"Well,we'dgotinawayofnottalkingmuch,"saidRoscoe."Itlookstomenowasifwe'dprettymuchlosttherunofeachotherthewayagoodmanypeopledo.Idon'tsayitwasn'tmyfault.Iwasupearlyanddowntoworkallday,andI'dcomehometiredatnight,andwanttogotobedsoonasI'dgotthepaperread--unlesstherewassomegoodmusicalshowintown.Well,youseemedallrightuntilherelately,thelastmonthorso,Ibegantoseesomethingwaswrong.Icouldn'thelpseeingit."

"Wrong?"shesaid."Whatlike?"

"Youchanged;youdidn'tlookthesame.Youwereallstrungupandexcitedandfidgety;yougottolookingpeakidandrundown.Nowthen,Lamhornhadbeengoingwithusagoodwhile,butInoticedthatnotlongagoyougottopickingonhimabouteverylittlethinghedid;yougottoquarrelingwithhimwhenIwasthereandwhenIwasn't.Icouldseeyou'dbeenquarrelingwheneverIcameinandhewashere."

"Doyouobjecttothat?"askedSibyl,breathingquickly.

"Yes--whenitinjuresmywife'shealth!"hereturned,withaquickliftofhiseyestohers."Youbegantorundownjustaboutthetimeyoubeganfallingoutwithhim."Hesteppedclosetoher."Seehere,Sibyl,I'mgoingtoknowwhatitmeans."

"Oh,youARE?"shesnapped.

"You'retrembling,"hesaid,gravely.

"Yes.I'mangryenoughtodomorethantremble,you'llfind.Goon!"



"ThatwasallIwasgoingtosaytheotherday,"hesaid."Iwasgoingtoaskyou--"

"Yes,thatwasallyouweregoingtosayTHEOTHERDAY.Yes.Whatelsehaveyoutosayto-night?"

"To-night,"hereplied,withgrimswiftness,"Iwanttoknowwhyyoukeeptelephoninghimyouwanttoseehimsincehestoppedcominghere."

Shemadealong,lowsoundofcomprehensionbeforeshesaid,"AndwhatelsedidEdithwantyoutoaskme?"

"IwanttoknowwhatyousayoverthetelephonetoLamhorn,"hesaid,fiercely.

"IsthatallEdithtoldyoutoaskme?Yousawherwhenyoustoppedinthereonyourwayhomethisevening,didn'tyou?Didn'tshetellyouthenwhatIsaidoverthetelephonetoMr.Lamhorn?"

"No,shedidn't!"hevociferated,hisvoicegrowinglouder."Shesaid,'YoutellyourwifetostoptelephoningRobertLamhorntocomeandseeher,becauseheisn'tgoingtodoit!'That'swhatshesaid!

AndIwanttoknowwhatitmeans.Iintend--"

Amaidappearedatthelowerendofthehall."Dinnerisready,"shesaid,and,givingthetroubledpaironeglance,wentdemurelyintothedining-room.Roscoedisregardedtheinterruption.

"Iintendtoknowexactlywhathasbeengoingon,"hedeclared."Imeantoknowjustwhat--"

Sibyljumpedup,almosttouchinghim,standingfacetofacewithhim.

"Oh,youDO!"shecried,shrilly."Youmeantoknowjustwhat'swhat,doyou?Youlistentoyoursisterinsinuatinguglythingsaboutyour

wife,andthenyoucomehomemakingascenebeforetheservantsandhumiliatingmeintheirpresence!DoyousupposethatIrishgirldidn'theareverywordyousaid?Yougointhereandeatyourdinneralone!Goon!Goandeatyourdinneralone--becauseIwon'teatwithyou!"

Andshebrokeawayfromthedetaininggrasphesoughttofastenuponher,anddashedupthestairway,panting.Heheardthedoorofherroomslamoverhead,andthesharpclickofthekeyinthelock.

Atseveno'clockonthelastmorningofthatmonth,Sheridan,passingthroughtheupperhallonhiswaytodescendthestairsforbreakfast,

foundacoupleofscribbledsheetsofnote-paperlyingonthefloor.AwindowhadbeenopeninBibbs'sroomtheeveningbefore;hehadlefthisnote-bookonthesill--andthesheetswereloose.Thedoorwasopen,andwhenBibbscameinandclosedit,hedidnotnoticethatthetwosheetshadblownoutintothehall.Sheridanrecognizedthehandwritingandputthesheetsinhiscoatpocket,intendingtogivethemtoGeorgeorJacksonforreturntotheowner,butheforgotandcarriedthemdown-townwithhim.Atnoonhefoundhimselfaloneinhisoffice,and,havingalittleleisure,rememberedthebitsofmanuscript,tookthemout,andglancedatthem.Agrancewasenough



torevealthattheywerenotepistolary.Sheridanwouldnothavereada"privateletter"thatcameintohispossessioninthatway,thoughina"matterofbusiness"hemighthavefeltithisdutytotakeadvantageofanopportunityaffordedinanymannerwhatsoever.HavingsatisfiedhimselfthatBibbs'sscribblingswereonlyasampleofthekindofwritinghissonpreferredtothemachine-shop,hedecided,innocentlyenough,thathewouldbejustifiedinreadingthem.

Itappearsthataladywillnodpleasantlyuponsomewindygeneralizationofacompanion,andwillwearthemostagreeableexpressionofacceptingitasthelaw,andthen--daysafterward,whenthethingisamummytoitspromulgator--shewillinquireoutofaclearsky:"WHYdidyousaythatthepeopledown-townhavenothinginlifethatachickenhasn't?Whatdidyoumean?"Andshemaysayitinamannerthatmakesasensiblereplyverydifficult--youwillbesofullofwonderthatsherememberedsoseriously.

Yet,whatdoestheroosterlack?Hehasfoodandshelter;heiswarminwinter;hiswivesraisenotonefinefamilyforhim,butdozens.Hehasaclearskyoverhim;hebreathessweetair;hewalksinhisAprilorchardunderaroofofflowers.Hemustdie,violentlyperhaps,butquickly.IsMidas'scancerabetterway?Therooster'swivesandchildrenmustdie.ArethoseofMidas

immortal?HislifeisshorterthanthelifeofMidas,butMidas'slifeisonlyasixthaslongasthatoftheGalapagostortoise.

Theworthymoney-workertakeshisvacationsothathemayrefreshhimselfanewforthehardworkofgettingnothingthattheroosterdoesn'tget.Theoffice-buildinghasanelevator,theroosterfliesuptothebough.Midashasamachinetotakehimtohiswork;theroosterfindshiswormunderfoot.The"businessman"feelsapressuresometimes,withoutknowingwhy,andsitslateatwineaftertheday'slabor;nextmorninghecurseshisheadbecauseitinterfereswiththework--heswearsnevertorelievethatpressureagain.Theroosterhasnopressureandnowine;thisdifferenceisinhisfavor.

Theroosterisadependent;hedependsuponthefarmerandtheweather.Midasisadependent;hedependsuponthefarmerandtheweather.Theroosterthinksonlyofthemoment;Midasprovidesforto-morrow.Whatdoesheprovideforto-morrow?Nothingthattheroosterwillnothavewithoutproviding.

Theroosterandtheprosperousworker:theyareborn,theygrub,theylove;theygrubandlovegrubbing;theygrubandtheydie.Neitherknowsbeauty;neitherknowsknowledge.Andafterall,whenMidasdiesandtheroosterdies,thereisonethingMidashashadandroosterhasnot.Midashashadtheexcitementofaccumulatingwhathehasgrubbed,andthathasbeenhislifeandhisloveand

hisgod.Hecannottakethatgodwithhimwhenhedies.Iwonderiftheworthygodsarethosewecantakewithus.

MidasmustteachalltobeasMidas;theyoungmustberaisedinhisreligion--

Themanuscriptendedthere,andSheridanwasnotanxiousformore.Hecrumpledthesheetsintoaball,depositingit(withvigor)inawaste-basketbesidehim;then,rising,heconsultedaCyclopediaofNames,whichabook-agenthadsomehowsoldtohimyearsbefore;



avolumenowfirstputtouseforthelocationof"Midas."Havingreadthelegend,Sheridanwalkedupanddownthespaciousoffice,exhalingthebreathofcontempt."Dam'fool!"hemumbled.Butthiswasnonewthought,norwasthecontrarinessofBibbs'snotesasurpisetohim;andpresentlyhedismissedthematterfromhismind.

Hefeltverylonely,andthiswas,daily,hishardesthour.ForalongtimeheandJimhadlunchedtogetherhabitually.Roscoepreferredaclubluncheon,butJimandhisfatheralmostalwayswenttoasmallrestaurantneartheSheridanBuilding,wheretheyspenttwentyminutesintheconsumptionoffood,andtwentyintalk,withcigars.Jimcameforhisfathereveryday,atfiveminutesaftertwelve,andSheridanwasagaininhisofficeatfiveminutesbeforeone.ButnowthatJimnolongercame,Sheridanremainedaloneinhisoffice;hehadnotgoneouttolunchsinceJim'sdeath,nordidhehaveanythingsenttohim--hefasteduntilevening.

ItwasthetimehemissedJimpersonallythemost--thevoiceandeyesandhandshake,allbriskandalert,allbusiness-like.ButthesethingswerenotthekeenestinSheridan'sgrief;hissenseoflosswentfardeeper.Roscoewasdependable,asteadyoldwheel-horse,andthatwasagreatcomfort;butitwasinJimthatSheridanhadmosthappilyperceivedhisownlikeness.Jimwastheonewhowouldhave

beensuresttokeepthegreatpropertygrowinggreater,yearbyyear.Sheridanhadfallenasleep,nightafternight,picturingwhatthegrowthwouldbeunderJim.HehadbelievedthatJimwasabsolutelycertaintobeoneofthebiggestmeninthecountry.Well,itwasalluptoRoscoenow!

ThatremindedhimofaquestionhehadinmindtoaskRoscoe.ItwasaquestionSheridanconsideredofnopresentimportance,buthiswifehadsuggestedit--thoughvaguely--andhehadmeanttospeaktoRoscoeaboutit.However,Roscoehadnotcomeintohisfather'sofficeforseveraldays,andwhenSheridanhadseenhissonathometherehadbeennoopportunity.

Hewaiteduntilthegreaterpartofhisday'sworkwasover,towardfouro'clock,andthenwentdowntoRoscoe'soffice,whichwasonalowerfloor.HefoundseveralmenwaitingforbusinessinterviewsinanouterroomoftheseriesRoscoeoccupied;andhesupposedthathewouldfindhissonbusywithothers,andthathisquestionwouldhavetobepostponed,butwhenheenteredthedoormarked"R.C.Sheridan.Private,"Roscoewastherealone.

Hewassittingwithhisbacktothedoor,hisfeetonawindow-sill,andhedidnotturnashisfatheropenedthedoor.

"Someprettygoodmenouttherewaitin'toseeyou,myboy,"saidSheridan."What'sthematter?"

"Nothing,"Roscoeansweredindistinctly,notmoving.

"Well,Iguessthat'sallright,too.Ilet'emwaitsometimesmyself!Ijustwantedtoaskyouaquestion,butIexpectit'llkeep,ifyou'reworkin'somethingoutinyourmind!"

Roscoemadenoreply;andhisfather,whohadturnedtothedoor,pausedwithhishandontheknob,staringcuriouslyatthemotionlessfigureinthechair.Usuallythesonseemedpleasedandeagerwhen



hecametotheoffice."You'reallright,ain'tyou?"saidSheridan."Notsick,areyou?"

"No."

Sheridanwaspuzzled;then,abruptly,hedecidedtoaskhisquestion."IwantedtotalktoyouaboutthatyoungLamhorn,"hesaid."Iguessyourmotherthinkshe'scomin'toseeEdithprettyoften,andyouknownhimlonger'nanyofus,so--"

"Iwon't,"saidRoscoe,thickly--"Iwon'tsayadam'thingabouthim!"

Sheridanutteredanexclamationandwalkedquicklytoapositionnearthewindowwherehecouldseehisson'sface.Roscoe'seyeswerebloodshotandvacuous;hishairwasdisordered,hismouthwasdistorted,andhewasdeathlypale.Thefatherstoodaghast.

"ByGeorge!"hemuttered."ROSCOE!"

"Myname,"saidRoscoe."Can'helpthat."

"ROSCOE!"BlankastonishmentwasSheridan'sfirstsensation.ProbablynothingintheworldcouldhavemoreamazedhisthantofindRoscoe--thesteadyoldwheel-horse--inthiscondition."How'dyou

GETthisway?"hedemanded."Youcaughtcoldandtooktoomuchforit?"

ForreplyRoscoelaughedhoarsely."Yeuh!Cold!Ibeendrinkunalltime,lately.Firs'younoticeit?"

"ByGeorge!"criedSheridan."ITHOUGHTI'dsmeltitonyouagooddeallately,butIwouldn't'a'believedyou'dtakemore'nwasgoodforyou.Boh!Toseeyoulikeacommonhog!"

Roscoechuckledandthrewouthisrightarminameaninglessgesture."Hog!"herepeated,chuckling.

"Yes,ahog!"saidSheridan,angrily."Inbusinesshours!Idon'tobjecttoanybody'stakin'adrinkifyouwantsto,outo'businesshours;nor,ifamankeepshisworkrightuptothescratch,Iwouldn'tbetheonetobastehimifhegotgoodan'drunkonceintwo,threeyears,maybe.Itain'tMYway.Iletitalone,butIneverbelievedinforcin'mywayonagrown-upsoninmoralmatters.IguessIwaswrong!Youthinkthemmenouttherearewaitin'totalkbusinesswithadrunkard?Youthinkyoucancometoyourofficeanddobusinessdrunk?ByGeorge!Iwonderhowoftenthishasbeenhappeningandmenotontoit!I'llhavealookoveryourbooksto-morrow,andI'll--"

Roscoestumbledtohisfeet,laughingwildly,andstoodswaying,

contrivingtoholdhimselfinpositionbyclutchingthebackoftheheavychairinwhichhehadbeensitting.

"Hoo--hoorah!"hecried."'Smyprinciples,too.Bedrunkardallyouwantto--outsidebusinesshours.Don'forGossakele'n'thinginnerferebusinesshours!Business!Thassit!You'reright,father.Drink!Die!L'everythinggotohell,butDON'letinnerferebusiness!"

SheridanhadseizedthetelephoneuponRoscoe'sdesk,andwascalling





Theywentoutintothemainhallbyasidedoor,notpassingthroughtheouteroffice;andSheridanwaitedforanemptyelevator,stoppedit,andtoldtheoperatortotakeonnomorepassengersuntiltheyreachedthegroundfloor.Roscoewalkedoutofthebuildingandgotintotheautomobilewithoutlurching,andtwentyminuteslaterwalkedintohisownhouseinthesamemanner,neitherhenorhisfatherhavingspokenawordintheinterval.

Sheridandidnotgoinwithhim;hewenthome,andtohisownroomwithoutmeetinganyofhisfamily.ButashepassedBibbs'sdoorheheardfromwithinthesoundofacheerfulyoungvoicehummingjubilantfragmentsofsong:

WHOlooksamustangintheeye?...Withaleapfromthegroundtothesaddleinabound.Andaway--andaway!Hi-yay!

ItwasthefirsttimeinSheridan'slifethathehadeverdetectedanymusicalsymptomwhateverinBibbs--hehadneverevenheardhimwhistle--anditseemedthelasttouchofironythattheuselessfoolshouldbemerryto-day.

ToSheridanitwasTomo'Bedlamsingingwhilethehouseburned;andhedidnottarrytoenjoythemelody,butwentintohisownroomandlockedthedoor.

Heemergedonlyuponasecondsummonstodinner,twohourslater,andcametothetablesowhiteandsilentthathiswifemadeheranxietymanifestandwasbutpartiallyreassuredbyhisexplanationthathislunchhad"disagreed"withhimalittle.

Presently,however,hespokeeffectively.Bibbs,whoseappetitehadbecomehearty,washelpinghimselftoasecondbreastofcaponfromwhite-jacket'ssalver."Here'sanotherdifferencebetweenMidasandchicken,"Sheridanremarked,grimly."Midascaneatrooster,butroostercan'teatMidas.Ireckonyouoverlookedthat.Midaslookstomelikehehadtheadvantagethere."

Bibbsretainedenoughpresenceofmindtotransferthecaponbreasttohisplatewithoutdroppingitandtorespond,"Yes--hecrowsoverit."

Havingreturnedhisantagonists'sfireinthisfashion,heblushed--forhecouldblushdistinctlynow--andhismotherlookeduponhimwithpleasure,thoughtthereferencetoMidasandroosterswasofcoursejargontoher."Didyoueverseeanybodyimprovethewaythatchildhas!"sheexclaimed."Ideclare,Bibbs,sometimeslatelyyoulookrighthandsome!"

"He'sgottobesuchagadabout,"Edithgiggled.

"Ifoundsomethingofhisonthefloorup-stairsthismorning,beforeanybodywasup,"saidSheridan."Ireckonifpeoplelosethingsinthishouseandexpecttoget'emback,theybettergetupassoonasIdo."

"Whatwasithelost?"askedEdith.

"Heknows!"herfatherreturned."SeemstomelikeIforgottobringithomewithme.Ilookeditover--thoughtprobablyitwassomethingprettyimportant,belongin'toabusymanlikehim."Heaffectedto



searchhispockets."WhatDIDIdowithit,now?Ohyes!SeemstomelikeIrememberleavin'itdownattheoffice--inthewaste-basket."

"Goodplaceforit,"Bibbsmurmured,stillred.

Sheridangavehimagrin."Perhapsprettysoonyou'llbegettin'upearlyenoughtofindthingsbeforeIdo!"

Itwasathreat,andBibbsrepeatedthesubstanceofit,laterintheevening,toMaryVertrees--theyhadcometoknoweachotherthatwell.

"Mytime'shereatlast,"hesaid,astheysattogetherinthemelancholygas-lightoftheroomwhichhadbeendenudedofitspiano.ThatremovalhadleftanemptinesssodistressingtoMr.andMrs.Vertreesthatneitherofthemhadcrossedthethresholdsincethedarkday;butthegas-light,thoughfromasinglejet,shednomelancholyuponBibbs,norcouldanyroomseembarethatknewtheglowingpresenceofMary.Hespokelightly,notsadly.

"Yes,it'scome.I'veshirkedandputoff,butIcan'tshirkandputoffanylonger.It'sreallymyparttogotohim--atleastitwouldsavemyface.Hemeanswhathesays,andthetime'scometoservemysentence.Hardlaborforlife,Ithink."

Maryshookherhead."Idon'tthinkso.He'stookind."

"Youthinkmyfather'sKIND?"AndBibbsstaredather.

"Yes.I'msureofit.I'vefeltthathehasagreat,braveheart.It'sonlythathehastobekindinhisownway--becausehecan'tunderstandanyotherway."

"Ahyes,"saidBibbs."Ifthat'swhatyoumeanby'kind'!"

Shelookedathimgravely,earnestconcerninherfriendlyeyes."It'sgoingtobeprettyhardforyou,isn'tit?"

"Oh--self-pity!"hereturned,smiling."Thishasbeenjustthelastflickerofrevolt.Nobodymindsworkifhelikesthekindofwork.There'dbenoloafersintheworldifeachmanfoundthethingthathecoulddobest;buttheonlyworkIhappentowanttodoisuseless--soIhavetogiveitup.To-morrowI'llbeaday-laborer."

"Whatisitlike--exactly?"

"Igetupatsix,"hesaid."Ihavealunch-baskettocarrywithme,whichisaristocraticandnoadvantage.Theotherworkmenhavetinbuckets,andtinbucketsarebetter.Ileavethehouseatsix-thirty,andI'matworkinmyoverallsatseven.Ihaveanhouroffatnoon,

andworkagainfromonetillfive."

"Buttheworkitself?"

"Itwasn'tmuscularlyexhausting--notatall.Theycouldn'tgivemeaheavierjobbecauseIwasn'tgoodenough."

"Butwhatwillyoudo?Iwanttoknow."

"WhenIleft,"saidBibbs,"Iwas'on'whattheycalloverthere



a'clipping-machine,'inoneofthe'by-products'departments,andthat'swhatI'llbesentbackto."

"Butwhatisit?"sheinsisted.

Bibbsexplained."It'sverysimpleandveryeasy.Ifeedlongstripsofzincintoapairofsteeljaws,andthejawsbitethezincintolittlecircles.AllIhavetodoistoseethatthestripgoesintothejawsatacertainangle--andyetIwasaverybadhandatit."

Hehadkepthisvoicecheerfulashespoke,buthehadgrownashadepaler,andtherewasalatentanguishdeepinhiseyes.Hemayhaveknownitandwishedhernottoseeit,forheturnedaway.

"Youdothatalldaylong?"sheasked,andashenodded,"Itseemsincredible!"sheexclaimed."YOUfeedingastripofzincintoamachineninehoursaday!Nowonder--"Shebrokeoff,andthen,afterakeenglanceathisface,shesaid:"IshouldthinkyouWOULDhavebeena'badhandatit'!"

Helaughedruefully."Ithinkit'sthenoise,thoughI'mashamedtosayit.Yousee,it'saverypowerfulmachine,andthere'sasortofrhythmicalcrashing--acrasheverytimethejawsbiteoffacircle."

"Howoftenisthat?"

"Thethingshouldmakeaboutsixty-eightdisksaminute--alittlemorethanoneasecond."

"Andyou'reclosetoit?"

"Oh,theworkmanhastositinitslap,"hesaid,turningtohermoregaily."Theothersdon'tmind.Yousee,it'ssomethingwrongwithme.Ihaveanidioticwayofflinchingfromtheconfoundedthing--Iflinchandduckalittleeverytimethecrashcomes,andIcouldn'tgetoverit.Iwasatreattotheotherworkmeninthatroom;they'llbegladtoseemeback.Theyusedtolaughatmealldaylong."

Mary'sgazewasavertedfromBibbsnow;shesatwithherelbowrestingonthearmofthechair,herliftedhandpressedagainsthercheek.Shewasstaringatthewall,andhereyeshadaburningbrightnessinthem.

"Itdoesn'tseempossibleanyonecoulddothattoyou,"shesaid,inalowvoice."No.He'snotkind.Heoughttobeproudtohelpyoutotheleisuretowritebooks;itshouldbehisgreatestprivilegetohavethempublishedforyou--"

"Can'tyouSEEhim?"Bibbsinterrupted,afaintrippleofhilarityinhisvoice."Ifhecouldunderstandwhatyou'resaying--andifyoucan

imaginehistakingsuchanotion,he'dhavehadR.T.Blossputuppostersalloverthecountry:'ReadB.Sheridan.ReadthePoetwithaPunch!'No.It'sjustaswellhenevergotthe--Butwhat'stheuse?I'veneverwrittenanythingworthprinting,andInevershall."

"Youcould!"shesaid.

"That'sbecauseyou'veneverseenthepoorlittlethingsI'vetriedtodo."



"Youwouldn'tletme,butIKNOWyoucould!Ah,it'sapity!"

"Itisn't,"saidBIBBS,honestly."Inevercould--butyou'rethekindestladyinthisworld,MissVertrees."

Shegavehimaflashingglance,anditwasaskindashesaidshewas."Thatsoundswrong,"shesaid,impulsively."Imean'MissVertrees.'I'vethoughtofyoubyyourfirstnameeversinceImetyou.Wouldn'tyourathercallme'Mary'?"

Bibbswasdazzled;hedrewalong,deepbreathanddidnotspeak.

"Wouldn'tyou?"sheasked,withoutatraceofcoquetry.

"IfICAN!"hesaid,inalowvoice.

"Ah,that'sverypretty!"shelaughed."You'resuchanhonestperson,it'spleasanttohaveyougallantsometimes,bywayofvariety."Shebecamegraveagainimmediately."Ihearmyselflaughingasifitweresomeoneelse.Itsoundslikelaughterontheeveofagreatcalamity."Shegotuprestlessly,crossedtheroomandleanedagainstthewall,facinghim."You'veGOTtogobacktothatplace?"

Henodded.

"Andtheothertimeyoudidit--"

"Justoverit,"saidBibbs."Twoyears.ButIdon'tmindtheprospectofarepetitionsomuchas--"

"Somuchaswhat?"sheprompted,ashestopped.

Bibbslookedupathershyly."Iwanttosayit,but--butIcometoadeadbalkwhenItry.I--"

"Goon.Sayit,whateveritis,"shebadehim."Youwouldn'tknowhowtosayanythingIshouldn'tlike."

"Idoubtifyou'deitherlikeordislikewhatIwanttosay,"hereturned,movinguncomfortablyinhischairandlookingathisfeet--heseemedtofeelawkward,thoroughly."Yousee,allmylife--untilImetyou--ifIeverfeltlikesayinganything,Iwroteitinstead.Sayingthingsisanewtrickforme,andthis--well,it'sjustthis:IusedtofeelasifIhadn'teverhadanysortofalifeatall.I'dneverbeenofusetoanythingoranybody,andI'dneverhadanything,myself,exceptakindofhaphazardthinking.Butnowit'sdifferent--I'mstillofnousetoanybody,andIdon'tseeanyprospectofbeinguseful,butIhavehadsomethingformyself.I'vehadabeautifulandhappyexperience,anditmakesmylifeseemtobe--ImeanI'mgladI'velivedit!That'sall;it'syourlettingmebenearyou

sometimes,asyouhave,thisstrange,beautiful,happylittlewhile!"

Hedidnotoncelookup,andreachedsilence,attheendofwhathehadtosay,withhiseyesstillawkwardlyregardinghisfeet.Shedidnotspeak,butasoftrustlingofhergarmentslethimknowthatshehadgonebacktoherchairagain.Thehousewasstill;theshabbyoldroomwassoquietthatthesoundofacreakinginthewallseemedsharpandloud.

Andyet,whenMaryspokeatlast,hervoicewasbarelyaudible.



"Ifyouthinkithasbeen--happy--tobefriendswithme--you'dwantto--tomakeitlast."

"Yes,"saidBibbs,asfaintly.

"You'dwanttogoonbeingmyfriendaslongaswelive,wouldn'tyou?"

"Yes,"hegulped.

"Butyoumakethatkindofspeechtomebecauseyouthinkit'sover."

Hetriedtoevadeher."Oh,aday-laborercan'tcomeinhisoveralls--"

"No,"sheinterrupted,withasuddensharpness."Yousaidwhatyoudidbecauseyouthinktheshop'sgoingtokillyou."

"No,no!"

"Yes,youdothinkthat!"Sherosetoherfeetagainandcameandstoodbeforehim."Oryouthinkit'sgoingtosendyoubacktothesanitarium.Don'tdenyit,Bibbs.There!SeehoweasilyIcallyouthat!YouseeI'mafriend,orIcouldn'tdoit.Well,ifyoumeant

whatyousaid--andyoudidmeanit,Iknowit!--you'renotgoingtogobacktothesanitarium.Theshopsha'n'thurtyou.Itsha'n't!"

AndnowBibbslookedup.Shestoodbeforehim,straightandtall,splendidingenerousstrength,hereyesshiningandwet.

"IfImeanTHATmuchtoyou,"shecried,"theycan'tharmyou!Gobacktotheshop--butcometomewhenyourday'sworkisdone.Letthemachinescrashtheirsixty-eighttimesaminute,butremembereachcrashthatdeafensyouisthatmuchnearertheeveningandme!"

Hestumbledtohisfeet."Yousay--"hegasped.

"Everyevening,dearBibbs!"

Hecouldonlystare,bewildered.

"EVERYevening.Iwantyou.Theysha'n'thurtyouagain!"Andsheheldoutherhandtohim;itwasstrongandwarminhistremulousclasp."IfIcould,I'dgoandfeedthestripsofzinctothemachinewithyou,"shesaid."ButalldaylongI'llsendmythoughtstoyou.Youmustkeeprememberingthatyourfriendstandsbesideyou.Andwhentheworkisdone--won'tthenightmakeupfortheday?"

Lightseemedtoglowfromher;hewasblindedbythatradianceofkindness.Butallhecouldsaywas,huskily,"Tothinkyou'rethere

--withme--standingbesidetheoldzinc-eater--"

Andtheylaughedandlookedateachother,andatlastBibbsfoundwhatitmeantnottobealoneintheworld.Hehadafriend.

WhenhecameintotheNewHouse,afewminuteslater,hefoundhisfathersittingalonebythelibraryfire.Bibbswentinandstoodbeforehim."I'mcured,father,"hesaid."WhendoIgobacktotheshop?I'mready."



Thedesolateandgrimoldmandidnotrelax."Iwassittin'uptogiveyoualastchancetosaysomethinglikethat.Ireckonit'sabouttime!Ijustwantedtoseeifyou'dhavemanhoodenoughnottomakemetakeyouovertherebythecollar.LastnightImadeupmymindI'dgiveyoujustonemoreday.Well,yougottoitbeforeIdid--prettyclosetotheeleventhhour!Allright.Startinto-morrow.It'sthefirsto'themonth.Thinkyoucangetupintime?"

"Sixo'clock,"Bibbsresponded,briskly."AndIwanttotellyou--I'mgoingina'cheerfulspirit.'Asyousaid,I'llgoandI'll'likeit'!"

"That'sYOURlookout!"hisfathergrunted."They'llputyoubackontheclippin'-machine.Yougetninedollarsaweek."

"MorethanI'mworth,too,"saidBibbs,cheerily."Thatremindsme,Ididn'tmeanYOUby'Midas'inthatnonsenseI'dbeenwriting.Imeant--"

"Makesahellofaloto'differencewhatyoumeant!"

"Ijustwantedyoutoknow.Goodnight,father."

"G'night!"

Thesoundoftheyoungman'sfootstepsascendingthestairsbecameinaudible,andthehousewasquiet.Butpresently,asSheridansatstaringangrilyatthefire,theshufflingofapairofsliperscouldbehearddescending,andMrs.Sheridanmadeherappearance,herobliqueexpressionandthestateofhertoilettebeingthoseofapersonwho,aftertryingunsuccessfullytosleepononeside,hasgotuptolookforburglars.

"Papa!"sheexclaimed,drowsily."Why'n'tyougotobed?Itmustbegoin'on'leveno'clock!"

Sheyawned,andseatedherselfnearhim,stretchingoutherhandstothefire."What'sthematter?"sheasked,sleepandanxietystrivingsluggishlywitheachotherinhervoice."Iknewyouwereworriedalldinner-time.YougotsomethingnewonyourmindbesidesJim'sbein'takenawaylikehewas.What'sworryin'younow,papa?"

"Nothin'."

Shejeeredfeebly."N'tellMEthat!YousatuptoseeBibbs,didn'tyou?"

"Hestartsinattheshopagainto-morrowmorning,"saidSheridan.

"Justthesameashedidbefore?"

"Justpre-CISELY!"

"How--howlongyougoin'tokeephimatit,papa?"sheasked,timidly.

"UntilheKNOWSsomething!"Theunhappymanstruckhispalmstogether,thengottohisfeetandbegantopacetheroom,aswashiswontwhenhetalked."He'llgobacktothemachinehecouldn'tlearn



totendproperlyinthesixmonthshewasthere,andhe'llsticktoittillheDOESlearnit!DoyousupposethatlummixeveraskedhimselfWHYIwanthimtolearnit?No!AndIain'ta-goin'totellhim,either!WhenhewentthereIhad'emsethimonthesimplestmachinewegot--andhestuckthere!Howmuchprospectwouldtherebeofhislearnin'torunthewholebusinessifhecan'truntheeasiestmachineinit?IsenthimtheretomakehimTHOROUGH.Andwhathappened?Hedidn'tLIKEit!Thatboy'swholelife,there'sbeenasettin'upo'somethingmulishthat'sagainsteverythingIwanthimtodo.Idon'tknowwhatitis,butit'sgottobeworkedoutofhim.Now,laborain'tanymoreasimplequestionthanwhatitwaswhenwewereyoung.Myideaisthat,outsideo'uniontroubles,themanthatcanmanageworkin'-inmenisthemanthat'sbeenonehimself.Well,IsetBibbstolearnthemenandtolearnthebusiness,andHEsethimselftobalkonthefirstjob!That'swhathedid,andthebalk'slastedcloseontothreeyears.IfhebalksagainI'mjustdonewithhim!SometimesIfeellikeIwasprettyneardonewitheverything,anyhow!"

"Iknewtherewassomethingelse,"saidMrs.Sheridan,blinkingoverayawn."Youbetterletitgotillto-morrowandgettobednow--'lessyou'lltellme?"

"SupposesomethinghappenedtoRoscoe,"hesaid."THENwhat'dIhavetolookforwardto?THENwhatcouldIdependontoholdthings

together?Alummix!Alummixthathasn'tlearnedhowtopushastripo'zincalongagroove!"

"Roscoe?"sheyawned."Youneedn'tworryaboutRoscoe,papa.He'sthestrongestchildwehad.Ineverdidknowanybodykeepbetterhealththanhedoes.Idon'tbelievehe'sevenhadacoldinfiveyears.Youbettergouptobed,papa."

"SupposesomethingDIDhappentohim,though.Youdon'tknowwhatitmeans,keepin'propertytogetherthesedays--justkeepin'itALIVE,letalonemakin'itgrowthewayIdo.I'veseentoomanyestateshackedawayinchunks,bigandlittle.Itellyouwhenamandiesthewolvescomeouto'thewoods,packafterpack,toseewhattheycan

tearoffforthemselves;andifthatdeadman'schuldernain'tonthejob,nightandday,everythinghebuilt'llgetcarriedoff.Carriedoff?I'veseenabigfortunebehavelikeanash-barrelinacyclone--therewasn'tevenadust-heaplefttotellwhereitstood!I'veseenit,timeandagain.MyLord!whenIthinko'suchthingscomin'toME!Itdon'tseemlikeIdeservedit--nomanevertriedhardertoraisehisboysrightthanIhave.Iplannedandplannedandplannedhowtobring'emuptobeguardstodrivethewolvesoff,andhowtobebuilderstobuild,andbuildbigger.Itellyouthisbusinesslifeisnofool'sjobnowadays--aman'sgottohaveeyesinthebackofhishead.Youheartalk,sometimes,'dmakeyouthinkthemillenniumhadcome--butrightthenextbreathyou'llhearsomebodyhollerin'about'thegreatunrest.'YouBETthere'sa'greatunrest'!Thereain't

anymanalivesmartenoughtoseewhatit'sgoin'todotousintheend,norwhatdayit'sgotsettobustloose,butit'sfrothin'andbubblin'intheboiler.Thiscountry'sbeenfillin'upwithitfromallovertheworldforagoodmanyyears,andtheoldcamp-meetin'daysaredeadanddonewith.Churchain'twhatitusedtobe.Nothin'swhatitusedtobe--everything'sturnedupfromthebottom,andthegrowthissobigtherootsstickoutintheair.There'sanawfulructiongoin'on,andyougottokeephoppin'ifyou'regoin'tokeepyourbalanceonthetopofit.Andtheschemers!Theyrunlikebugsonthebottomofaboard--afteranypieceo'moneytheyhearis



loose.Foolschemesandcrookedschemes;thefoolonesarethemostandtheworst!YougottoFIGHTtokeepyourmoneyafteryou'vemadeit.Andthewoodsarefullo'mightyindustriousmenthat'sgotonlyonemotto:'Gettheotherfellow'smoneybeforehegetsyours!'Andwhenaman'sbuiltasIhave,whenhe'sbuiltgoodandstrong,andmadegoodthingsgrowandprosper--THOSEarethefellowsthatlayforthechancetoslideinandsneakthebenefitofitandputtheirnamestoit!Andwhat'stheuseofmyhavin'everbeenborn,ifsuchathingasthatisgoin'tohappen?What'stheuseofmyhavin'workedmylifeandsoulintomybusiness,ifit'sallgoin'tobedispersedandscatteredsoonasI'mintheground?"

Hestrodeupanddownthelongroom,gesticulating--littleregardingthetroubledanddrowsyfigurebythefireside.Histhroatrumbledthunderously;thewordscamewithstormybitterness."Youthinkthisisatimeforyoungmentobelyin'onbedsofease?Itellyouthereneverwassuchatimebefore;thereneverwassuchopportunity.Thesluggardisdespoiledwhilehesleeps--yes,byGeorge!ifamaylaysdownthey'lleathimbeforehewakes!--butthelivemancanbuildstraightuptillhetouchesthesky!Thisisthebusinessman'sday;itusedtobethesoldier'sdayandthestatesman'sday,butthisisOURS!Anditain'taSundaytogofishin'--it'sturmoil!turmoil!--andyougottogooutandliveitandbreatheitandMAKEityourself,oryou'llonlybeadeadmanwalkin'arounddreamin'you'realive.

Andthat'swhatmysonBibbshasbeendoin'allhislife,andwhathe'dratherdonowthangooutanddohispartbyme.AndifanythinghappenstoRoscoe--"

"Oh,dostopworryin'oversuchnonsense,"Mrs.Sheridaninterrupted,irritatedintosharpwakefulnessforthemoment."Thereisn'tanythinggoin'tohappentoRoscoe,andyou'rejusttormentin'yourselfaboutnothin'.Aren'tyouEVERgoin'tobed?"

Sheridanhalted."Allright,mamma,"hesaid,withavastsigh."Let'sgoup."Andhesnappedofftheelectriclight,leavingonlytherosyglowofthefire.

"DidyouspeaktoRoscoe?"sheyawned,risinglopsidedlyinherdrowsiness."DidyoumentionaboutwhatItoldyoutheotherevening?"

"No.Iwillto-morrow."

ButRoscoedidnotcomedown-townthenextday,northenext;nordidSheridanseefittoenterhisson'shouse.Hewaited.Then,onthefourthdayofthemonth,Roscoewalkedintohisfather'sofficeatnineinthemorning,whenSheridanhappenedtobealone.

"Theytoldmedown-stairsyou'dleftwordyouwantedtoseeme."

"Sitdown,"saidSheridan,rising.

Roscoesat.Hisfatherwalkedclosetohim,sniffedsuspiciously,andthenwalkedaway,smilingbitterly."Boh!"heexclaimed."Stillatit!"

"Yes,"saidRoscoe."I'vehadacoupleofdrinksthismorning.Whataboutit?"

"IreckonIbetteradoptsomedecentyoungman,"hisfatherreturned.



"I'dbringBibbsuphereandputhiminyourplaceifhewasfit.Iwould!"

"Betterdoit,"Roscoeassently,sullenly.

"When'dyoubeginthisthing?"

"Ialwaysdiddrinkalittle.EversinceIgrewup,thatis."

"Leavethattalkout!YouknowwhatImean."

"Well,Idon'tknowasIeverhadtoomuchinofficehours--untiltheotherday."

Sheridanbegancutting."It'salie.I'vehadRayWillsupfromyouroffice.Hedidn'twanttogiveyouaway,butIputthehooksintohim,andhecamethrough.Youweredrunktwicebeforeandcouldn'twork.Youbeenleavin'yourofficefordrinkseveryfewhoursforthelastthreeweeks.Ibeenoveryourbooks.Yourofficeiswaybehind.Youhaven'tdoneanywork,tocount,inamonth."

"Allright,"saidRoscoe,droopingunderthetorture."It'salltrue."

"Whatyougoin'todoaboutit?"

Roscoe'sheadwassunkbetweenhisshoulders."Ican'tstandverymuchtalkaboutit,father,"hesaid,pleadingly.

"No!"Sheridancried."NeithercanI!WhatdoyouthinkitmeanstoME?"Hedroppedintothechairathisbigdesk,groaning."Ican'tstandtotalkaboutitanymore'nyoucantolisten,butI'mgoin'tofindoutwhat'sthematterwithyou,andI'mgoin'tostraightenyouout!"

Roscoeshookhisheadhelplessly.

"Youcan'tstraightenmeout."

"Seehere!"saidSheridan."Canyougobacktoyourofficeandstaysoberto-day,whileIgetmyworkdone,orwillIhavetohireacoupleo'huskiestofollowyouaroundandknockthewhiskeyouto'yourhandiftheyseeyoutryin'totakeit?"

"Youneedn'tworryaboutthat,"saidRoscoe,lookingupwithafaintresentment."I'mnotdrinkingbecauseI'vegotathirst."

"Well,whathaveyougot?"

"Nothing.Nothingyoucandoanythingabout.Nothing,Itellyou."

"We'llseeaboutthat!"saidSheridan,harshly."NowIcan'tfoolwithyouto-day,andyougetupouto'thatchairandgetouto'myoffice.Youbringyourwifetodinnerto-morrow.Youdidn'tcomelastSunday--butyoucometo-morrow.I'lltalkthisoutwithyouwhenthewomen-folksareworkin'thephonograph,afterdinner.Canyoukeepsobertillthen?Youbetterbesure,becauseI'mgoingtosendAbercrombiedowntoyourofficeeverylittlewhile,andhe'llletmeknow."



Roscoepausedatthedoor."YoutoldAbercrombieaboutit?"heasked.

"TOLDhim!"AndSheridanlaughedhideously."Doyousupposethere'sanelevator-boyinthewholedam'buildingthatain'tontoyou?"

Roscoesettledhishatdownoverhiseyesandwentout.

"WHOlooksamustangintheeye?Changety,chang,chang!Bash!Crash!BANG!"

SosangBibbs,hismusicalgaietiesinaudibletohisfellow-workmenbecauseofthenoiseofthemachinery.Hehaddiscoveredlongagothattheuproarwasrhythmical,andithadbeenintolerable;butnow,ontheafternoonofthefourthdayofhisreturn,hewasaccompanyingtheswingandclashofthemetalswithjubilantvaquerofragments,minglingimprovisationsofhisownamongthem,andmockingthezinc-eater'scrashwithvocalimitations:

Fearlessandbold,Chang!Bash!Behold!Withaleapfromthegroundtothesaddleinabound,Andaway--andaway!Hi-YAY!WHOlooksachang,chang,bash,crash,bang!WHOcaresadashhowyoubashandyoucrash?NIGHT'SonthewayEACHtimeIsay,Hi-YAY!Crash,chang!Bash,chang!Chang,bang,BANG!

Thelongroomwasceaselesslythunderingwithmetallicsound;theairwasthickwiththesmellofoil;thefloortrembledperpetually;everythingwasimplacablyinmotion--nowherewastherearestforthedizziedeye.ThefirsttimehehadenteredtheplaceBibbshadbecomedizzyinstantly,andsixmonthsofithadonlyaddedincreasingnauseatofaintness.Buthefeltneithernow."ALLDAYLONGI'LLSENDMYTHOUGHTSTOYOU.YOUMUSTKEEPREMEMBERINGTHATYOURFRIENDSTANDSBESIDEYOU."Hesawhertherebesidehim,andthegreasy,roaringplacebecamesuffusedwithradiance.Thepoetwashappyinhismachine-shop;hewasstillapoetthere.Andhefedhisoldzinc-eater,andsang:

Away--andaway!Hi-YAHa!Crash,bash,crash,bash,CHANGa!Wildarehiseyes,Fiercelyhedies!Hi-YAH!Crash,bash,bang!Bash,CHANG!ReadytoflingOurglovesinthering--

Hewasunawareofasensationthatpassedalongthelinesofworkmen.Theirgreatmasterhadcomeamongthem,andtheygrinnedtoseehimstandingwithDr.GurneybehindtheunconsciousBibbs.Sheridannoddedtothosenearesthim--hehadpersonalacquaintancewithnearlyallofthem--buthekepthisattentionuponhisson.Bibbsworkedsteadily,neverturningfromhismachine.Nowandthenhevariedhismusicalprogrammewithremarksaddressedtothezinc-eater.

"Goon,youoldcrash-basher!Chewitup!It'sgoodforyou,ifyou

don'ttrytoboltyourvittles.Fletcherize,youpig!That'sright--YOU'LLnevergetalumpinyourgizzard.Wantsomemore?Here'sanice,shinyone."

Thewordswereindistinguishable,butSheridaninclinedhisheadtoGurney'searandshoutedfiercely:"Talkin'tohimself!ByGeorge!"

Gurneylaughedreassuringly,andshookhishead.

Bibbsreturnedtosong:



Chang!Chang,bash,chang!It'sI!WHOlooksamustangintheeye?Fearlessandbo--

Hisfathergraspedhimbythearm."Here!"heshouted."LetMEshowyouhowtorunastripthroughthere.Theforemansaysyou'resomebetter'nyouusedtobe,butthat'snowaytohandle--Getoutthewayandletmeshowyouonce."

"Betterbecareful,"Bibbswarnedhim,steppingtooneside.

"Careful?Boh!"Sheridanseizedastripofzincfromthebox."Whatyoutalkin'toyourselfabout?Tryin'tomakeyourselfthinkyou'resoabusedyou'regoin'wronginthehead?"

"'Abused'?No!"shoutedBibbs."IwasSINGING--becauseI'likeit'!ItoldyouI'dcomebackand'likeit.'"

Sheridanmaynothaveunderstood.Atallevents,hemadenoreply,butbegantorunthestripofzincthroughthemachine.Hediditawkwardly--andwithbadresults.

"Here!"heshouted."Thisistheway.WatchhowIdoit.There'snothin'toit,ifyouputyourmindonit."Byhisownshowingthen

hismindwasnotuponit.Hecontinuedtotalk."Allyougottolookoutforistokeepitpressedoverto--"

"Don'trunyourhandupwithit,"Bibbsvociferated,leaningtowardhim.

"Runnothin'!YouGOTto--"

"Lookout!"shoutedBibbsandGurneytogether,andtheybothsprangforward.ButSheridan'srighthandhadfollowedthestriptoofar,andthezinc-eaterhadbittenoffthetipsofthefirstandsecondfingers.Hesworevehemently,andwrunghishand,sendingashowerofreddropsoverhimselfandBibbs,butGurneygraspedhiswrist,

andsaid,sharply:

"Comeoutofhere.Comeovertothelavatoryintheoffice.Bibbs,fetchmybag.It'sinmymachine,outside."

AndwhenBibbsbroughtthebagtothewashroomhefoundthedoctorstillgraspingSheridan'swrist,holdingtheinjuredhandoverabasin.Sheridanhadlostcolor,andtemper,too.HeglaredoverhisshoulderathissonasthelatterhandedthebagtoGurney.

"Yougoonbacktoyourwork,"hesaid."I'vehadworsesnipsthanthatfromapencil-sharpener."

"Ohno,youhaven't!"saidGurney.

"Ihave,too!"Sheridanretorted,angrily."Bibbs,yougoonbacktoyourwork.There'snoreasontostandaroundherewatchin'oleDocGurneytryin'tokeephimselfawakeworkin'onascratchthatonlyneedsalittlecourt-plaster.Islipped,oritwouldn'thappened.Yougetbackonyourjob."

"Allright,"saidBibbs.



"HERE!"Sheridanbellowed,ashissonwaspassingoutofthedoor."Youwatchoutwhenyou'rerunnin'thatmachine!YouhearwhatIsay?Islipped,orIwouldn'tgotscratched,butyou--YOU'REliabletogetyourwholehandcutoff!Youkeepyoureyesopen!"

"Yes,sir."AndBibbsreturnedtothezinc-eaterthoughtfully.

Halfanhourlater,Gurneytouchedhimontheshoulderandbeckonedhimoutside,whereconversationwaspossible."Isenthimhome,Bibbs.He'llhavetobecarefulofthathand.Gogetyouroverallsoff.I'lltakeyouforadriveandleaveyouathome."

"Can't,"saidBibbs."Gottosticktomyjobtillthewhistleblows."

"No,youdon't,"thedoctorreturned,smotheringayawn."Hewantsmetotakeyoudowntomyofficeandgiveyouanoverhaulingtoseehowmuchharmthesefourdaysonthemachinehavedoneyou.Iguessyoufolkshavegotthatoldmanprettythoroughlyupset,betweenyou,upatyourhouse!ButIdon'tneedtogooveryou.Icanseewithmyeyeshalfshut--"

"Yes,"Bibbsinterrupted,"that'swhattheyare."

"IsayIcanseeyou'restartingout,atleast,ingoodshape.

What'smadethedifference?"

"Ilikethemachine,"saidBibbs."I'vemadeafriendofit.Iserenadeitandtalktoit,andthenittalksbacktome."

"Indeed,indeed?Whatdoesitsay?"

"WhatIwanttohear."

"Well,well!"Thedoctorstretchedhimselfandstampedhisfootrepeatedly."Bettercomealongandtakeadrivewithme.Youcantakethetimeoffthatheallowedfortheexamination,and--"

"Notatall,"saidBibbs."I'mgoingtostandbymyoldzinc-eatertillfiveo'clock.ItellyouILIKEit!"

"ThenIsupposethat'stheendofyourwantingtowrite."

"Idon'tknowaboutthat,"Bibbssaid,thoughtfully;"butthezinc-eaterdoesn'tinterferewithmythinking,atleast.It'sbetterthanbeinginbusiness;I'msureofthat.Idon'twantanythingtochange.I'dbecontenttoleadjustthelifeI'mleadingnowtotheendofmydays."

"Youdobeatthedevil!"exclaimedGurney."Yourfather'srightwhenhetellsmeyou'reamystery.PerhapstheAlmightyknewwhatHewas

doingwhenHemadeyou,butittakesalotoffaithtobelieveit!Well,I'moff.Goonbacktoyourmurderingoldmachine."Heclimbedintohiscar,whichheoperatedhimself,butherefrainedfromsettingitimmediatelyinmotion."Well,Irubbeditinontheoldmanthatyouhadwarnedhimnottoslidehishandalongtoofar,andthathegothurtbecausehedidn'tpayattentiontoyourwarning,andbecausehewastryingtoshowyouhowtodosomethingyouwerealreadydoingagreatdealbetterthanhecould.YoutellhimI'llbearoundtolookatitandchangethedressingto-morrowmorning.Good-by."



Butwhenhepaidthepromisedvisit,thenextmorning,hedidmorethanchangethedressinguponthedamagedhand.Theinjurywassevereofitskind,andGurneyspentalongtimeoverit,thoughSheridanwasrebelliousandscornful,beingbroughttoadegreeoftractabilityonlybymeansofhorriblethreatsandtalkofamputation.However,heappearedatthedinner-tablewithhishandsupportedinasling,whichheseemedtoregardasanindignity,whilethenaturalinquiriesuponthesubjectevidentlystruckhimasdeliberateinsults.Mrs.Sheridan,havingbeenunabletocontainhersolicitudeseveraltimesduringtheday,andhavingbeencheckedeachtimeinamannerthatblanchedhercheek,hastenedtowarnRoscoeandSibyl,upontheirarrivalatfive,toomitanyreferencetotheinjuryandtoavoidevenlookingattheslingiftheypossiblycould.

TheSheridansdinedonSundaysatfive.Sibylhadtakenpainsnottoarriveeitherbeforeorafterthehandwaspreciselyonthehour;andthemembersofthefamilywereallseatedatthetablewithintwominutesaftersheandRoscoehadenteredthehouse.

Itwasaglumgathering,overhungwithportents.Theairseemedcharged,awaitinganytinyignitiontoexplode;andMrs.Sheridan'sexpression,asshesatwithhereyesfixedalmostcontinuallyuponherhusband,wasthatofapersonengagedinprayer.Edithwaspaleandintent.Roscoelookedill;Sibyllookedill;andSheridanlooked

bothillandexplosive.Bibbshadmorecolorthananyofthese,andtherewasastrangebrightness,likealight,uponhisface.Itwascurioustoseeanythingsohappyinthetensegloomofthathousehold.

Edithatelittle,butgazednearlyallthetimeatherplate.SheneveroncelookedatSibyl,thoughSibylnowandthengaveheraquickglance,heavilycharged,andthenlookedaway.Roscoeatenothing,and,likeEdith,kepthiseyesuponhisplateandmadebelievetooccupyhimselfwiththeviandsthereon,loadinghisforkfrequently,butnotliftingittohismouth.Hedidnotoncelookathisfather,thoughhisfathergazedheavilyathimmostofthetime.AndbetweenEdithandSibyl,andbetweenRoscoeandhisfather,somebitterwirelesscommunicationseemedcontinuallytobetakingplace

throughoutthelongsilencesprevailingduringthisenliveningceremonyofSabbathrefection.

"Didn'tyougotochurchthismorning,Bibbs?"hismotherasked,intheefforttobreakuponeofthoseghastlyintervals.

"Whatdidyousay,mother?"

"Didn'tyougotochurchthismorning?"

"Ithinkso,"heanswered,asfromaroseatetrance.

"YouTHINKso!Don'tyouknow?"

"Ohyes.Yes,Iwenttochurch!"

"Whichone?"

"Justdownthestreet.It'sbrick."

"Whatwasthesermonabout?"

"What,mother?"



"Can'tyouhearme?"shecried."Iaskedyouwhatthesermonwasabout?"

Herousedhimself."Ithinkitwasabout--"Hefrowned,seemingtoconcentratehiswilltorecollect."IthinkitwasaboutsomethingintheBible."

White-jacketGeorgewasgladofanopportunitytoleavetheroomandleanuponMist'Jackson'sshoulderinthepantry."Hedon'tknowtheyWASanysuhmon!"heconcluded,havingnarratedthedining-roomdialogue."Allheknowishewaswith'atladylivesnex'do'!"Georgewasright.

"Didyougotochurchallbyyourself,Bibbs?"Sibylasked.

"No,"heanswered."No,Ididn'tgoalone."

"Oh?"Sibylgavetheejaculationanupwardtwist,asofmockinginquiry,andfolloweditbyanother,expressiveofhilariouscomprehension."OH!"

Bibbslookedatherstudiously,butshespokenofurther.Andthatcompletedtheconversationatthelugubriousfeast.

Coffeecamefinally,wasdisposedofquickly,andthepartydispersedtootherpartsofthehouse.BibbsfollowedhisfatherandRoscoeintothelibrary,butwasnotwellreceived.

"YOUgoandlistentothephonographwiththewomen-folks,"Sheridancommanded.

Bibbsretreated."Sometimesyoudoseemtobeahardsortofman!"hesaid.

However,hewentobedientlytothegilt-and-brocaderoominwhichhismotherandhissisterandhissister-in-lawhadhelplesslywithdrawn,

accordingtotheirSabbaticalcustom.Edithsatinacorner,tappingherfeettogetherandlookingatthem;Sibylsatinthecenteroftheroom,examiningabroochwhichshehaddetachedfromherthroat;andMrs.SheridanwaslookingoveracollectionofrecordsconsistingexclusivelyofCarusoandrag-time.Sheselectedoneofthelatter,remarkingthatshethoughtit"rightpretty,"andfolloweditwithoneoftheformerandthesameremark.

Asthesecondreacheditsconclusion,Georgeappearedinthebroaddoorway,seemingtohaveanerrandthere,buthedidnotspeak.Instead,hefavoredEdithwithabenevolentsmile,andsheimmediatelylefttheroom,Georgesteppingasideforhertoprecedehim,andthendisappearingafterherinthehallwithanairofsuccessful

diplomacy.HemadeitperfectlyclearthatEdithhadgivenhimsecretinstructionsandthatithadbeenhisprideandpleasuretofulfilthemtotheletter.

Sibylstiffenedinherchair;herlipsparted,andshewatchedwithcuriouseyesthevanishingbackofthewhitejacket.

"What'sthat?"sheasked,inalowvoice,butsharply.

"Here'sanotherrightprettyrecord,"saidMrs.Sheridan,affecting--



withpatentnervousness--nottohear.Andsheunloosedthemusic.

Sibylbitherlipandbegantotapherchinwiththebrooch.AfteralittlewhilesheturnedtoBibbs,whoreposedathalf-lengthinagoldchair,withhiseyesclosed.

"WheredidEdithgo?"sheasked,curiously.

"Edith?"herepeated,openinghiseyesblankly."Isshegone?"

Sibylgotupandstoodinthedoorway.Sheleanedagainstthecasing,stilltappingherchinwiththebrooch.Hereyesweredilating;shewassuddenlyathightension,andherexpressionhadbecomeoneofsharpexcitement.Shelistensintently.

WhentherecordwasspunoutshecouldhearSheridanrumblinginthelibrary,duringtheensuingsilence,andRoscoe'svoice,querulousandhusky:"Iwon'tsayanythingatall.Itellyou,youmightjustaswellletmealone!"

Buttherewereothersounds:arustlingandmurmur,whispering,lowprotestingcadencesinamalevoice.AndasMrs.Sheridanstartedanotherrecord,asudden,vitalresolveleapedlikefireintheeyesofSibyl.Shewalkeddownthehallandstraightintothesmoking-room.

LamhornandEdithbothsprangtotheirfeet,separating.Edithbecameinstantlydeathlywhitewitharagethatsethershakingfromheadtofoot,andLamhornstutteredashetriedtospeak.

ButEdith'sshakingwasnotsoviolentasSibyl's,norwasherfacesowhite.Atsightofthemandoftheirembrace,allpossibleconsequencesbecamenothingtoSibyl.Shecourtesied,holdingupherskirtsandcontortingherlipstothesemblanceofasmile.

"Sitjustasyouwere--bothofyou!"shesaid.AndthentoEdith:"DidyoutellmyhusbandIhadbeentelephoningtoLamhorn?"

"Youmarchoutofhere!"saidEdith,fiercely."Marchstraightoutofhere!"

SibylleveledaforefingeratLamhorn.

"DidyoutellherI'dbeentelephoningyouIwantedyoutocome?"

"Oh,goodGod!"Lamhornsaid."Hush!"

"Youknewshe'dtellmyhusband,DIDN'Tyou?"shecried."Youknewthat!"

"HUSH!"hebegged,panic-stricken.

"ThatwasaMANLYthingtodo!Oh,itwaslikeagentleman!Youwouldn'tcome--youwouldn'tevencomeforfiveminutestohearwhatIhadtosay!YouwereTIREDofwhatIhadtosay!You'dhearditallathousandtimesbefore,andyouwouldn'tcome!No!No!NO!"shestormed."Youwouldn'tevencomeforfiveminutes,butyoucouldtellthatlittlecat!AndSHEtoldmyhusband!You'reaMAN!"

EdithsawinaflashthattheconsequencesofbattlewouldberuinoustoSibyl,andthefuriousgirlneedednofurthertemptationtogive



waytoherfeelings."Getoutofthishouse!"sheshrieked."Thisismyfather'shouse.Don'tyoudarespeaktoRobertlikethat!"

"No!No!Imustn'tSPEAK--"

"Don'tyouDARE!"

EdithandSibylbegantoscreaminsultsateachothersimultaneously,frontingeachother,theirfuriousfacesclose.Theirvoicesshrilledandroseandcracked--theyscreeched.Theycouldbeheardoverthenoiseofthephonograph,whichwasplayingabrass-bandselection.Theycouldbeheardalloverthehouse.Theywereheardinthekitchen;theycouldhavebeenheardinthecellar.Neitherofthemcaredforthat.

"Youtoldmyhusband!"screamedSibyl,bringingherfacestillclosertoEdith's."Youtoldmyhusband!ThismanputTHATinyourhandstostrikemewith!HEdid!"

"I'lltellyourhusbandagain!I'lltellhimeverythingIknow!It'sTIMEyourhusband--"

Theyweresweptasunderbyabandagedhand."Doyouwanttheneighborsin?"Sheridanthundered.

Therefellashockingsilence.FrenziedSibylsawherhusbandandhismotherinthedoorway,andsheunderstoodwhatshehaddone.Shemovedslowlytowardthedoor;thensuddenlyshebegantorun.Sheranintothehall,andthroughit,andoutofthehouse.Roscoefollowedherheavily,hiseyesontheground.

"NOWTHEN!"saidSheridantoLamhorn.

Thewordswereindefinite,butthevoicewasnot.Neitherwastheviciousgestureofthebandagedhand,whichconcludeditsorbitinthedirectionofthedoorinamannersufficientfortheswiftdispersalofGeorgeandJacksonandseveralfemaleservantswho

hoveredbehindMrs.Sheridan.Theyfledlightly.

"Papa,papa!"wailedMrs.Sheridan."Lookatyourhand!You'doughtn'ttobeensoroughwithEdie;youhurtyourhandonhershoulder.Look!"

Therewas,infact,aspreadingredstainuponthebandagesatthetipsofthefingers,andSheridanputhishandbackinthesling."Nowthen!"herepeated."Yougoin'toleavemyhouse?"

"HewillNOT!"sobbedEdith."Don'tyouDAREorderhimout!"

"Don'tyoubother,dear,"saidLamhorn,quietly."Hedoesn't

understand.YOUmustn'tbetroubled."Pallorwasbecomingtohim;helookedveryhandsome,andashelefttheroomheseemedinthegirl'sdistraughteyesapersecutednoble,indifferenttotherabbleyawpinginsultathisheels--therabblebeingenactedbyherfather.

"Don'tcomeback,either!"said,Sheridan,realisticinthisimpersonation."Keepoffthepremises!"hecalledsavagelyintothehall."Thisfamily'sthroughwithyou!"

"ItisNOT!"Edithcried,breakingfromhermother."You'llSEEabout



that!You'llfindout!You'llfindoutwhat'llhappen!What'sHEdone?IguessifIcanstandit,it'snoneofYOURbusiness,isit?What'sHEdone,I'dliketoknow?Youdon'tknowanythingaboutit.Don'tyous'posehetoldME?Shewascrazyabouthimsoonashebegangoingthere,andheflirtedwithheralittle.That'severythinghedid,anditwasbeforehemetME!Afterthathewouldn't,anditwasn'tanything,anyway--heneverwasseriousaminuteaboutit.SHEwantedittobeserious,andshewasboundshewouldn'tgivehimup.Hetoldherlongagohecaredaboutme,butshekeptpersecutinghimand--"

"Yes,"saidSheridan,sternly;"that'sHISsideofit!That'lldo!Hedoesn'tcomeinthishouseagain!"

"Youlookout!"Edithcried.

"Yes,I'lllookout!I'd'a'toldyouto-dayhewasn'ttobeallowedonthepremises,butIhadotherthingsonmymind.IhadAbercrombielookupthisyoungmanprivately,andhe'sno'count.He'sno'countonearth!He'snogood!He'sNOTHIN'!Butitwouldn'tmatterifhewasGeorgeWashington,afterwhat'shappenedandwhatI'veheardto-night!"

"But,papa,"Mrs.Sheridanbegan,"ifEdiesaysitwasallSibyl's

fault,makin'uptohim,andheneverencouragedhermuch,nor--"

"'Senough!"heroared."Hekeepsoffthesepremises!Andifanyofyousomuchaseverspeakhisnametomeagain--"

ButEdithscreamed,clappingherhandsoverherearstoshutoutthesoundofhisvoice,andranup-stairs,sobbingloudly,followedbyhermother.However,Mrs.Sheridandescendedafewminuteslaterandjoinedherhusbandinthelibrary.Bibbs,stillsittinginhisgoldchair,sawherpass,rousedhimselffromreverie,andstrolledinafterher.

"Shelockedherdoor,"saidMrs.Sheridan,shakingherheadwoefully.

"Shewouldn'tevenanswerme.Theywasn'tasoundfromherroom."

"Well,"saidherhusband,"shecansettlehermindtoit.Sheneverspeakstothatfellowagain,andifhetriestotelephoneherto-morrow--Here!Youtellthehelpifhecallsuptoringoffandsayit'smyorders.No,youneedn't.I'lltell'emmyself."

"Betternot,"saidBibbs,gently.

Hisfatherglaredathim.

"It'snogood,"saidBibbs."Mother,whenyouwereinlovewithfather--"

"Mygoodness!"shecried."Youain'ta-goin'tocompareyourfathertothat--"

"Edithfeelsabouthimjustwhatyoudidaboutfather,"saidBibbs."AndifYOURfatherhadtoldyou--"

"Iwon'tLISTENtosuchsillytalk!"shedeclared,angrily.

"Soyou'rehandin'outyouradvice,areyou,Bibbs?"saidSheridan.



"Whatisit?"

"Letherseehimallshewants."

"You'rea--"Sheridangaveitup."Idon'tknowwhattocallyou!"

"Letherseehimallshewants,"Bibbsrepeated,thoughtfully."You'reupagainstsomethingtoostrongforyou.IfEdithwereaweaklingyou'dhaveachancethisway,butsheisn't.She'sgotalotofyourdetermination,father,andwithwhat'sgoingoninsideofhershe'llbeatyou.Youcan'tkeepherfromseeinghim,aslongasshefeelsabouthimthewayshedoesnow.Youcan'tmakeherthinklessofhim,either.Nobodycan.Youronlychanceisthatshe'lldoitforherself,andifyougivehertimeandgoeasysheprobablywill.Marriagewoulddoitforherquickest,butthat'sjustwhatyoudon'twant,andasyouDON'Twantit,you'dbetter--"

"Ican'tstandanymore!"Sheridanburstout."Ifit'scometoBIBBSadvisin'mehowtorunthishouseIbetterresign.Mamma,where'sthatniggerGeorge?MaybeHE'SgotsomeplanhowIbettermanagemyfamily.Bibbs,forGod'ssakegoandlaydown!'Letherseehimallshewants'!Oh,Lord!here'swisdom;here's--"

"Bibbs,"saidMrs.Sheridan,"ifyouhaven'tgotanythingtodo,you

mightstepoverandtakeSibyl'swrapshome--sheleft'eminthehall.Idon'tthinkyouseemtoquietyourpoorfatherverymuchjustnow."

"Allright."AndBibbsboreSibyl'swrapsacrossthestreetanddeliveredthemtoRoscoe,whomethimatthedoor.Bibbssaidonly,"Forgotthese,"and,"Goodnight,Roscoe,"cordiallyandcheerfully,andreturnedtotheNewHouse.Hismotherandfatherwerestilltalkinginthelibrary,butwithdiscretionhepassedrapidlyonandupwardtohisownroom,andthereheproceededtowriteinhisnote-book.

ThereseemstobeanothercuriousthingaboutLove[Bibbswrote].Loveisblindwhileitlivesandonlyopensitseyesandbecomes

verywideawakewhenitdies.Letitaloneuntilthen.

Youcannotreasonwithloveorwithanyotherpassion.Thewisewillnotwishforlove--norforambition.Thesearepassionsandbringothersintheirtrain--hatredsandjealousies--allblind.Friendshipandaquietheartforthewise.

Whataturbulenceislove!Itisdangerousforablindthingtobeturbulent;thereareprecipicesinlife.Onewouldnotcrossamountain-passwithathickclothoverhiseyes.Loversdo.Friendshipwalksgentlyandwithopeneyes.

Towalktochurchwithafriend!Tositbesideherthere!Torise

whensherises,andtotouchwithone'sthumbandfingerstheotherhalfofthehymn-bookthatsheholds!Whatlover,withhisfierceways,couldknowthistranscendenthappiness?

Friendshipbringseverythingthatheavencouldbring.Thereisnolaborthatcannotbecomealivingraptureifyouknowthatafriendisthinkingofyouasyoulabor.Soyousingatyourwork.Fortheworkispartofthethoughtsofyourfriend;soyouloveit!

Loveisdemandingandclaimingandinsistent.Friendshipisall



kindness--itmakestheworldgloriouswithkindness.Whatcoloryouseewhenyouwalkwithafriend!Youseethatthegrayskyisbrilliantandshimmering;youseethatthesmokehaswarmbrownsandismarvelouslysculptured--theairbecomesiridescent.Youseethegoldinbrownhair.Lightfloodseverything.

Whenyouwalktochurchwithafriendyouknowthatlifecangiveyounothingricher.Youpraythattherewillbenochangeinanythingforever.

Whatanadorablethingitistodiscoveralittlefoibleinyourfriend,abitofvanitythatgivesyouonethingmoreabouthertoadore!Onacoldmorningshewillperhapswalktochurchwithyouwithoutherfurs,andshewillblushandreturnanevasiveanswerwhenyouaskherwhyshedoesnotwearthem.Youwillsaynomore,becauseyouunderstand.Shelooksbeautifulinherfurs;youlovetheirdarknessagainsthercheek;butyoucomprehendthattheyconcealthelovelinessofherthroatandthefinelineofherchin,andthatshealsohascomprehendedthis,and,wishingtolookstillmorebewitching,discardsherfursattheriskoftakingcold.Soyouholdyourpeace,andtrytolookasifyouhadnotthoughtitout.

Thistheoryissatisfactoryexceptthatitdoesnotaccountfor

theabsenceofthemuff.Ah,well,theremustalwaysbeamysterysomewhere!Mysteryisapartofenchantment.

Manuallaborisbest.Yourheartcansingandyourmindcandreamwhileyourhandsareworking.Youcouldnothaveasingingheartandadreamingmindalldayifyouhadtoschemeoutdollars,orifyouhadtoaddcolumnsoffigures.Thosethingstakeyourattention.Youcannotbethinkingofyourfriendwhileyouwritelettersbeginning"Yoursofthe17thinst.rec'dandcontentsdulynoted."Buttoworkwithyourhandsallday,thinkingandsinging,andthen,afternightfall,toheartheineffablekindnessofyourfriend'sgreeting--alwaysthere--foryou!Whowouldwakefromsuchadreamasthis?

Dawnandthesea--musicinmoonlitgardens--nightingalesserenadingthroughalmond-grovesinbloom--whatcouldbringsuchthingsintothecity'sturmoil?Yettheyarehere,androsesblossominthesoot.Thatiswhatitmeansnottobealone!Thatiswhatafriendgivesyou!

Havingthusdemonstratedthathewasabouttwenty-fiveandhadformedasomewhatindefinitedefinitionoffriendship,butoneentirelyhisown(andperhapsMary's)Bibbswenttobed,andwastheonlySheridantosleepsoundlythroughthenightandtowakeatdawnwithalightheart.

Hischeerfulnesswasvaguelydiminishedbythetroublousstateofaffairsofhisfamily.Hehadrecognizedhisconditionwhenhewrote,"Whowouldwakefromsuchadreamasthis?"Bibbswasasympatheticperson,easilytouched,buthewasindeedlivinginadream,andallthingsoutsideofitwereveiledandremote--forthatisthewayofyouthinadream.AndBibbs,whohadneverbeforebeenofanyage,eitheroldoryoung,hadcometohisyouthatlast.

Hewentwhistlingfromthehousebeforeevenhisfatherhadcomedown-stairs.Therewasafogoutdoors,saturatedwithafinepowder



ofsoot,andthoughBibbsnoticedabsentlythedimshapeofanautomobileatthecurbbeforeRoscoe'shouse,hedidnotrecognizeitasDr.Gurney's,butwentcheerilyonhiswaythroughthedingymist.Andwhenhewasoncemoreinstalledbesidehisfaithfulzinc-eaterhewhistledandsangtoit,asotherworkmendidtotheirownmachinessometimes,whenthingswentwell.Hiscomradesintheshopglancedathimamusedlynowandthen.Theylikedhim,andheatehislunchatnoonwithagroupofSocialistswhoapprovedofhisideasandtalkedofelectinghimtotheirassociation.

Theshortdaysoftheyearhadcome,anditwasdarkbeforethewhistlesblew.Whenthesignalcame,Bibbswenttotheoffice,wherehedivestedhimselfofhisoveralls--hissingledivergencefromtheroutineofhisfellow-workmen--andafterthatheusedsoapandwatercopiously.Thiswashistransformationscene:hepassedintotheofficearatherfrailyoungworking-mannoticeablybegrimed,andpassedoutofittothepavementacheerfullypre-occupiedsampleofgentry,fastidioustothepointofelegance.

Thesidewalkwascrowdedwiththebearersofdinner-pails,menandboysandwomenandgirlsfromthework-roomsthatclosedatfive.Manyhurriedandsomeloitered;theywentbotheastandwest,jostlingoneanother,andBibbs,turninghisfacehomeward,wasforcedtogoslowly.

Comingtowardhim,asslowly,throughthecrowd,atallgirlcaughtsightofhislong,thinfigureandstoodstilluntilhehadalmostpassedher,forinthethickcrowdandthethickergloomhedidnotrecognizeher,thoughhisshoulderactuallytouchedhers.Hewouldhavegoneby,butshelaugheddelightedly;andhestoppedshort,startled.Twoboys,onechasingtheother,sweptbetweenthem,andBibbsstoodstill,peeringabouthimindeepperplexity.Sheleanedtowardhim.

"IknewYOU!"shesaid.

"Goodheavens!'criedBibbs."Ithoughtitwasyourvoicecomingout

ofastar!"

"There'sonlysmokeoverhead,"saidMary,andlaughedagain."Therearen'tanystars."

"Ohyes,therewere--whenyoulaughed!"

Shetookhisarm,andtheywenton."I'vecometowalkhomewithyou,Bibbs.Iwantedto."

"Butwereyouhereinthe--"

"Inthedark?Yes!Waiting?Yes!"

Bibbswasradiant;hefeltsuffocatedwithhappiness.Hebegantoscoldher.

"Butit'snotsafe,andI'mnotworthit.Youshouldn'thave--yououghttoknowbetter.Whatdid--"

"Ionlywaitedabouttwelveseconds,"shelaughed."I'djustgothere."





"Thereareworkersinbeautyhere,"shetoldhim,gently."Thereareotherpaintersmoreprosperousthanmyfriend.Thereareallsortsofthings."

"Ididn'tknow."

"No.Sincethetownbegangrowingsogreatthatitcalleditself'greater,'onecouldlivehereallone'slifeandknowonlythesideofitthatshows."

"Thebeauty-workersseemburiedverydeep,"saidBibbs."AndIimaginethatyourfriendwhomakesthesmokebeautifulmustbeburieddeepestofall.Myfatherlovesthesmoke,butIcan'timaginehisbuyingoneofyourfriend'spictures.He'dbuythe'BayofNaples,"buthewouldn'tgetoneofthose.He'dthinksmokeinapicturewashorrible--unlesshecoulduseitforanadvertisement."

"Yes,"shesaid,thoughtfully."Andreallyhe'sthetown.TheyAREburiedprettydeep,itseems,sometimes,Bibbs."

"Andyetit'sallwonderful,"hesaid."It'swonderfultome."

"Youmeanthetowniswonderfultoyou?"

"Yes,becauseeverythingis,sinceyoucalledmeyourfriend.Thecityisonlyarumbleonthehorizonforme.Itcan'tcomeanycloserthanthehorizonsolongasyouletmeseeyoustandingbymyoldzinc-eateralldaylong,helpingme.Mary--"Hestoppedwithagasp."That'sthefirsttimeI'vecalledyou'Mary'!"

"Yes."Shelaughed,alittletremuously."ThoughIwantedyouto!"

"Isaiditwithoutthinking.Itmustbebecauseyoucametheretowalkhomewithme.Thatmustbeit."

"Womenliketohavethingssaid,"Maryinformedhim,hertremulous

laughtercontinuing."WereyougladIcameforyou?"

"No--not'glad.'IfeltasifIwerebeingcarriedstraightupandupandup--overtheclouds.Ifeellikethatstill.IthinkI'mthatwaymostofthetime.IwonderwhatIwaslikebeforeIknewyou.ThepersonIwasthenseemstohavebeensomebodyelse,notBibbsSheridanatall.Itseemslong,longago.Iwasgloomyandsickly--somebodyelse--somebodyIdon'tunderstandnow,acowardafraidofshadows--afraidofthingsthatdidn'texist--afraidofmyoldzinc-eater!AndnowI'monlyafraidofwhatmightchangeanything."

Shewassilentamoment,andthen,"You'rehappy,Bibbs?"sheasked.

"Ah,don'tyousee?"hecried."Iwantittolastforathousand,thousandyears,justasitis!You'vemademesorich,I'mamiser.Iwouldn'thaveonethingdifferent--nothing,nothing!"

"DearBibbs!"shesaid,andlaughedhappily.

Bibbscontinuedtoliveintheshelterofhisdream.HehadtoldEdith,afterhisineffectiveefforttobeusefulinheraffairs,thathehaddecidedthathewas"amemberofthefamily";butheappeared



tohaverelapsedtotheretiredlistafterthatoneattemptatparticipancy--hewasfarenoughdetachedfrommembershipnow.ThesewereturbulentdaysintheNewHouse,butBibbshadnopartwhateverintheturbulence--heseemedanabsent-mindedstranger,presentbyaccidentandnotwhollyawarethathewaspresent.Hewouldsit,faintlysmilingoverpleasantimaginingsanddearreminiscencesofhisown,whilebattleragedbetweenEdithandherfather,orwhileSheridanunloosedjeremiadsuponthesullenRoscoe,whodrankheavilytoendurethem.Thehappydreamerwanderedintostorm-areaslikeasomnambulist,andwanderedoutagainunawakened.HewassorryforhisfatherandforRoscoe,andforEdithandforSibyl,buttheirsufferingsandoutcriesseemedfaraway.

SibylwasunderGurney'scare.RoscoehadsentforhimonSundaynight,notlongafterBibbsreturnedtheabandonedwraps;andduringthefirstdaysofSibyl'sillnessthedoctorfounditnecessarytobewithherfrequently,andtoinstallamuscularnurse.Andwhetherhewouldorno,Gurneyreceivedfromhishystericalpatientavarietyofpungentinformationwhichwouldhavestaggeredanybodybutafamilyphysician.AmongotherthingshewasgiventocomprehendthechangeinBibbs,andwhythezinc-eaterwasnotputtingalumpintheoperator'sgizzardasofyore.

Sibylwasnotdelirious--shewasathinlittleegowrithingand

shriekinginpain.Lifehadhurther,andhaddrivenherintohurtingherself;herconditionwasonlytheadult'sterribleexaggerationofthatofachildafterabadbruise--theremustbescreamingandtellingmotherallaboutthehurtandhowithappened.SibylbabbledherselfhoarsewhenGurneywithheldmorphine.Shewentfromthebeginningtotheendinabreath.Noproteststoppedher;nothingstoppedher.

"Yououghttoletmedie!"shewailed."It'scruelnottoletmedie!WhatharmhaveIeverdonetoanybodythatyouwanttokeepmealive?Justlookatmylife!IonlymarriedRoscoetogetawayfromhome,andlookwhatthatgotmeinto!--lookwhereIamnow!Hebroughtmetothistown,andwhatdidIhaveinmylifebuthisFAMILY?Andthey

didn'tevenknowtherightcrowd!Iftheyhad,itmighthavebeenSOMETHING!Ihadnothing--nothing--nothingintheworld!Iwantedtohaveagoodtime--andhowcouldI?Where'sanygoodtimeamongtheseSheridans?Theyneverevenhadwineonthetable!IthoughtIwasmarryingintoarichfamilywhereI'dmeetattractivepeopleI'dreadabout,andtravel,andgotodances--and,oh,myLord!allIgotwastheseSheridans!IdidthebestIcould;Idid,indeed!Oh,IDID!Ijusttriedtolive.Everywoman'sgotarighttolive,sometimeinherlife,Iguess!Thingswerejustbeginningtolookbrighter--we'dmoveduphere,andthatfrozencrowdacrossthestreetwereafterJimfortheirdaughter,andthey'dhavestarteduswiththerightpeople--andthenIsawhowEdithwasgettinghimawayfromme.Shedidit,too!Shegothim!Agirlwithmoneycandothattoa

marriedwoman--yes,shecan,everytime!AndwhatcouldIdo?Whatcananywomandoinmyfix?Icouldn'tdoANYTHINGbuttrytostandit--andIcouldn'tstandit!Iwenttothaticicle--thatVertreesgirl--andshecouldhavehelpedmealittle,anditwouldn'thavehurther.Itwouldn'thavedoneheranyharmtohelpmeTHATlittle!ShetreatedmeasifI'dbeendirtthatshewouldn'teventakethetroubletosweepoutofherhouse!LetherWAIT!"

Sibyl'svoice,hoarsefrombabbling,becamenomorethanahuskywhisper,thoughshestrovetomakeitlouder.Shestruggledhalf



upright,andthenurserestrainedher."I'dgetupoutofthisbedtoshowhershecan'tdosuchthingstome!Iwasabsolutelyladylike,andshewalkedoutandleftmetherealone!She'llSEE!ShestartedafterBibbsbeforeJim'scasketwasfairlyunderground,andshethinksshe'slandedthatpoorloon--butshe'llsee!She'llsee!IfI'meverabletowalkacrossthestreetagainI'llshowherhowtotreatawomanintroublethatcomestoherforhelp!Itwouldn'thavehurtherany--itwouldn't--itwouldn't.AndEdithneedn'thavetoldwhatshetoldRoscoe--itwouldn'thavehurthertoletmealone.AndHEtoldherIboredhim--telephoninghimIwantedtoseehim.Heneedn'thavedoneit!Heneedn't--needn't--"Hervoicegrewfainter,forthatwhile,withexhaustion,thoughshewouldgooveritallagainassoonasherstrengthreturned.Shelaypanting.Then,seeingherhusbandstandingdisheveledinthedoorway,"Don'tcomein,Roscoe,"shemurmured."Idon'twanttoseeyou."Andasheturnedawaysheadded,"I'mkindofsorryforyou,Roscoe."

Herantagonist,Edith,wasnotmorecoherentinherownwailings,andshehadtheadvantageofamotherforlistener.Shehadalsothedisadvantageofamotherforduenna,andMrs.Sheridan,underherhusband'ssharptutelage,provedaneffectiveone.EdithwasreducedtotelephoningLamhornfromshopswhenevershecouldjugglehermotherintoamomentarydistractionoveracounter.

EdithwasincomparablymoreinlovethanbeforeLamhorn'sexpulsion.Herwholebeingwasnothingbutthedeterminationtohurdleeverythingthatseparatedherfromhim.Shewasinastatethatcouldbealteredbyonlythelightestandmostdelicatediplomacyofsuggestion,butSheridan,likelegionsofotherparents,intensifiedherpassionandfedithourlyfuelbyopposingtoitanintolerableforce.Hesworesheshouldcool,andthussetheronfire.

Edithplannedneatly.Shefoughthard,everyotherevening,withherfather,andkeptherbedbetweentimestolethimseewhathisviolencehaddonetoher.Then,whenthemeresightofhersethimtobreathingfast,shesaidpitiablythatshemightbearhertroublebetterifshewentaway;itwasimpossibletobeinthesametownwith

Lamhornandnotthinkalwaysofhim.PerhapsinNewYorkshemightforgetalittle.Shehadwrittentoaschoolfriend,establishedquietlywithanauntinapartments--andamonthorsooftheatersandrestaurantsmightbringpeace.Sheridanshoutedwithrelief;hegaveheracopiouscheque,andsheleftuponaMondaymorningwearingvioletswithhermourningandhavingkissedeverybodygood-byexceptSibylandBibbs.ShemighthavekissedBibbs,buthefailedtorealizethatthedayofherdeparturehadarrived,andwassurprised,onreturningfromhiszinc-eater,thatevening,tofindhergone."Isupposethey'llbemariedthere,"hesaid,casually.

Sheridan,seated,warminghisstockingedfeetatthefire,jumpedup,fuming."Eitheryougoouto'here,orIwill,Bibbs!"hesnorted.

"Idon'twanttobeinthesameroomwiththeparticularkindofidiotyouare!She'sthroughwiththatriff-raff;allsheneededwastobekeptawayfromhimafewweeks,andIKEPTheraway,anditdidthebusiness.ForHeaven'ssake,goonouto'here!"

Bibbsobeyedthegestureofahandstillbandaged.AndtheblacksilkslingwasstillroundSheridan'sneck,butnowordofGurney'sandnoexcruciatingtwingeofpaincouldkeepSheridan'shandinthesling.Thewounds,slightenoughoriginally,hadbecomeinfectedthefirsttimehehaddislodgedthebandages,andhealingwaslong



delayed.Sheridanhadthehabitofgesture;hecouldnot"taketimetoremember,"hesaid,thathemustbecareful,andhehadalsoacuriousindignationwithhishurt;herefusedtopayitthecomplimentofadmittingitsexistence.

TheSaturdayfollowingEdith'sdepartureGurneycametotheSheridanBuildingtodressthewoundsandtohaveatalkwithSheridanwhichthedoctorfelthadbecomenecessary.Buthewasalittlebeforetheappointedtimeandwasobligedtowaitafewminutesinananteroom--therewasadirectors'meetingofsomesortinSheridan'soffice.Thedoorwasslightlyajar,leakingcigar-smokeandoratory,thelatterallSheridan's,andGurneylistened.

"No,sir;no,sir;no,sir!"heheardthebigvoicerumbling,andthen,breakingintothunder,"ItellyouNO!Someo'youmenmakemesick!You'dloseyourconfidenceinAlmightyGodifadoodle-bugflippedhishindlegatyou!Yousaymoney'stightalloverthecountry.Well,whatifitis?There'snoreasonforittobetight,andit'snotgoin'tokeepOURmoneytight!You'realwaysrunnin'tothewoodshedtohideyournickelsinacrackbecausesomefoolnewspapersaysthemarket'salittleskeery!Youlistentoeverystreet-cornercroakerandthencomeandsethereandtrytoscareMEoutofabigthing!We'reINonthis--understand?ItellyouthereneverWASbettertimes.Thesearegoodtimesandbigtimes,andI

won'tstandforanyotherkindo'talk.Thiscountry'sonitsfeetasitneverwasbefore,andthiscity'sonitsfeetandgoin'tostaythere!"AndGurneyheardaseriesofwhacksandthumpsuponthedesk."'Badtimes'!"Sheridanvociferated,withaccompanyingthumps."Rabbittalk!Thesetimesareglorious,Itellyou!We'reinthepromisedland,andwe'regoin'toSTAYthere!That'sall,gentlemen.Theloangoes!"

Thedirectorscameforth,flushedandmurmurous,andGurneyhastenedin.Hisguesswascorrect:Sheridanhadbeenthumpingthedeskwithhisrighthand.Thephysicianscoldedwearily,makinggoodthefreshdamageasbesthemight;andthenhesaidwhathehadtosayonthesubjectofRoscoeandSibyl,hisopinionmeeting,asheexpected,

awarmlyhostilereception.ButtheresultofthisconversationwasthatbytelephoniccommandRoscoeawaitedhisfather,anhourlater,inthelibraryattheNewHouse.

"Gurneysaysyourwife'sabletotravel,"Sheridansaidbrusquely,ashecamein.

"Yes."Roscoeoccupiedadeepchairandsatinthedejectedattitudewhichhadbecomehishabit."Yes,sheis."

"Edithhadtoleavetown,andsoSibylthinksshe'llhaveto,too!"

"Oh,Iwouldn'tputitthatway,"Roscoeprotested,drearily.

"No,IhearYOUwouldn't!"Therewasabittergibeinthefather'svoice,andheadded:"It'sagoodthingshe'sgoin'abroad--ifshe'llstaythere.Ishouldn'tthinkanyofuswantherhereanymore--youleastofall!"

"It'snouseyourtalkingthatway,"saidRoscoe."Youwon'tdoanygood."

"Well,whenareyoucomin'backtoyouroffice?"Sheridanuseda



brisker,kindertone."Threeweekssinceyoushowedupthereatall.Whenyougoin'tobereadytocutoutwhiskeyandalltheresto'thefoolishnessandstartinagain?Yououghttobeabletomakeupforaloto'losttimeandaloto'spiltmilkwhenthatwomantakesherselfouto'thewayandletsyouandalltherestofusalone."

"It'snouse,father,Itellyou.IknowwhatGurneywasgoingtosaytoyou.I'mnotgoingbacktotheoffice.I'mDONE!"

"Waitaminutebeforeyoutalkthatway!"Sheridanbeganhissentry-goupanddowntheroom."Isupposeyouknowit'stakentwoprettygoodmenaboutsixteenhoursadaytosetthingsstraightandget'emrunnin'rightagain,downinyouroffice?"

"Theymustbegoodmen."Roscoenoddedindifferently."IthoughtIwasdoingabouteightmen'swork.I'mgladyoufoundtwothatcouldhandleit."

"Lookhere!IfIworkedyouitwasforyourowngood.Thereareplentymendriveharder'nIdo,and--"

"Yes.Therearesomethatbreakdownalltheothermenthatworkwith'em.Theyeitherdie,orgocrazy,orhavetoquit,andarenousetherestoftheirlives.Thelast'smycase,Iguess--'complicatedby

domesticdifficulties'!"

"Yousetthereandtellmeyougiveup?"Sheridan'svoiceshook,andsodidthegesticulatinghandwhichheextendedappealinglytowardthedespondentfigure."Don'tdoit,Roscoe!Don'tsayit!Sayyou'llcomedownthereagainandbeaman!Thiswomanain'tgoin'totroubleyouanymore.Theworkain'tgoin'tohurtyouifyouhaven'tgothertoworryyou,andyoucangetshuto'thisnastywhiskey-guzzlin';itain'tfastenedonyouyet.Don'tsay--"

"It'snouseonearth,"Roscoemumbled."Nouseonearth."

"Lookhere!Ifyouwantanothermonth'svacation--"

"IknowGurneytoldyou,sowhat'stheusetalkingabout'vacations'?"

"Gurney!"Sheridanvociferatedthenamesavagely."It'sGurney,Gurney,Gurney!AlwaysGurney!Idon'tknowwhattheworld'scomin'towitheverybodyrunnin'aroundsquealin','Thedoctorsaysthis,'and,'Thedoctorsaysthat'!Itmakesmesick!How'sthiscountryexpecttogetitsWorkdoneifGurneyandalltheotheroldnanny-goatskeepupthisblattin'--'Oh,oh!Don'tliftthatsticko'wood;you'llruinyourNERVES!'Sohesaysyougot'nervousexhaustioninducedbyoverworkandemotionalstrain.'TheyalwaysgottosticktheWorkiniftheyseeachance!Ireckonyoudidhavethe'emotionalstrain,'andthat'sall'sthematterwithyou.You'llbe

overitsoon'sthiswoman'sgone,andWork'stheverythingtomakeyouquitfrettin'abouther."

"DidGurneytellyouIwasfittowork?"

"Shutup!"Sheridanbellowed."I'msosicko'thatman'snameIfeellikeshootin'anybodythatsaysittome!"Hefumedandchafed,swearingindistinctly,thencameandstoodbeforehisson."Lookhere;doyouthinkyou'redoin'thesquarethingbyme?Doyou?Howmuchyouworth?"



"I'vegotbetweensevenandeightthousandayearclear,ofmyown,outsidethesalary.ThatmuchisminewhetherIworkornot."

"Itis?Youcould'apulleditoutwithoutme,Isupposeyouthink,atyourage?"

"No.Butit'smine,andit'senough."

"MyLord!It'saboutwhataCongressmangets,andyouwanttoquitthere!Isupposeyouthinkyou'llgettherestwhenIkickthebucket,andallyouhavetodoislaybackandwait!Youletmetellyourighthere,you'llneverseeonecentofit.Yougoouto'businessnow,andwhatwouldyouknowabouthandlin'itfiveortenortwentyyearsfromnow?BecauseIintendtoSTAYherealittlewhileyet,myboy!They'deithergetitawayfromyouoryou'dsellforanickelandletitbesplitupand--"Hewhirledabout,marchedtotheotherendoftheroom,andstoodsilentamoment.Thenhesaid,solemnly:"Listen.Ifyougooutnow,youleavemeinthelurch,withnothin'onGod'sgreenearthtodependonbutyourbrother--andyouknowwhatheis.I'vedependedonyouforitALLsinceJimdied.Nowyou'velistenedtothatdam'doctor,andhesaysmaybeyouwon'teverbeasgoodamanasyouwere,andthatcertainlyyouwon'tbeforayearorso--probablymore.Now,that'sallalie.Mendon't

breakdownthatwayatyourage.LookatME!AndItellyou,youcanshakethisthingoff.AllyouneedisalittleGET-upandalittlegumption.Mendon'tgoawayforYEARSandthencomebackintoMOVINGbusinesseslikeours--theylosethestrings.Andifyoucould,Iwon'tletyou--ifyoulaydownonmenow,Iwon't--andthat'sbecauseifyoulaydownyouproveyouain'tthemanIthoughtyouwere."Heclearedhisthroatandfinishedquietly:"Roscoe,willyoutakeamonth'svacationandcomebackandgotoit?"

"No,"saidRoscoe,listlessly."I'mthrough."

"Allright,"saidSheridan.Hepickeduptheeveningpaperfromatable,wenttoachairbythefireandsatdown,hisbacktohisson.

"Good-by."

Roscoerose,hisheadhanging,buttherewasadullreliefinhiseyes."BestIcando,"hemuttered,seemingabouttodepart,yetlingering."Ifigureitoutagooddeallikethis,"hesaid."Ididn'tKNOWmyjobwasanystrain,andImanagedallright,butfromwhatGur--fromwhatIhear,Iwasjustuptothelimitofmynervesfromoverwork,andthe--thetroubleathomewastheextrastrainthat'sfixedmethewayIam.Itriedtobrace,soIcouldstandtheworkandthetroubletoo,onwhiskey--andthatputthefinishtome!I--I'mnothittingitashardasIwasforawhile,andIreckonprettysoon,ifIcangettofeelingalittlemoreenergy,Ibettertrytoquitentirely--Idon'tknow.I'mallin--andthedoctor

saysso.IthoughtIwasrunningalongfineuptoafewmonthsago,butallthetimeIwasreadytobust,anddidn'tknowit.Now,then,Idon'twantyoutoblameSibyl,andifIwereyouIwouldn'tspeakofheras'thatwoman,'becauseshe'syourdaughter-in-lawandgoingtostaythatway.Shedidn'tdoanythingwicked.Itwasashocktome,andIdon'tdenyit,tofindwhatshehaddone--encouragingthatfellowtohangaroundherafterhebegantryingtoflirtwithher,andlosingherheadoverhimthewayshedid.Idon'tdenyitwasashockandthatit'llalwaysbeahurtinsideofmeI'llnevergetover.Butitwasmyfault;Ididn'tunderstandawoman'snature."



PoorRoscoespokeinthemostprofoundanddesolateearnest."Awomancravessociety,andgaiety,andmeetingattractivepeople,andtraveling.Well,Ican'tgivehertheotherthings,butIcangiveherthetraveling--realtraveling,notjustgoingtoAtlanticCityorNewOrleans,thewayshehas,two,threetimes.Awomanhastohavesomethinginherlifebesidesabusinessman.Andthat'sALLIwas.IneverunderstoodtillIheardhertalkingwhenshewassosick,andIbelieveifyou'dheardherthenyouwouldn'tspeaksohard-heartedlyabouther;IbelieveyoumighthaveforgivenherlikeIhave.That'sall.Inevercaredanythingforanygirlbutherinmylife,butIwassobusywithbusinessIputitaheadofher.IneverTHOUGHTabouther,Iwassobusythinkingbusiness.Well,thisiswhereit'sbroughtusto--andnowwhenyoutalkabout'business'tomeIfeelthewayyoudowhenanybodytalksaboutGurneytoyou.Theword'business'makesmedizzy--itmakesmehonestlysickatthestomach.IbelieveifIhadtogodown-townandstepinsidethatofficedoorI'dfalldownonthefloor,deathlysick.Youtalkabouta'month'svacation'--andIgetjustassick.I'mrattled--Ican'tplan--Ihaven'tgotanyplans--can'tmakeany,excepttotakemygirlandgetjustasfarawayfromthatofficeasIcan--andstay.We'regoingtoJapanfirst,andifwe--"

Hisfatherrustledthepaper."Isaidgood-by,Roscoe."

"Good-by,"saidRoscoe,listlessly.

Sheridanwaiteduntilheheardthesoundoftheouterdoorclosing;thenheroseandpushedatinydisksetinthewall.Jacksonappeared.

"HasBibbsgothomefromwork?"

"Mist'Bibbs?No,suh."

"TellhimIwanttoseehim,soonashecomes."

"Yessuh."

Sheridanreturnedtohischairandfixedhisattentionfiercelyuponthenewspaper.Hefounditdifficulttopursuetheitemsbeyondtheirexplanatoryrubrics--therewasnothingunusualorstartlingtoconcentratehisattention:

"MotormanPutsBlameonBrakes.ThreeKilledwhenCarSlides.""BurglarsMakeBigHaul.""BoardWorksApproveBigCar-lineExtension.""Hold-upMenInjureTwo.ManFoundinAlley,SkullFractured.""SickeningStoryToldinDivorceCourt.""PlanNewEighteen-storyStructure."

"School-girlMeetsDeathunderAutomobile.""NegroCutsThree.OneDead.""LifeCrushedOut.ThirdElevatorAccidentinSameBuildingCausesActionbyCoroner.""DeclareMilitiawillbeMenace.PolishSocietiesProtesttoGovernorinChurchRiotingCase.""Short$3,500inAccounts,TrustedManKillsSelfwithDrug.""FoundFrozen.FamilyWithoutFoodorFuel.BabyDeadwhenParentsReturnHomefromSeekingWork.""MinisterReturnedfromTripAbroadLecturesonBigFutureofOur



City.SeesBigImprovementduringShortAbsence.SaysNoEuropeanCityHoldsCandle."(Sheridannoddedapprovinglyhere.)

Bibbscamethroughthehallwhistling,andenteredtheroombriskly."Well,father,didyouwantme?"

"Yes.Sitdown."Sheridangotup,andBibbstookaseatbythefire,holdingouthishandstothecracklingblaze,foritwascoldoutdoors.

"Icamewithinsevenoftheshoprecordto-day,"hesaid."Ihandledmorestripsthananyotherworkmanhasanydaythismonth.Thenearesttomeissixteenbehind."

"There!"exclaimedhisfather,greatlypleased."What'dItellyou?I'dliketohearGurneyhintagainthatIwasn'trightinsendingyouthere--Iwouldjustliketohearhim!Andyou--ain'tyouashamedofmakin'suchafussaboutit?Ain'tyou?"

"Ididn'tgoatitintherightspirittheothertime,"Bibbssaid,smilingbrightly,hisfaceruddyinthecheerfulfirelight."Ididn'tknowthedifferenceitmeanttolikeathing."

"Well,IguessI'veprettythoroughlyvindicatedmyjudgement.I

guessIHAVE!Isaidtheshop'dbegoodforyou,anditwas.Isaiditwouldn'thurtyou,andithasn't.It'sbeenjustexactlywhatIsaiditwouldbe.Ain'tthatso?"

"Lookslikeit!"Bibbsagreed,gaily.

"Well,I'dliketoknowanyplaceIbeenwrong,firstandlast!Insteado'hurtingyou,it'sbeenthemakin'ofyou--physically.You'reagoodinchtaller'nwhatIam,andyou'dbeabiggermanthanwhatIamifyou'dgetsomefleshonyourbones;andyouAREgettin'alittle.Physically,it'sstartedyououttobethehuskiestoneo'thewholefamily.Now,then,mentally--that'sdifferent.Idon'tsayitunkindly,Bibbs,butyougottodosomethingforyourselfmentally,

justlikewhat'sbegunphysically.AndI'mgoin'tohelpyou."

Sheridandecidedtositdownagain.Hebroughthischairclosetohisson's,and,leaningover,tappedBibbs'skneeconfidentially."Igotplansforyou,Bibbs,"hesaid.

Bibbsinstantlylookedthoroughlyalarmed.Hedrewback."I--I'mallrightnow,father."

"Listen."Sheridansettledhimselfinhischair,andspokeinthetoneofareasonablemanreasoning."Listenhere,Bibbs.Ihadanotherblowto-day,anditwasahardoneandrightintheface,thoughIHAVEbeenexpectin'itsomelittletimeback.Well,it's

gottobemet.NowI'llbefrankwithyou.AsIsaidaminuteago,mentallyIcouldn'tevercalledyouexactlystrong.Youbeenalittleweakbothways,mostofyourlife.NotbutwhatIthinkyouGOTamentality,ifyou'dlearntouseit.Yougotwill-power,I'llsaythatforyou.Ineverknewboyormanthatcouldbestubborner--neveroneinmylife!Now,then,you'veshowedyoucouldlearntorunthatmachinebestofanymanintheshop,innotimeatall.Thatlookstomelikeyoucouldlearntodootherthings.Idon'tdenybutwhatit'sanencouragin'sign.Idon'tdenythat,atall.Well,thathelpsmetothinkthecaseain'tsohopelessasitlooks.You'reall



Igottomeetthisblowwith,butmaybeyouain'taspoormaterialasIthought.Yourtellin'meaboutcomin'withinsevenstripsoftheshop'srecordto-daylookstomelikeencouragin'informationbroughtinatjustabouttherighttime.Now,then,I'mgoin'togiveyouaraise.Iwantedtosendyoustraightonupthroughtheshops--ayearortwo,maybe--butIcan'tdoit.IlostJim,andnowI'velostRoscoe.He'squit.He'slaiddownonme.Ifheevercomesbackatall,he'llbealongtimepickin'upthestrings,and,anyway,heain'tthemanIthoughthewas.Ican'tcountonhim.IgottohaveSOMEBODYIKNOWIcancounton.AndI'mdowntothis:you'remylastchance.Bibbs,Igottolearnyoutousewhatbrainsyougotandseeifwecan'tdevelop'emalittle.Whoknows?AndI'mgoin'toputmytimeinonit.I'mgoin'totakeyourightdown-townwithME,andIwon'tbehardonyouifyou'realittleslowatfirst.AndI'mgoin'todothebigthingforyou.I'mgoin'tomakeyoufeelyougottodothebigthingforme,inreturn.I'vevindicatedmypolicywithyouabouttheshop,andnowI'mgoin'toturnrightaroundandswingyou'wayoveraheadofwheretheotherboysstarted,andI'mgoin'tomakeanappealtoyourambitionthat'llmakeyoudizzy!"Hetappedhissononthekneeagain."Bibbs,I'mgoin'tostartyouoffthisway:I'mgoin'tomakeyouadirectorinthePumpWorksCompany;I'mgoin'tomakeyouvice-presidentoftheRealtyCompanyandavice-presidentoftheTrustCompany!"

Bibbsjumpedtohisfeet,blanched."Ohno!"hecried.

Sheridantookhisdismaytobetheexcitementofsuddenjoy."Yes,sir!Andthere'ssomeprettyfatlittlesalariesgoeswiththosevice-presidencies,andapincho'stockinthePumpCompanywiththedirectorship.YouthoughtIwasprettymeanabouttheshop--oh,Iknowyoudid!--butyouseetheoldmancanplayitbothways.Andsorightnow,theminuteyou'vebeguntomakegoodthewayIwantedyouto,Idealfromthenewdeck.AndI'llkeeponhandin'itoutbiggerandbiggereverytimeyoushowmeyou'rebigenoughtoplaythehandIdealyou.I'mstartin'youwithaprettybigone,myboy!"

"ButIdon't--Idon't--Idon'twantit!"Bibbsstammered.

"What'dyousay?"Sheridanthoughthehadnotheardaright.

"Idon'twantit,father.Ithankyou--Idothankyou--"

Sheridanlookedperplexed."What'sthematterwithyou?Didn'tyouunderstandwhatIwastellin'you?"

"Yes."

"Yousure?Ireckonyoudidn't.Ioffered--"

"Iknow,Iknow!ButIcan'ttakeit."

"What'sthematterwithyou?"Sheridanwashalfamazed,halfsuspicious."Yourheadfeelfunny?"

"I'veneverbeenquitesosaneinmylife,"saidBibbs,"asIhavelately.AndI'vegotjustwhatIwant.I'mlivingexactlytherightlife.I'mearningmydailybread,andI'mhappyindoingit.Mywagesareenough.Idon'twantanymoremoney,andIdon'tdeserveany--"



"Damnation!"Sheridansprangup."You'veturnedSocialist!Youbeenlisteningtothosefellowsdownthere,andyou--"

"No,sir.Ithinkthere'sagreatdealinwhattheysay,butthatisn'tit."

Sheridantriedtorestrainhisgrowingfury,andsucceededpartially."Thenwhatisit?What'sthematter?"

"Nothing,"hesonreturned,nervously."Nothing--exceptthatI'mcontent.Idon'twanttochangeanything."

"Whynot?"

Bibbshadtheincrediblefollytotrytoexplain."I'lltellyou,father,ifIcan.Iknowitmaybehardtounderstand--"

"Yes,Ithinkitmaybe,"saidSheridan,grimly."WhatyousayusuallyisaLITTLEthatway.Goon!"

Perturbedanddistressed,Bibbsroseinstinctively;hefelthimselfateverypossibledisadvantage.Hewasasleeperclingingtoadream--aroughhandstretchedtoshakehimandwakenhim.Hewenttoatableandmadevaguedrawingsuponitwithafinger,andashespoke

hekepthiseyeslowered."Youweren'taltogetherrightabouttheshop--thatis,inonewayyouweren't,father."Heglancedupapprehensively.Sheridanstoodfacinghim,expressionless,andmadenoattempttointerrupt."That'sdifficulttoexplain,"Bibbscontinued,loweringhiseyesagain,tofollowthetracingsofhisfinger."I--IbelievetheshopmighthavedoneformethistimeifIhadn't--ifsomethinghadn'thelpedmeto--oh,notonlytobearit,buttobehappyinit.Well,IAMhappyinit.IwanttogoonjustasIam.AndofallthingsonearththatIdon'twant,Idon'twanttoliveabusinesslife--Idon'twanttobedrawnintoit.Idon'tthinkitISliving--andnowIAMliving.Ihavethehealthfultoil--andIcanthink.InbusinessasimportantasyoursIcouldn'tthinkanythingbutbusiness.Idon't--Idon'tthinkmakingmoneyisworth

while."

"Goon,"saidSheridan,curtly,asBibbspausedtimidly.

"Ithasn'tseemedtogetanywhere,thatIcansee,"saidBibbs."Youthinkthiscityisrichandpowerful--butwhat'stheuseofitsbeingrichandpowerful?Theydon'tteachthechildrenanymoreintheschoolsbecausethecityisrichandpowerful.Theyteachthemmorethantheyusedtobecausesomepeople--notrichandpowerfulpeople--havethoughtthethoughtstoteachthechildren.Andyetwhenyou'vebeenreadingthepaperI'veheardyouobjectingtothechildrenbeingtaughtanythingexceptwhatwouldhelpthemtomakemoney.Yousaiditwaswastingthetaxes.Youwantthemtaughttomakealiving,but

nottolive.WhenIwasalittleboythiswasn'tanuglytown;nowit'shideous.What'stheuseofbeingbigjusttobehideous?ImeanIdon'tthinkallthishasmeantreallygoingahead--it'sjustbeengettingbiggeranddirtierandnoisier.Wasn'tthewholecountryhappierandinmanywayswiserwhenitwassmallerandcleanerandquieterandkinder?IknowyouthinkI'manutterfool,father,but,afterall,though,aren'tbusinessandpoliticsjustthehousekeepingpartoflife?Andwouldn'tyoudespiseawomanthatnotonlymadeherhousekeepingherambition,butdiditsonoisilyanddirtilythatthewholeneighborhoodwasinacontinualturmoiloverit?Andsuppose



shetalkedandthoughtaboutherhousekeepingallthetime,andwasalwayshavingadditionsbuilttoherhousewhenshecouldn'tkeepcleanwhatshealreadyhad;andsuppose,withitall,shemadethehousealtogetherunpeacefulandunlivable--"

"Justoneminute!"Sheridaninterrupted,adding,withterriblecourtesy,"Ifyouwillpermitme?Haveyoueverbeenrightaboutanything?"

"Idon'tquite--"

"Iaskthesimplequestion:Haveyoueverbeenrightaboutanythingwhateverinthecourseofyourlife?Haveyoueverbeenrightuponanysubjectorquestionyou'vethoughtaboutandtalkedabout?Canyoumentiononesingletimewhenyouwereprovedtoberight?"

Hewasflourishingthebandagedhandashespoke,butBibbssaidonly,"IfI'vealwaysbeenwrongbefore,surelythere'smorechancethatI'mrightaboutthis.Itseemsreasonabletosupposesomethingwouldbeduetobringupmyaverage."

"Yes,Ithoughtyouwouldn'tseethepoint.Andthere'sanotheryouprobablycouldn'tsee,butI'lltakethelibertytomentionit.Youbeenbalkin'allyourlife.PrettymucheverythingIeverwantedyou

todo,you'dletoutSOMEkindofaholler,likeyouarenow--andyetIcan'tseemtorememberoncewhenyoudidn'thavetolaydownanddowhatIsaid.Butgoonwithyourremarksaboutourcityandthebusinessofthiscountry.Goon!"

"Idon'twanttobeapartofit,"saidBibbs,withunwonteddecision."Iwanttokeeptomyself,andI'mdoingitnow.Icouldn't,ifIwentdowntherewithyou.I'dbeswallowedintoit.Idon'tcareformoneyenoughto--"

"No,"hisfatherinterrupted,stilldangerouslyquiet."You'veneverhadtoearnaliving.Anybodycouldtellthatbywhatyousay.Now,letmeremindyou:you'resleepin'inaprettygoodbed;you're

eatin'prettyfairfood;you'rewearin'prettyfineclothes.Justsupposeoneo'thesenoisyhousekeepers--me,forinstance--decidedtoletyoudoyourownhousekeepin'.MayIaskwhatyourpropositionwouldbe?"

"I'mearningninedollarsaweek,"saidBibbs,sturdily."It'senough.Ishouldn'tmindatall."

"Who'spayin'youthatninedollarsaweek?"

"Mywork!"Bibbsanswered."AndI'vedonesowellonthatclipping-machineIbelieveIcouldworkuptofifteenoreventwentyaweekatanotherjob.Icouldbeafairplumberinafewmonths,I'msure.

I'dratherhaveatradethanbeinbusiness--Ishould,infinitely!"

"Youbettersetaboutlearnin'oneprettydam'quick!"ButSheridanstruggledwithhistemperandagainwaspartiallysuccessfulincontrollingit."YoubetterlearnatradeoverSunday,becauseyou'reeithergoin'downwithmetomyofficeMondaymorning--or--youcangotoplumbing!"

"Allright,"saidBibbs,gently."Icangetalong."



Sheridanraisedhishandssardonically,asinprayer."OGod,"hesaid,"thisboywascrazyenoughbeforehebegantoearnhisninedollarsaweek,andnowhismoney'sgonetohishead!Can'tYoudonothin'forhim?"Thenheflunghishandsapart,palmsoutward,inafuriousgestureofdismissal."Getouto'thisroom!Yougotaskullthat'sthicker'nawhale'sthigh-bone,butit'scrackedspangallthewayacross!Youhatedthemachine-shopsobadwhenIsentyouthere,youwentandstayedsickforovertwoyears--andnow,whenIoffertotakeyououtofitandgiveyouthemint,youhollerfortheshoplikeacalfforitsmammy!You'recracked!Oh,butIgotafinelayouthere!Onesondied,onequit,andone'saloon!Theloon'sallIgotleft!H.P.Ellersly'swifehadacrazybrother,andtheyundertooktokeephimatthehouse.Firstmorninghewastherehewalkedstraightthoughaten-dollarplate-glasswindowoutintotheyard.Hesays,'Oh,lookattheprettydandelion!'That'swhatyou'redoin'!Youwanttospendyourlifesayin','Oh,lookattheprettydandelion!'andyoudon'tcareatinker'sdam'whatyoubust!Well,mister,loonornoloon,crackedandcrazyorwhateveryouare,I'lltakeyouwithmeMondaymorning,andI'llworkyouandlearnyou--yes,andI'lllamyou,ifIgotto--untilI'vemadesomethingoutofyouthat'sfittobecalledabusinessman!I'llkeepatyouwhileI'mabletostand,andifIhavetolaydowntodieI'llbewhisperin'atyoutilltheygettheembalmin'-fluidintome!Nowgoon,anddon'tletmehearfromyouagaintillyoucancomeandtellmeyou've

wakedup,youpoor,pitiful,dandelion-pickin'SLEEP-WALKER!"

Bibbsgavehimaqueerlook.Therewassomethinglikereproachinit,foronce;buttherewasmorethanthat--heseemedtobestartledbyhisfather'slastword.

Therewassleetthatevening,withawhoppingwind,butneitherthisstormnorthatotherwhichsoimminentlythreatenedhimheldplaceintheconsciousnessofBibbsSheridanwhenhecameoncemoretothepresenceofMary.Allwasrightinhisworldhashesatwithher,readingMauriceMaeterlinck'sAlladineandPalomides.Thesorrowfullightofthegas-jetmighthavebeenMaymorningsunshineflashing

amberandrosethroughtheglowingwindowsoftheSainte-Chapelle,itwassobrightforBibbs.Andwhilethezinc-eaterheldouttobringhimsuchgoldennightsasthese,alltheking'shorsesandalltheking'smenmightnotservetobreakthespell.

Bibbsreadslowly,butinareasonablemanner,asifheweretalking;andMary,lookingathimsteadilyfrombeneathhercurvedfingers,appearedtodiscovernofault.Ithadgrowntobeherhabittolookathimwhenevertherewasanopportunity.Itmaybesaid,intruth,thatwhiletheyweretogether,anditwaslight,shelookedathimallthetime.

WhenhecametotheendofAlladineandPalomidestheyweresilenta

littlewhile,consideringtogether;thenheturnedbackthepagesandsaid:"There'ssomethingIwanttoreadover.This:"

YouwouldthinkIthrewawindowopenonthedawn....Shehasasoulthatcanbeseenaroundher--thattakesyouinitsarmslikeanailingchildandwithoutsayinganythingtoyouconsolesyouforeverything....Ishallneverunderstanditall.Idonotknowhowitcanallbe,butmykneesbendinspiteofmewhenIspeakofit....



Hestoppedandlookedather.

"Youboy!"saidMary,notveryclearly.

"Ohyes,"hereturned."Butit'strue--especiallymyknees!"

"Youboy!"shemurmuredagain,blushingcharmingly."Youmightreadanotherlineover.ThefirsttimeIeversawyou,Bibbs,youwerelookingintoamirror.Doitagain.Butyouneedn'treadit--Icangiveittoyou:'AlittleGreekslavethatcamefromtheheartofArcady!'"

"I!I'moneofthehandsatthePumpWorks--andgoingtostayone,unlessIhavetodecidetostudyplumbing."

"No."Sheshookherhead."Youloveandwantwhat'sbeautifulanddelicateandserene;it'sreallyartthatyouwantinyourlife,andhavealwayswanted.Youseemedtome,fromthefirst,themostwistfulpersonIhadeverknown,andthat'swhatyouwerewistfulfor."

Bibbslookeddoubtfulandmorewistfulthanever;butafteramomentortwothematterseemedtoclarifyitselftohim."Why,no,"hesaid;"Iwantedsomethingelsemorethanthat.Iwantedyou."

"AndhereIam!"shelaughed,completelyunderstanding."Ithinkwe'relikethosetwoinTheCloisterandtheHearth.I'mjusttheroughBurgundiancross-bowman,Denys,whofollowedthatgentleGerardandtoldeverybodythatthedevilwasdead."

"Heisn't,though,"saidBibbs,asahoarselittlebellinthenextroombeganaseriesofsnappingswhichprovedtobeten,uponcount."HegetsintotheclockwheneverI'mwithyou."And,sighingdeeplyherosetogo.

"You'realwaysverypromptaboutleavingme."

"I--Itrytobe,"hesaid."Itisn'teasytobecarefulnottoriskeverythingbygivingmyselfalittlemoreatatime.IfIeversawyoulooktired--"

"Haveyouever?"

"Notyet.Youalwayslook--youalwayslook--"

"How?"

"Care-free.That'sit.Exceptwhenyoufeelsorryformeaboutsomething,youalwayshavethatsplendidlook.Itputscourageintopeopletoseeit.IfIhadastruggletofaceI'dkeepremembering

thatlook--andI'dnevergiveup!It'sabravelook,too,asthoughgaietymightbeakindofgallantryonyourpart,andyetIdon'tquiteunderstandwhyitshouldbe,either."Hesmiledquizzically,lookingdownuponher."Mary,youhaven'ta'secretsorrow,'haveyou?"

Foranswersheonlylaughed.

"No,"hesaid;"Ican'timagineyouwithacareintheworld.Ithinkthat'swhyyouweresokindtome--youhavenothingbuthappinessin



yourownlife,andsoyoucouldsparetimetomakemytroublesturntohappiness,too.Butthere'sonelittletimeinthetwenty-fourhourswhenI'mnothappy.It'snow,whenIhavetosaygoodnight.Ifeeldismaleverytimeitcomes--andthen,whenI'veleftthehouse,there'sabadlittleblankness,ablackvoid,asthoughIweretemporarilydead;anditlastsuntilIgetitestablishedinmymindthatI'mreallybeginninganotherdaythat'stoendwithYOUagain.ThenIcheerup.Butnow'sthebadtime--andImustgothroughit,andso--goodnight."Andheaddedwithapungentvehemenceofwhichhewaslittleaware,"Ihateit!"

"Doyou?"shesaid,risingtogotothedoorwithhim.Buthestoodmotionless,gazingatherwonderingly.

"Mary!Youreyesareso--"Hestopped.

"Yes?"Butshelookedquicklyaway.

"Idon'tknow,"hesaid."Ithoughtjustthen--"

"Whatdidyouthink?"

"Idon'tknow--itseemedtomethattherewassomethingIoughttounderstand--anddidn't."

Shelaughedandmethiswonderinggazeagainfrankly."Myeyesarepleased,"shesaid."I'mgladthatyoumissmealittleafteryougo."

"Butto-morrow'scomingfasterthanotherdaysifyou'llletit,"hesaid.

Sheinclinedherhead."Yes.I'll--'letit'!"

"Goingtochurch,"saidBibbs."ItISgoingtochurchwhenIgowithyou!"

Shewenttothefrontdoorwithhim;shealwayswentthatfar.Theyhadformedalittlecodeofleave-taking,byhabit,neitherofthemeverspeakingofit;butitwasalwaysthesame.Shealwaysstoodinthedoorwayuntilhereachedthesidewalk,andtherehealwaysturnedandlookedback,andshewavedherhandtohim.Thenhewenton,halfwaytotheNewHouse,andlookedbackagain,andMarywasnotinthedoorway,butthedoorwasopenandthelightshone.Itwasasifshemeanttotellhimthatshewouldnevershuthimout;hecouldalwaysseethatfriendlylightoftheopendoorway--asifitwereopenforhimtocomeback,ifhewould.HecouldseeituntilawingoftheNewHousecamebetween,whenhewentupthepath.Theopendoorwayseemedtohimthebeautifulsymbolofherfriendship--ofherthoughtofhim;asymbolofherselfandofherineffablekindness.

Andshekeptthedooropen--evento-night,thoughthesleetandfinesnowsweptinuponherbarethroatandarms,andherbrownhairwasstrewnwithtinywhitestars.Hisheartleapedasheturnedandsawthatshewasthere,wavingherhandtohim,asifshedidnotknowthatthestormtouchedher.Whenhehadgoneon,Marydidasshealwaysdid--shewentintoanunlitroomacrossthehallfromthatinwhichtheyhadspenttheevening,and,lookingfromthewindow,watchedhimuntilhewasoutofsight.Thestormmadethatdifficultto-night,butshecaughtaglimpseofhimunderthestreet-lampthat



stoodbetweenthetwohouses,andsawthatheturnedtolookbackagain.Then,andnotbefore,shelookedattheupperwindowsofRoscoe'shouseacrossthestreet.Theyweredark.Marywaited,butafteralittlewhilesheclosedthefrontdoorandreturnedtoherwindow.AmomentlatertwooftheupperwindowsofRoscoe'shouseflashedintolightandahandloweredtheshadeofoneofthem.Maryfeltthecoldthen--itwasthethirdnightshehadseenthosewindowslightedandtheshadelowered,justafterBibbshadgone.

ButBibbshadnoglancetospareforRoscoe'swindows.Hestoppedforhislastlookbackattheopendoor,and,withathinmantleofwhitealreadyuponhisshoulders,madehisway,gaspinginthewind,totheleeoftheshelteringwingoftheNewHouse.

AstrickenGeorge,mutteringhoarsely,admittedhim,andBibbsbecameawareofaparoxysmwithinthehouse.Terriblesoundscamefromthelibrary:Sheridancursingasneverbefore;hiswifesobbing,hervoicerisingtoanagonizedsquealofprotestuponeachofaseriesofmuffleddetonations--theoutrageousthumpingofabandagedhanduponwood;thenGurney,sharplyimperious,"Keepyourhandinthatsling!Keepyourhandinthatsling,Isay!"

"LOOK!"Georgegasped,delightedtoplayheraldforsoimportantatragedy;andhereneweduponhisfacetheghastlyexpressionwith

whichhehadfirstbeheldtheruinshiscalamitousgesturelaidbeforetheeyesofBibbs."Lookat'atlamidalstatue!"

Gazingdownthehall,Bibbssawheroicwreckage,seeminglyByzantine--paintedcolossalfragmentsoftheshatteredtorso,appallinglyhuman;andgildedandsilveredheapsofmagnificencestrewnamongruinouspalmslikethespoilofabarbarians'battle.Therehadbeenamassacreintheoasis--theMoorhadbeenhurledheadlongfromhispedestal.

"Hehit'atolelamidalstatue,"saidGeorge."POW!"

"Myfather?"

"YESsuh!POW!hehit'er!An'you'maruntellmegitdoctuhquick'sIkintelefoam--shesho'you'pagoin'bus'ablood-vessel.Heain'ttakin'on'tallNOW.Heain'tnothin''talltowhathewas'whileago.Youdonemiss'it,Mist'Bibbs.Doctuhgothimallquiet'down,towhathewas.POW!hehit'er!Yessuh!"HetookBibbs'scoatandprofferedacrumpledtelegraphform."Herewhatcome,"hesaid."Ipick'erupwhenhedonestompin'on'er.Youread'er,Mist'Bibbs--you'matellmetuhn'erovuhtoyousoon'syoucomein."

Bibbsreadthetelegramquickly.ItwasfromNewYorkandaddressedtoMrs.Sheridan.

SureyouwillallapprovestephavetakenaswassowretchedmyhealthwouldprobablysufferedseverelyRobertandIweremarriedthisafternoonthoughtbesthavequietweddingabsolutelysureyouwillunderstandwisdomofstepwhenyouknowRobertbetteramhappiestwomaninworldareleavingforFloridawillwireaddresswhensettledwillremaintillspringlovetoallfatherwilllikehimtoowhenknowshimlikeIdoheisjustideal.EdithLamhorn.



Georgedeparted,andBibbswasleftgazinguponchaosandlisteningtothunder.Hecouldnotreachthestairwaywithoutpassingtheopendoorsofthelibrary,andhewasconvincedthatthemereglimpseofhim,justthen,wouldprovenothinglessthaninsufferableforhisfather.Forthatreasonhewasabouttomakehisescapeintothegold-and-brocaderoom,intendingtokeepoutofsight,whenheheardSheridanvociferouslydemandinghispresence.

"Tellhimtocomeinhere!He'soutthere.IheardGeorgejustlethimin.Nowyou'llSEE!"Andtear-stainedMrs.Sheridan,lookingoutintothehall,beckonedtoherson.

Bibbswentasfarasthedoorway.Gurneysatwindingastripofwhitecotton,hisblackbagopenuponachairnearby;andSheridanwasstridingupanddown,hishandsoheavilywrappedinfreshbandagesthatheseemedtobewearingasmallboxing-glove.Hiseyeswerebloodshot;hisforeheadwasheavilybedewed;onesideofhiscollarhadbrokenloose,andtherewereblood-stainsuponhisrightcuff.

"THERE'Sourlittlesunshine!"hecried,asBibbsappeared."THERE'Sthehopeo'thefamily--mylifelongprideandjoy!Iwant--"

"Keepyouhandinthatsling,"saidGurney,sharply.

Sheridanturneduponhim,utteringasoundlikeahowl."ForGod'ssake,singanothertune!"hecried."Yousaidyou'cameasadoctorbutstayasafriend,'andinthatcapacityyouundertaketositupandcriticizeME--"

"Oh,talksense,"saidthedoctor,andyawnedintentionally."WhatdoyouwantBibbstosay?"

"Youweresittin'uptheretellin'meIgot'hysterical'--'hysterical,'ohLord!YousatupthereandtoldmeIgot'hysterical'overnothin'!Yousatuptheretellin'meIdidn'thaveasheavyburdensasmanyanothermanyouknew.IjustwantyoutohearTHIS.Nowlisten!"Heswungtowardthequietfigurewaiting

inthedoorway."Bibbs,willyoucomedown-townwithmeMondaymorningandletmestartyouwithtwovice-presidencies,adirectorship,stock,andsalaries?Iaskyou."

"No,father,"saidBibbs,gently.

SheridanlookedatGurneyandthenfacedhissononcemore.

"Bibbs,youwanttostayintheshop,doyou,atninedollarsaweek,insteadoftakin'upmyoffer?"

"Yes,sir."

"AndI'dlikethedoctortohear:What'llyoudoifIdecideyou'retoohigh-pricedaworkin'-maneithertoliveinmyhouseorworkinmyshop?"

"Findotherwork,"saidBibbs.

"There!Youhearhimforyourself!"Sheridancried."Youhearwhat--"

"Keepyouhandinthatsling!Yes,Ihearhim."



SheridanleanedoverGurneyandshouted,inavoicethatcrackedandbroke,pipingintofalsetto:"Hethinksofbein'aPLUMBER!HewantstobeaPLUMBER!Hetoldmehecouldn'tTHINKifhewentintobusiness--hewantstobeaplumbersohecanTHINK!"

Hefellbackastep,wipinghisforheadwiththebackofhislefthand."There!That'smyson!That'stheonlysonIgotnow!That'smychancetolive,"hecried,withabitternessthatseemedtoleaveashesinhisthroat."That'smyonechancetolive--thatthingyouseeinthedoorwayyonder!"

Dr.Gurneythoughtfullyregardedthebandagestriphehadbeenwinding,andtosseditintotheopenbag."What'sthematterwithgivingBibbsachancetolive?"hesaid,coolly."IwouldifIwereyou.You'vehadTWOthatwentintobusiness."

Sheridan'smouthmovedgrotesquelybeforehecouldspeak."JoeGurney,"hesaid,whenhecouldcommandhimselfsofar,"areyouaccusin'meoftheresponsibilityforthedeathofmysonJames?"

"Iaccuseyouofnothing,"saidthedoctor."ButjustonceI'dliketohaveitoutwithyouonthequestionofBibbs--andwhilehe'shere,too."Hegotup,walkedtothefire,andstoodwarminghishands

behindhisbackandsmiling."Lookhere,oldfellow,let'sbereasonable,"hesaid."YouwereboundBibbsshouldgototheshopagain,andIgaveyouandhim,both,tounderstandprettyplainlythatifhewentitwasattheriskofhislife.Well,whatdidhedo?Hesaidhewantedtogo.Andhedidgo,andhe'smadegoodthere.Now,see:Isn'tthatenough?Can'tyoulethimoffnow?Hewantstowrite,andhowdoyouknowthathecouldn'tdoitifyougavehimachance?Howdoyouknowhehasn'tsomemessage--somethingtosaythatmightmaketheworldjustalittlebithappierorwiser?HeMIGHT--intime--it'sapossibilitynottobedenied.Nowhecan'tdeliveranymessageifhegoesdowntherewithyou,andhewon'tHAVEanytodeliver.Idon'tsaygoingdownwithyouislikelytoinjurehishealth,asIthoughttheshopwould,andastheshopdid,the

firsttime.I'mnotspeakingasdoctornow,anyhow.ButItellyouonethingIknow:ifyoutakehimdownthereyou'llkillsomethingthatIfeelisinhim,andit'sfiner,Ithink,thanhisphysicalbody,andyou'llkillitdeaderthanadoor-nail!Andsowhynotletitlive?You'veaboutcometotheendofyourstring,oldfellow.WhynotstopthisperpetualdevilishfightingandgiveBibbshischance?"

Sheridanstoodlookingathimfixedly."What'fighting?'"

"Yours--withnature."Gurneysustainedthedauntinggazeofhisfierceantagonistequably."Youdon'tseemtounderstandthatyou'vebeenstrugglingagainstactuallaw."

"Whatlaw?"

"Naturallaw,"saidGurney."WhatdoyouthinkbeatyouwithEdith?DidEdith,herself,beatyou?Didn'tsheobeywithoutquestionsomethingpowerfulthatwasagainstyou?EDITHwasn'tagainstyou,andyouweren'tagainstHER,butyousetyourselfagainstthepowerthathadherinitsgrip,anditshotoutaspurtofflame--andwoninawalk!What'stakenRoscoefromyou?Timbersbearjustsomuchstrain,oldman;butYOUwantedtosendtheloadacrossthebroken



bridge,andyouthoughtyoucouldbullyorcoaxthecrackedthingintostanding.Well,youcouldn't!Nowhere'sBibbs.Therearethousandsofmenfitforthelifeyouwanthimtolead--andsoishe.Itwouldn'ttakehalfofBibbs'sbrainstobetwiceasgoodabusinessmanasJimandRoscoeputtogether."

"WHAT!"Sheridangoggledathimlikeazany.

"YoursonBibbs,"saidthedoctor,composedly,"BibbsSheridanhasthekindandquantityof'graymatter'thatwillmakehimasuccessinanything--ifheeverwakesup!PersonallyIshouldpreferhimtoremainasleep.Ilikehimthatway.Butthethousandsofmenfitforthelifeyouwanthimtoleadaren'tfittodomuchwiththelifeheOUGHTtolead.Blindly,he'sbeenfightingforthechancetoleadit--he'sobeyingsomethingthatbegstostayalivewithinhim;and,blindly,heknowsyou'llcrushitout.You'vesetyourwilltodoit.Letmetellyousomethingmore.Youdon'tknowwhatyou'vebecomesinceJim'sgoingthwartedyou--andthat'swhatwasuppermost,abafflementstrongerthanyournormalgrief.You'rehalfmadwithaconsumingfuryagainsttheveryselfofthelaw--foritwastheveryselfofthelawthattookJimfromyou.Thatwasalawconcerningthecohesionofmolecules.TheveryselfofthelawtookRoscoefromyouandgaveEdiththecertaintyofbeatingyou;andtheveryselfofthelawmakesBibbsdenyyouto-night.TheLAWbeatsyou.Haven't

youbeenwhippedenough?Butyouwanttowhipthelaw--you'vesetyourselfagainstit,tobendittoyourownends,towielditandtwistit--"

ThevoicebrokefromSheridan'sheavingchestinashout."Yes!AndbyGod,Iwill!"

"SoAjaxdefiedthelightning,"saidGurney.

"I'veheardthatdam'-foolstory,too,"Sheridanretorted,fiercely."That'sforchuldernandniggers.Itain'ttwentiethcentury,letmetellyou!"Defiedthelightning,'didhe,thejackass!Ifhe'dbeenhalfamanhe'd'a'gotawaywithit.WEdon'tgoshowin'offdefyin'

thelightning--wehitchitupandmakeitworkforuslikeablack-steer!Amannowadayswouldjustassoonthinko'defyin'awood-shed!"

"Well,whataboutBibbs?"saidGurney."Willyoubeareallybigmannowand--"

"Gurney,youknowalotaboutbigness!"Sheridanbegantowalktoandfroagain,andthedoctorreturnedgloomilytohischair.Hehadshothisboltthemomenthejudgeditschancetostrikecenterwasbest,butthetargetseemedunawareofthemarksman.

"I'mtryin'tomakeabigmanouto'thatpoortruckyonder,"Sheridan

wenton,"andyoustepin,beggin'metolethimbeLordknowswhat--Idon't!IsupposeyoufigureitoutthatnowIgotaSON-IN-LAW,Imightn'tneedason!Yes,Igotason-in-lawnow--aspender!"

"Oh,putyourhandback!"saidGurney,wearily.

Therewasabronzeinkstanduponthetable.Sheridanputhisrighthandinthesling,butwithhisleftheswepttheinkstandfromthetableandhalf-wayacrosstheroom--acometwithadestroyingblacktail.Mrs.Sheridanshriekedandsprangtowardit.



"Letitlay!"heshouted,fiercely."Letitlay!"And,weeping,sheobeyed."Yes,sir,"hewenton,inavoicethemoreominousforthesuddenhushheputuponit."Igotaspenderforason-in-law!It'swonderfulwherepropertygoes,sometimes.TherewasolemanTracy--yourememberhim,Doc--J.R.Tracy,solidbanker.Hewentintothebankasmessenger,seventeenyearsold;hewaspresidentatforty-three,andhebuiltthatbankwithhislifeforfortyyearsmore.Hewasdowntherefromnineinthemorninguntilfourintheafternoonthedaybeforehedied--overeighty!Giltedge,thatbank?Itwasdiamondedge!Heusedtoeatabago'peanutsandanappleforlunch;buthewasn'tstingy--hewasjustlivin'inhisbusiness.Hedidn'tcareforpieorautomobiles--hehadhisbank.Itwasaninstitution,anditcomeprettynearbein'thebeatin'hearto'thistowninitstime.Well,thatolemanusedtopassoneo'thesehereturned-up-noseandturned-up-pantscigaretteboysonthestreets.Neverspoketohim,Tracydidn't.Speaktohim?God!hewouldn't'a'coughedonhim!Hewouldn't'a'lethimcleanthecuspidorsatthebank!Why,ifhe'd'a'justseenhimstandin'inFRONTthebankhe'd'a'hadhimrunoffthestreet.AndyetallTracywasdoin'everydayofhislifewasworkin'forthatcigaretteboy!Tracythoughtitwasforthebank;hethoughthewasgivin'hislifeandhislife-bloodandthebloodofhisbrainforthebank,buthewasn't.Itwaseverybit--fromthetimehewentinatseventeentillhediedinharnessat

eighty-three--itwaseverylastlickofitjustslavin'forthatturned-up-nose,turned-up-pantscigaretteboy.ANDTRACYDIDN'TEVENKNOWHISNAME!Hedied,noteverhavin'heardit,thoughhechasedhimoffthefrontstepsofhishouseonce.ThedayafterTracydiedhisold-maiddaughtermarriedthecigarette--andthereAIN'TanyTracybankanymore!Andnow"--hisvoiceroseagain--"andnowIgotacigaretteson-in-law!"

Gurneypointedtotheflourishingrighthandwithoutspeaking,andSheridanoncemorereturnedittothesling.

"Myson-in-lawlikesFloridathiswinter,"Sheridanwenton."That'sgood,andmyson-in-lawbetterenjoyit,becauseIdon'tthinkhe'll

betherenextwinter.Theygottwelve-thousanddollarstospend,andIhearitcanbedoneinFloridabyrichsons-in-law.WhenRoscoe'swomangotmetospendthatmuchonaporchfortheirnewhouse,Edithwouldn'tgivemeaminute'sresttillIturnedoverthesametoher.Andshe'sgotit,besideswhatIgavehertogoEaston.It'llbegonelongbeforethistimenextyear,andwhenshecomeshomeandleavesthecigarettebehind--forgood--she'llgetsomemore.MYnameain'tTracy,andthereain'tgoin'tobeanyTracybusinessintheSheridanfamily.Andthereain'tgoin'tobeanycollegefoundin'andendowin'andtrusteein',norGod-knows-whattokeepmypropertyalivewhenI'mgone!Edith'llbeback,andshe'llgetagirl'ssharewhenshe'sthroughwiththatcigarette,but--"

"Bytheway,"interposedGurney,"didn'tMrs.SheridantellmethatBibbswarnedyouEdithwouldmarryLamhorninNewYork?"

Sheridanwentcompletelytopieces:heswore,whilehiswifescreamedandstoppedherears.Andashesworehepoundedthetablewithhiswoundedhand,andwhenthedoctor,afterstormingathimineffectively,sprangtocatchandprotectthathand,Sheridanwrencheditaway,tearingthebandage.Hehammeredthetabletillitleaped.



"Fool!"hepanted,choking."Ifhe'sshowngumptionenoughtoguessrightthefirsttimeinhislife,it'senoughformetobeginlearnin'himon!"And,strugglingwiththedoctor,heleanedtowardBibbs,thrustingforwardhisconvulsedface,whichwasdeathlypale."Mynameain'tTracy,Itellyou!"hescreamed,hoarsely."Yougivein,youstubbornfool!I'vehadmywaywithyoubefore,andI'llhavemywaywithyounow!"

Bibbs'sfacewasaswhiteashisfather's,buthekeptrememberingthat"splendidlook"ofMary'swhichhehadtoldherwouldgivehimcourageinastruggle,sothathewould"nevergiveup."

"No.Youcan'thaveyourway,"hesaid.Andthen,obeyingasignificantmotionofGurney'shead,hewentoutquickly,leavingthemstruggling.

Mrs.Sheridan,inawrapper,noiselesslyopenedthedoorofherhusband'sroomatdaybreakthenextmorning,andpeeredwithinthedarkenedchamber.Atthe"old"housetheyhadsharedaroom,butthearchitecthadchosentoseparatethemattheNew,andtheyhadnotknownhowtoformulateanobjection,althoughtobothofthemsomethingseemedvaguelyreprehensibleinthenewarrangement.

Sheridandidnotstir,andshewaswithdrawingherheadfromtheaperturewhenhespoke.

"Oh,I'm,AWAKE!Comein,ifyouwantto,andshutthedoor."

Shecameandsatbythebed."Iwokeupthinkin'aboutit,"sheexplained."AndthemoreIthoughtaboutitthesurerIgotImustberight,andIknewyou'dbetormentin'yourselfifyouwasawake,so--well,yougotplentyothertroubles,butI'mjustsureyouain'tgoin'tohavetheworrywithBibbsitlookslike."

"YouBETIain't!"hegrunted.

"Lookhowbiddablehewasaboutgoin'backtotheWorks,"shecontinued."He'sarightgood-heartedboy,really,andsometimesIhonestlyhavetosayheseemsrightsmart,too.Nowandthenhe'llsaysomethingsoundsrightbright.'Course,mostalwaysitdoesn't,andagooddealofthetime,whenhesaysthings,why,Ihavetofeelgladwehaven'tgotcompany,becausethey'dthinkhedidn'thaveanygumptionatall.Yet,lookatthewayhedidwhenJim--whenJimgothurt.Hetookrightholdo'things.'Coursehe'dbeensickhimselfsomuchandall--andtherestofusneverhad,much,andwewerekindo'greenaboutwhattodointhatkindo'trouble--still,hedidtakehold,andeverythingwentoffallright;you'llhavetosaythatmuch,papa.AndDr.Gurneysayshe'sgotbrains,andyoucan'tdenybutwhatthedoctor'srightconsiderableofaman.Heactssleepy,but

that'sonlybecausehe'sgotsuchalargepractice--he'saprettywide-awakekindofamansomeways.Well,whathesayslastnightaboutBibbshimselfbein'asleep,andhowmuchhe'damounttoifheeverwokeup--that'swhatIgottothinkin'about.Youheardhim,papa;hesays,'Bibbs'llbeabiggerbusinessmanthanwhatJimandRoscoewasputtogether--ifheeverwakesup,'hesays.Wasn'tthatexactlywhathesays?"

"Isupposeso,"saidSheridan,withoutexhibitinganyinterest."Gurney'scrazier'nBibbs,butifhewasn't--ifwhathesayswas



true--whatofit?"

"Listen,papa.JustsupposeBibbstookitintohismindtogetmarried.Youknowwherehegoesallthetime--"

"Oh,Lord,yes!"Sheridanturnedoverinthebed,hisfacetothewall,leavingvisibleofhimselfonlythethickgrizzleofhishair."Youbettergobacktosleep.Herunsoverthere--everyminuteshe'lllethim,Isuppose.Gobacktobed.There'snothin'init."

"WHYain'tthere?"sheurged."Iknowbetter--thereis,too!Youwaitandsee.There'sjustonethingintheworldthat'llwakethesleepiestyoungmanaliveup--yes,andmakehimJUMPup--andIdon'tcarewhoheisorhowsoundasleepitlookslikeheis.That'swhenhetakesitintohisheadtopickoutsomegirlandsettledownandhaveahomeandchuldernofhisown.THEN,Iguess,he'llgooutafterthemoney!You'llsee.I'veknowndozenso'cases,andso'veyou--moony,no-'countyoungmen,allnotionsandtalk,goin'tobeministers,maybeorsomething;andthere'sjustthisonethingtakesitoutof'emandbrings'emrightdowntobusiness.Well,InevercouldmakeoutjustwhatitisBibbswantstobe,really;doesn'tseemhewantstobeaministerexactly--he'ssofar-awayyoucan'ttell,andheneverSAYS--butIknowthisisgoin'togethimrightdowntocommonsense.Now,Idon'tsaythatBibbshasgottheideainhis

headyet--'relsehewouldn'tbetalkin'thatfool-talkaboutninedollarsaweekbein'goodenoughforhimtoliveon.Butit'sCOMIN',papa,andhe'llJUMPforwhateveryouwanttohandhimout.Hewill!AndIcantellyouthismuch,too:he'llwantallthesalaryandstockhecangetholdof,andhe'llhustletokeepgettin'more.Thatgirl'sthekindthatayounghusbandjustgoescrazytogivethingsto!She'sprettyandfine-lookin',andthingslookniceonher,andIguessshe'dliketohave'emaboutaswellasthenext.AndIguesssheisn'tgettin'manythesedays,either,andshe'llbeprettyreadyforthechange.Isawherwithhersleevesrolledupatthekitchenwindowtheotherday,andJacksontoldmeyesterdaytheircooklefttwoweeksago,andtheyhaven'ttriedtohireanotherone.Hesaysherandhermotherbeendoin'thehouseworkagood

while,andnowthey'redoin'thecookin,'too.'CourseBibbswouldn'tknowthatunlessshe'stoldhim,andIreckonshewouldn't;she'skindo'stiffish-lookin',andBibbsistooupinthecloudstonoticeanythinglikethatforhimself.They'veneveraskedhimtoamealinthehouse,buthewouldn'tnoticethat,either--he'skindofinnocent.NowIwasthinkin'--youknow,Idon'tsupposewe'vehardlymentionedthegirl'snameattablesinceJimwent,butitseemstomemaybeif--"

Sheridanflungouthisarms,utteringasoundhalf-groan,half-yawn."You'rebarkin'upthewrongtree!Goonbacktobed,mamma!"

"WhyamI?"shedemanded,crossly."WhyamIbarkin'upthewrong

tree?"

"Becauseyouare.There'snothin'init."

"I'llbetyou,"shesaid,rising--"I'llbetyouhegoestochurchwithherthismorning.Whatyouwanttobet?"

"Gobacktobed,"hecommanded."IKNOWwhatI'mtalkin'about;there'snothin'init,Itellyou."



Sheshookherheadperplexedly."Youthinkbecause--becauseJimwasrunnin'somuchwithheritwouldn'tlookright?"

"No.Nothin'todowithit."

"Then--doyouknowsomethingaboutitthatyouain'ttoldme?"

"Yes,Ido,"hegrunted."Nowgoon.MaybeIcangetalittlesleep.Iain'thadanyyet!"

"Well--"Shewenttothedoor,herexpressiondowncast."Ithoughtmaybe--but--"Shecoughedprefatorily."Oh,papa,somethingelseIwantedtotellyou.Iwastalkin'toRoscoeoverthe'phonelastnightwhenthetelegramcame,soIforgottotellyou,but--well,Sibylwantstocomeoverthisafternoon.Roscoesaysshehassomethingshewantstosaytous.It'llbethefirsttimeshe'sbeenoutsinceshewasabletositup--andIreckonshewantstotellusshe'ssorryforwhathappened.Theyexpecttogetoffbytheendo'theweek,andIreckonshewantstofeelshe'sdonewhatshecouldtokindo'makeup.Anyway,that'swhathesaid.I'phonedhimagainaboutEdith,andhesaiditwouldn'tdisturbSibyl,becauseshe'dbeenexpectin'it;shewassureallalongitwasgoin'tohappen;and,besides,Iguessshe'sgotallthatfoolishnessprettymuchoutofher,bein'sosick.ButwhatIthoughtwas,nousebein'rough

withher,papa--Iexpectshe'ssufferedagooddeal--andIdon'tthinkwe'doughttobe,onRoscoe'saccount.You'll--you'llbekindo'politetoher,won'tyou,papa?"

Hemumbledsomethingwhichwassmotheredunderthecoverlethehadpulledoverhishead.

"What?"shesaid,timidly."Iwasjustsayin'Ihopedyou'dtreatSibylallrightwhenshecomes,thisafternoon.Youwill,won'tyou,papa?"

Hethrewthecoverletofffuriously."Ipresumeso!"heroared.

Shedepartedguiltily.

ButifhehadacceptedherprofferedwagerthatBibbswouldgotochurchwithMaryVertreesthatmorning,Mrs.Sheridanwouldhavelost.Nevertheless,BibbsandMarydidcertainlysetoutfromMr.Vertrees'shousewiththepurposeofgoingtochurch.Thatwastheirintention,andtheyhadnoother.Theymeanttogotochurch.

Butithappenedthattheywereattentivelypreoccupiedinaconversationastheycametothechurch;andthoughMarywaslookingtotherightandBibbswaslookingtotheleft,Bibbs'sleftwardglanceconvergedwithMary'srightwardglance,andneitherwaslookingfarbeyondtheotheratthistime.Italsohappenedthat,thoughthey

werealittlejostledamonggroupsofpeopleinthevicinityofthechurch,theypassedthissomewhatprominentedificewithoutbeingawareoftheirproximitytoit,andtheyhadgoneanincrediblenumberofblocksbeyonditbeforetheydiscoveredtheirerror.However,feelingthattheymightbeembarrassinglylateiftheyreturned,theydecidedthatawalkwouldmakethemasgood.Itwasawindlesswintermorning,withaninchofcrispsnowovertheground.Sotheywalked,andforthemostparttheyweresilent,butontheirwayhome,aftertheyhadturnedbackatnoon,theybegantobetalkativeagain.



"Mary,"saidBibbs,afteratime,"amIasleep-walker?"

Shelaughedalittle,thenlookedgrave."Doesyourfathersayyouare?"

"Yes--whenhe'sinamoodtoflatterme.Othertimes,othernames.Hehasquitealist."

"Youmustn'tmind,"shesaid,gently."He'sbeengettingsomeprettysevereshocks.Whatyou'vetoldmemakesmeprettysorryforhim,Bibbs.I'vealwaysbeensurehe'sverybig."

"Yes.Bigand--blind.He'slikeaHerculeswithouteyesandwithoutanyconsciousnessexceptthatofhisstrengthandofhispurposetogrowstronger.Strongerforwhat?Fornothing."

"Areyousure,Bibbs?ItCAN'Tbefornothing;itmustbestrongerforsomething,eventhoughhedoesn'tknowwhatitis.PerhapswhatheandhiskindarestrugglingforissomethingsogreattheyCOULDN'Tseeit--sogreatnoneofuscouldseeit."

"No,he'sjustlikesomeblind,unconsciousthingheavingunderground--"

"Tillhebreaksthroughandleapsoutintothedaylight,"shefinishedforhim,cheerily.

"Intothesmoke,"saidBibbs."Lookatthepowderofcoal-dustalreadydirtyingthedecentsnow,eventhoughit'sSunday.That'sfromthelittlepigs;thebigonesaren'tsobad,onSunday!There'safleckofsootonyourcheek.Somepigsentitoutintotheair;hemightaswellhavethrownitonyou.Itwouldhavebeenbraver,forthenhe'dhavetakenhischanceofmywhippinghimforitifIcould."

"IStheresootonmycheek,Bibbs,orwereyouonlysayingsorhetorically?ISthere?"

"Isthere?ThereAREsootonyourcheeks,Mary--afleckoneach.OnelandedsinceImentionedthefirst."

Shehaltedimmediately,givinghimherhandkerchief,andhesucceededintransferringmostoftheblackfromherfacetothecambric.Theywereentirelymatter-of-courseaboutit.

Anelderlycouple,itchanced,hadbeenwalkingbehindBibbsandMaryforthelastblockorso,andpassedaheadduringtheremovalofthesoot."There!"saidtheelderlywife."You'realwayswrongwhenyoubeginguessingaboutstrangers.Thosetwoyoungpeoplearen'thoneymoonersatall--they'vebeenmarriedforyears.Ablindman

couldseethat."

"IwishIdidknowwhothrewthatsootonyou,"saidBibbs,lookingupattheneighboringchimneys,astheywenton."Theyarrestchildrenforthrowingsnowballsatthestreet-cars,but--"

"Buttheydon'tarrestthestreet-carsforshakingallthepicturesinthehousescrookedeverytimetheygoby.Norfortheuproartheymake.Iwonderwhat'sthecostinnervesforthenoiseofthecityeachyear.Yes,wepaythepriceforlivingina'growingtown,'





offeringmoredefiniteinformation.ThenherealizedthattheywerepassingtheNewHouse,andhesighedprofoundly."Mary,ourwalk'salmostover."

Shelookedasblank."Soitis,Bibbs."

Theysaidnomoreuntiltheycametohergate.Astheydriftedslowlytoastop,thedoorofRoscoe'shouseopened,andRoscoecameoutwithSibyl,whowasstartlinglypale.Sheseemedlittleenfeebledbyherillness,however,walkingratherquicklyatherhusband'ssideandnottakinghisarm.ThetwocrossedthestreetwithoutappearingtoseeMaryandhercompanion,andenteringtheNewHouse,werelosttosight.Marygazedafterthemgravely,butBibbs,lookingatMary,didnotseethem.

"Mary,"hesaid,"youseemveryserious.Isanythingbotheringyou?"

"No,Bibbs."Andshegavehimabright,quicklookthatmadehiminstantlyunreasonablyhappy.

"Iknowyouwanttogoin--"hebegan.

"No.Idon'twantto."

"Imustn'tkeepyoustandinghere,andImustn'tgoinwithyou--but--Ijustwantedtosay--I'veseemedverystupidtomyselfthismorning,grumblingaboutsootandallthat--whileallthetimeI--Mary,Ithinkit'sbeentheveryhappiestofallthehoursyou'vegivenme.Ido.And--Idon'tknowjustwhy--butit'sseemedtomethatitwasoneI'dalwaysremember.Andyou,"headded,falteringly,"youlookso--sobeautifulto-day!"

"Itmusthavebeenthesootonmycheek,Bibbs."

"Mary,willyoutellmesomething?"heasked.

"IthinkIwill."

"It'ssomethingI'vehadalotoftheoriesabout,butnoneofthemeverjustfits.Youusedtowearfursinthefall,butnowit'ssomuchcolder,youdon't--youneverwearthematallanymore.Whydon'tyou?"

Hereyesfellforamoment,andshegrewred.Thenshelookedupgaily."Bibbs,ifItellyoutheanswerwillyoupromisenottoaskanymorequestions?"

"Yes.Whydidyoustopwearingthem?"

"BecauseIfoundI'dbewarmerwithoutthem!"Shecaughthishand

quicklyinherownforaninstant,laughedintohiseyes,andranintothehouse.

Itistheconsolingattributeofunusedbooksthattheirdecorativewarmthwillsooftenmakeevenaready-madelibrarytheactual"living-room"ofafamilytowhomtheshelvedvolumesareindeedsealed.ThusitwaswithSheridan,whoreadnothingexceptnewspapers,businessletters,andfigures;wholookeduponbooksashelookeduponbric-a-bracorcrocheting--whenhewasathome,and



notabedoreating,hewasinthelibrary.

Hestoodinthemany-coloredlightofthestained-glasswindowatthefarendofthelongroom,whenRoscoeandhiswifecamein,andheexhaledasolemnity.HisdeferencetotheSabbathwasmanifest,asalways,inthelengthofhiscoatandtheclosenessofhisSaturday-nightshave;andhisexpression,tomatchthisreligiouspomp,wasmorethanSabbatical,butthemostdismayingofhisdemonstrationswashiskeepinghishandinhissling.

Sibyladvancedtothemiddleoftheroomandhaltedthere,notlookingathim,butdownathermuff,inwhich,itcouldbeseen,herhandswerenervouslymoving.Roscoewenttoachairinanotherpartoftheroom.Therewasadeadlysilence.

ButSibylfoundashakyvoice,afteranintervalofgulping,thoughshewasunabletolifthereyes,andthedarklinglidscontinuedtoveilthem.Shespokehurriedly,likeanungiftedchildrecitingsomethingcommittedtomemory,buthersinceritywasnonethelessevidentforthat.

"FatherSheridan,youandmotherSheridanhavealwaysbeensokindtome,andIwouldhatetohaveyouthinkIdon'tappreciateit,fromthewayIacted.I'vecometotellyouIamsorryforthewayIdidthat

night,andtosayIknowaswellasanybodythewayIbehaved,anditwillneverhappenagain,becauseit'sbeenaprettyhardlesson;andwhenwecomeback,someday,Ihopeyou'llseethatyou'vegotadaughter-in-lawyouneverneedtobeashamedofagain.IwanttoaskyoutoexcusemeforthewayIdid,andIcansayIhaven'tanyfeelingstowardEdithnow,butonlywishherhappinessandgoodinhernewlife.Ithankyouforallyourkindnesstome,andIknowImadeapoorreturnforit,butifyoucanoverlookthewayIbehavedIknowIwouldfeelagooddealhappier--andIknowRoscoewould,too.Iwishtopromisenottobeasfoolishinthefuture,andthesameerrorwouldneveroccuragaintomakeusallsounhappy,ifyoucanbecharitableenoughttoexcuseitthistime."

Helookedsteadilyatherwithoutreplying,andshestoodbeforehim,neverliftinghereyes;motionless,savewherethemovingfurprovedtheagitationofherhandswithinthemuff.

"Allright,"hesaidatlast.

Shelookedupthenwithvastrelief,thoughtherewasarevelationofheavytearswhentheeyelidslifted.

"Thankyou,"shesaid."There'ssomethingelse--aboutsomethingdifferent--Iwanttosaytoyou,butIwantmotherSheridantohearit,too."

"She'sup-stairsinherroom,"saidSheridan."Roscoe--"

Sibylinterrupted.ShehadjustseenBibbspassthroughthehallandbegintoascendthestairs;andinaflashsheinstinctivelyperceivedthechanceforpreciselytheeffectshewanted.

"No,letmego,"shesaid."Iwanttospeaktoheraminutefirst,anyway."

Andshewentawayquickly,gainingthetopofthestairsintimeto



seeBibbsenterhisroomandclosethedoor.SibylknewthatBibbs,inhisroom,hadoverheardherquarrelwithEdithinthehalloutside;forbitterEdith,thinkingthemoretoshameher,hadsubsequentlyinformedherofthecircumstance.Sibylhadjustrememberedthis,andwiththerecollectiontherehadflashedthethought--outofherownexperience--thatpeopleareoftenmuchmoredeeplyimpressedbywordstheyoverhearthanbywordsdirectlyaddressedtothem.SibylintendedtomakeitimpossibleforBibbsnottooverhear.Shedidnothesitate--herheartwashotwiththeoldsore,andshebelievedwhollyinthejusticeofhercauseandinthetruthofwhatshewasgoingtosay.Fatewasvirtuousattimes;ithaddeliveredintoherhandsthegirlwhohadaffrontedher.

Mrs.Sheridanwasinherownroom.TheapproachofSibylandRoscoehaddrivenherfromthelibrary,forshehadmiscalculatedherhusband'smood,andshefeltthatifheusedhisinjuredhandasamarkofemphasisagain,inherpresence,shewould(asshethoughtofit)"haveafitrightthere."SheheardSibyl'sstep,andpretendedtobeputtingatouchtoherhairbeforeamirror.

"Iwasjustcomingdown,"shesaid,asthedooropened.

"Yes,hewantsyouto,"saidSibyl."It'sallright,motherSheridan.He'sforgivenme."

Mrs.Sheridansniffedinstantly;tearsappeared.Shekissedherdaughter-in-law'scheek;then,insilence,regardedthemirrorafresh,wipedhereyes,andappliedpowder.

"AndIhopeEdithwillbehappy,"Sibyladded,incitingmoreapplicationsofMrs.Sheridan'shandkerchiefandpowder.

"Yes,yes,"murmuredthegoodwoman."Wemustn'tmaketheworstofthings."

"Well,therewassomethingelseIhadtosay,andhewantsyoutohearit,too,"saidSibyl."Webettergodown,motherSheridan."

Sheledtheway,Mrs.Sheridanfollowingobediently,butwhentheycametoaspotclosebyBibbs'sdoor,Sibylstopped."Iwanttotellyouaboutitfirst,"shesaid,abruptly."Itisn'tasecret,ofcourse,inanyway;it'ssomethingthewholefamilyhastoknow,andthesoonerthewholefamilyknowsitthebetter.It'ssomethingitwouldn'tbeRIGHTforusALLnottounderstand,andofcoursefatherSheridanmostofall.ButIwanttojustkindofgooveritfirstwithyou;it'llkindofhelpmetoseeIgotitallstraight.Ihaven'tgotanyreasonforsayingitexceptthegoodofthefamily,andit'snothingtome,onewayortheother,ofcourse,exceptforthat.Ioughtn'tto'vebehavedthewayIdidthatnight,anditseemstomeifthere'sanythingIcandotohelpthefamily,Ioughtto,

becauseitwouldhelpshowIfelttherightway.Well,whatIwanttodoistotellthisso'stokeepthefamilyfrombeingmadeafoolof.Idon'twanttoseethefamilyjustmadeuseofandtwistedaroundherfingerbysomebodythat'sgotnomoreheartthansomuchice,andjustassuretobringtroublesinthelongrunas--asEdith'smistakeis.Well,then,thisisthewayitis.I'lljusttellyouhowitlookstomeandseeifitdon'tstrikeyouthesameway."

Withintheroom,Bibbs,muchannoyed,tappedhisearwithhispencil.Hewishedtheywouldn'tstandtalkingnearhisdoorwhenhewastrying



towrite.HehadjusttakenfromhistrunkthemanuscriptofapoembeguntheprecedingSundayafternoon,andhehadsomeideashewantedtofixuponpaperbeforetheymaliciouslyseizedthefirstopportunitytovanish,fortheywerebutgossamer.Bibbswaspleasedwiththebeginningsofhispoem,andifhecouldcarryitthroughhemeanttodaregreatlywithit--hewouldventureituponaneditor.Forhehadhisplanoflifenow:hisdaywouldbeofmanuallaborandthinking--hecouldthinkofhisfriendandhecouldthinkincadencesforpoems,tothecrashingofthestrongmachine--andifhisfatherturnedhimoutofhomeandoutoftheWorks,hewouldworkelsewhereandliveelsewhere.Hisfatherhadtheright,anditmatteredverylittletoBibbs--hefacedtheprospectofaworking-man'slodging-housewithouttrepidation.Hecouldfindawashstandtowriteupon,hethought;andeveryeveningwhenheleftMaryhewouldwritealittle;andhewouldwriteonholidaysandonSundays--onSundaysintheafternoon.Inalodging-house,atleasthewouldn'tbeinterruptedbyhissister-in-law'schoosingtheimmediatevicinityofhisdoorforconversationsevidentlyimportanttoherself,butmerelydisturbingtohim.Hefrownedplaintively,wishinghecouldthinkofsomepolitewayofaskinghertogoaway.But,asshewenton,hestartedviolently,droppingmanuscriptandpenciluponthefloor.

"Idon'tknowwhetheryouheardit,motherSheridan,"shesaid,"butthisoldVertreeshouse,nextdoor,hadbeensoldonforeclosure,and

allTHEYgotoutofitwasanagreementthatlet's'emlivetherealittlelonger.Roscoetoldme,andhesaysheheardMr.Vertreeshasbeenupanddownthestreetsmore'ntwoyears,tryin'togetajobhecouldcalla'position,'andcouldn'tlandit.Youheardanythingaboutit,motherSheridan?"

"Well,IDIDknowtheybeendoin'theirownhouse-workagoodwhileback,"saidMrs.Sheridan."Andnowthey'redoin'thecookin',too."

Sibylsentforthalittletitterwithasharpedge."Ihopetheyfindsomethingtocook!ShesoldherpianomightyquickafterJimdied!"

Bibbsjumpedup.Hewastremblingfromheadtofootandhewasdizzy

--ofalltherealthingshecouldneverhavedreamedinhisdreamthelastwouldhavebeenwhatheheardnow.Hefeltthatsomethingincrediblewashappening,andthathewaspowerlesstostopit.ItseemedtohimthatheavyblowswerefallingonhisheadanduponMary's;itseemedtohimthatheandMarywerebeingstruckandbeatenphysically--andthatsomethinghideousimpended.HewantedtoshouttoSibyltobesilent,buthecouldnot;hecouldonlystand,swallowingandtrembling.

"WhatIthinkthewholefamilyoughttounderstandisjustthis,"saidSibyl,sharply."ThosepeopleweresohardupthatthisMissVertreesstartedafterBibbsbeforetheyknewwhetherhewasINSANEornot!They'dgotanotionhemightbe,fromhisbeinginasanitarium,and

Mrs.VertreesASKEDmeifhewasinsane,theveryfirstdayBibbstookthedaughteroutauto-riding!"Shepausedamoment,lookingatMrs.Sheridan,butlisteningintently.Therewasnosoundfromwithintheroom.

"No!"exclaimedMrs.Sheridan.

"It'sthetruth,"Sibyldeclared,loudly."Oh,ofcoursewewereallcrazyaboutthatgirlatfirst.Wewereprettygreenwhenwemoveduphere,andwethoughtshe'dgetusIN--butitdidn'ttakeMElongto



readher!Herfamilyweredownandoutwhenitcametomoney--andtheyhadtogoafterit,onewayoranother,SOMEHOW!SoshestartedforRoscoe;butshefoundoutprettyquickhewasmarried,andsheturnedrightaroundtoJim--andshelandedhim!There'snodoubtaboutit,shehadJim,andifhe'dlivedyou'dhadanotherdaughter-in-lawbeforethis,assureasIstandheretellingyoutheGod'struthaboutit!Well--whenJimwasleftinthecemeteryshewaswaitingouttheretodrivehomewithBibbs!Jimwasn'tCOLD--andshedidn'tknowwhetherBibbswasinsaneornot,buthewastheonlyoneoftherichSheridanboysleft.Shehadtogethim."

Thetextureofwhatwasthetruthmadeanevenfabricwithwhatwasnot,inSibyl'smind;shebelievedeverywordthatsheuttered,andshespokewiththerapidityandvehemenceoffierceconviction.

"WhatIfeelaboutitis,"shesaid,"itoughtn'ttobeallowedtogoon.It'stoomean!IlikepoorBibbs,andIdon'twanttoseehimmadesuchafoolof,andIdon'twanttoseethefamilymadesuchafoolof!IlikepoorBibbs,butifhe'donlystoptothinkaminutehimselfhe'dhavetorealizeheisn'tthekindofmanANYgirlwouldbeapttofallinlovewith.He'sbetter-lookinglately,maybe,butyouknowhowheWAS--justkindofalongwhiteragingoodclothes.AndgirlslikemenwithsomeSOto'em--SOMEsortofdashingness,anyhow!NobodyeverlookedatpoorBibbsbefore,andneither'dshe

--no,SIR!nottillshe'dtriedbothRoscoeandJimfirst!Itwasonlywhenherandherfamilygotdesperatethatshe--"

Bibbs--whiterthanwhenhecamefromthesanitarium--openedthedoor.Hesteppedacrossitsthresholdandstooklookingather.Bothwomenscreamed.

"Oh,goodheavens!"criedSibyl."WereyouinTHERE?Oh,Iwouldn't--"SheseizedMrs.Sheridan'sarm,pullinghertowardthestairway."Comeon,motherSheridan!"sheurged,andasthebefuddledandconfusedladyobeyed,Sibylleftatrailofnoisyexclamations:"Goodgracious!Oh,Iwouldn't--toobad!Ididn'tDREAMhewasthere!Iwouldn'thurthisfeelings!Notforthe

world!OfcoursehehadtoknowSOMEtime!But,goodheavens--"

SheheardhisdoorcloseassheandMrs.Sheridanreachedthetopofthestairs,andsheglancedoverhershoulderquickly,butBibbswasnotfollowing;hehadgonebackintohisroom.

"He--helooked--oh,terriblebad!"stammeredMrs.Sheridan."I--Iwish--"

"Still,it'sagooddealbetterheknowsaboutit,"saidSibyl."Ishouldn'twonderitmightturnouttheverybestthingcouldhappened.Comeon!"

Andcompletingtheirdescenttothelibrary,thetwomadetheirappearancetoRoscoeandhisfather.Sibylatoncegaveafullandtruthfulaccountofwhathadtakenplace,repeatingherownremarks,andomittingonlythefactthatitwasthroughherdesignthatBibbshadoverheardthem.

"ButasItoldmotherSheridan,"shesaid,inconclusion,"itmightturnoutfortheverybestthathedidhear--justthatway.Don'tyouthinkso,fatherSheridan?"



Hemerelygruntedinreply,andsatrubbingthethickhaironthetopofhisheadwithhislefthandandlookingatthefire.HehadgivennosignofbeingimpressedinanymannerbyherexposureofMaryVertrees'scharacter;buthisimpassivitydidnotdismaySibyl--itwasBibbswhomshedesiredtoimpress,andshewascontentinthatmatter.

"I'msureitwasallforthebest,"shesaid."It'sovernow,andheknowswhatsheis.InonewayIthinkitwaslucky,because,justhearingathingthatway,apersoncantellit'sSO--andheknowsIhaven'tgotanyaxtogrindexcepthisowngoodandthegoodofthefamily."

Mrs.Sheridanwentnervouslytothedoorandstoodthere,lookingtowardthestairway."Iwish--IwishIknewwhathewasdoin',"shesaid."Hedidlookterriblebad.Itwaslikesomethinghadbeendonetohimthatwas--Idon'tknowwhat.Ineversawanybodylooklikehedid.Helooked--soqueer.Itwaslikeyou'd--"Shecalleddownthehall,"George!"

"Yes'm?"

"WereyouupinMr.Bibbs'sroomjustnow?"

"Yes'm.Heringbell;tolememakehimfiahinhisgrate.Idonebuil'himnicefiah.Ireckonheain'feelin'sowell.Yes'm."Hedeparted.

"Whatdoyouexpecthewantsafirefor?"sheasked,turningtowardherhusband."Thehouseiswarmascanbe,IdowishI--"

"Oh,quitfrettin'!"saidSheridan.

"Well,I--Ikindo'wishyouhadn'tsaidanything,Sibyl.Iknowyoumeantitforthebestandall,butIdon'tbelieveitwouldbeensomuchharmif--"

"MotherSheridan,youdon'tmeanyouWANTthatkindofagirlinthefamily?Why,she--"

"Idon'tknow,Idon'tknow,"thetroubledwomanquavered."Ifhelikedheritseemskindofapitytospoilit.He'ssoqueer,andhehasn'tevertakenmuchenjoyment.Andbesides,Ibelievethewayitwas,therewasmorechanceofhimbein'willin'todowhatpapawantshimto.Ifshewantstomarryhim--"

Sheridaninterruptedherwithahootinglaugh."Shedon't!"hesaid."You'rebarkin'upthewrongtree,Sibyl.Sheain'tthatkindofagirl."

"But,fatherSheridan,didn'tshe--"

Hecuthershort."That'senough.Youmaymeanallright,butyouguesswrong.Sodoyou,mamma."

Sibylcriedout,"Oh!ButjustLOOKhowsheranafterJim--"

"Shedidnot,"hesaid,curtly."Shewouldn'ttakeJim.Sheturnedhimdowncold."



"Butthat'simpossi--"

"It'snot.IKNOWshedid."

Sibyllookedflatlyincredulous.

"AndYOUneedn'tworry,"hesaid,turningtohiswife."Thiswon'thaveanyeffectonyouridea,becausetherewasn'tanysensetoit,anyhow.D'youthinkshe'dbeverylikelytotakeBibbs--aftershewouldn'ttakeJIM?She'sagood-heartedgirl,andsheletsBibbscometoseeher,butifshe'devergivenhimonesignofencouragementthewayyouwomenthink,hewouldn'tofactedthestubbornfoolhehas--he'd'a'beenatmelongago,beggin'meforsomekindofajobhecouldsupportawifeon.There'snothin'init--andI'vegotthesameoldfightwithhimonmyhandsI'vehadallhislife--andtheLordknowswhathewon'tdotobalkme!What'shappenednow'llprobablyonlymakehimtwiceasstubborn,but--"

"SH!"Mrs.Sheridan,stillinthedoorway,liftedherhand."That'shisstep--he'scomin'down-stairs."SheshrankawayfromthedoorasifshefearedtohaveBibbsseeher."I--Iwonder--"shesaid,almostinawhisper--"Iwonderwhathe'dgoin'--todo."

Hertimorousnesshaditseffectupontheothers.Sheridanrose,

frowning,butremainedstandingbesidehischair;andRoscoemovedtowardSibyl,whostareduneasilyattheopendoorway.Theylistenedastheslowstepsdescendedthestairsandcametowardthelibrary.

Bibbsstoppeduponthethreshold,andwithsickandhaggardeyeslookedslowlyfromonetotheotheruntilatlasthisgazeresteduponhisfather.Thenhecameandstoodbeforehim.

"I'msorryyou'vehadsomuchtroublewithme,"hesaid,gently."Youwon't,anymore.I'lltakethejobyouofferedme."

Sheridandidnotspeak--hestared,astoundedandincredulous;andBibbshadlefttheroombeforeanyofitsoccupantsutteredasound,

thoughhewentasslowlyashecame.Mrs.Sheridanwasthefirsttomove.Shewentnervouslybacktothedoorway,andthenoutintothehall.Bibbshadgonefromthehouse.

Bibbs'smotherhadafeelingabouthimthenthatshehadneverknownbefore;itwasindefiniteandvague,butverypoignant--somethinginhermournedforhimuncomprehendingly.Shefeltthatanawfulthinghadbeendonetohim,thoughshedidnotknowwhatitwas.Shewentuptohisroom.

ThefireGeorgehadbuiltforhimwasalmostsmotheredunderthick,charredashesofpaper.Thelidofhistrunkstoodopen,andthelargeuppertray,whichsherememberedtohaveseenfullofpapers

andnote-books,wasempty.AndsomehowsheunderstoodthatBibbshadgivenupthemysteriousvocationhehadhopedtofollow--andthathehadgivenitupforever.Shethoughtitwasthewisestthinghecouldhavedone--andyet,foranunknownreason,shesatuponthebedandweptalittlebeforeshewentdown-stairs.

SoSheridanhadhiswaywithBibbs,allthrough.

AsBibbscameoutoftheNewHouse,aSundaytriowasincourseof



passageuponthesidewalk:anampleyoungwoman,placidofface;ablack-clad,thinyoungman,whoseexpressionwasoneofhabitualanxiety,habitualwarinessandhabitualeagerness.Hepropelledaperambulatorcontainingthethird--andallthreewerenewlycleaned,Sundayfied,andmadefittodinewiththewife'srelatives.

"How'dyoulikeformetobeTHATyoungfella,mamma?"thehusbandwhispered."He'soneofthesons,andthereain'tbuttwoleftnow."

ThewifestaredcuriouslyatBibbs."Well,Idon'tknow,"shereturned."Helookstomelikehehadhisowntroubles."

"Iexpecthehas,likeanybodyelse,"saidtheyounghusband,"butIguesswecouldstandagooddealifwehadhismoney."

"Well,maybe,ifyoukeeponthewayyoubeen,baby'llbeaswellfixedastheSheridans.Youcan'ttell."SheglancedbackatBibbs,whohadturnednorth."Hewalkskindofslowandstoopedover,like."

"Somuchmoneyinhispocketsitmakeshimsag,Iguess,"saidtheyounghusband,withbitteradmiration.

Mary,happeningtoglancefromawindow,sawBibbscoming,andshestarted,claspingherhandstogetherinasuddenalarm.Shemethimatthedoor.

"Bibbs!"shecried."Whatisthematter?IsawsomethingwasterriblywrongwhenI--Youlook--"Shepaused,andhecamein,notliftinghiseyestohers.Alwayswhenhecrossedthatthresholdhehadcomewithhisheadupandhiswistfulgazeseekinghers."Ah,poorboy!"shesaid,withagestureofunderstandingandpity."Iknowwhatitis!"

Hefollowedherintotheroomwheretheyalwayssat,andsankintoachair.

"Youneedn'ttellme,"shesaid."They'vemadeyougiveup.Yourfather'swon--you'regoingtodowhathewants.You'vegivenup."

Stillwithoutlookingather,heinclinedhisheadinaffirmation.

Shegavealittlecryofcompassion,andcameandsatnearhim."Bibbs,"shesaid."Icanbegladofonething,thoughit'sselfish.Icanbegladyoucamestraighttome.It'smoretomethanevenifyou'dcomebecauseyouwerehappy."Shedidnotspeakagainforalittlewhile;thenshesaid:"Bibbs--dear--couldyoutellmeaboutit?Doyouwantto?"

Stillhedidnotlookup,butinavoice,shakenandhuskyheaskedheraquestionsogrotesquethatatfirstshethoughtshehadmisunderstoodhiswords.

"Mary,"hesaid,"couldyoumarryme?"

"Whatdidyousay,Bibbs?"sheasked,quietly.

Histoneandattitudedidnotchange."Willyoumarryme?"



Bothofherhandsleapedtohercheeks--shegrewredandthenwhite.Sheroseslowlyandmovedbackwardfromhim,staringathim,atfirstincredulously,thenwithanintenseperplexitymoreandmoreluminousinherwideeyes;itwaslikeaspokenquestion.Theroomfilledwithstrangenessinthelongsilence--thetwoweresostrangetoeachother.Atlastshesaid:

"Whatmadeyousaythat?"

Hedidnotanswer.

"Bibbs,lookatme!"Hervoicewasloudandclear."Whatmadeyousaythat?Lookatme!"

Hecouldnotlookather,andhecouldnotspeak.

"Whatwasitthatmadeyou?"shesaid."Iwantyoutotellme."

Shewentclosertohim,hereyeseverbrighterandwiderwiththatintensityofwonder."You'vegivenup--toyourfather,"shesaid,slowly,"andthenyoucametoaskme--"Shebrokeoff."Bibbs,doyouwantmetomarryyou?"

"Yes,"hesaid,justaudibly.

"No!"shecried."Youdonot.Thenwhatmadeyouaskme?Whatisitthat'shappened?"

"Nothing."

"Wait,"shesaid."Letmethink.It'ssomethingthathappenedsinceourwalkthismorning--yes,sinceyouleftmeatnoon.Somethinghappenedthat--"Shestoppedabruptly,withatremulousmurmurofamazementanddawningcomprehension.SherememberedthatSibylhadgonetotheNewHouse.

Bibbsswallowedpainfullyandcontrivedtosay,"Ido--Idowant

youto--marryme,if--if--youcould."

Shelookedathim,andslowlyshookherhead."Bibbs,doyou--"Hervoicewasasunsteadyashis--littlemorethanawhisper."DoyouthinkI'm--inlovewithyou?"

"No,"hesaid.

Somewhereinthestillairoftheroomtherewasawhisperedword;itdidnotseemtocomefromMary'spartedlips,buthewasawareofit."Why?"

"I'vehadnothingbutdreams,"Bibbssaid,desolately,"butthey

weren'tlikethat.Sibylsaidnogirlcouldcareaboutme."Hesmiledfaintly,thoughstillhedidnotlookatMary."AndwhenIfirstcamehomeEdithtoldmeSibylwassoanxioustomarrythatshe'dhavemarriedME.ShemeantittoexpressSibyl'sextremity,yousee.ButIhardlyneededeitherofthemtotellme.Ihadn'tthoughtofmyselfas--well,notasparticularlycaptivating!"

Oddlyenough,Mary'spallorchangedtoanangryflush."Thosetwo!"sheexclaimed,sharply;andthen,withthoroughgoingcontempt:"Lamhorn!That'slikethem!"Sheturnedaway,wenttothebare



littleblackmantel,andstoodleaninguponit.Presentlysheasked:"WHENdidMrs.RoscoeSheridansaythat'nogirl'couldcareaboutyou?"

"To-day."

Marydrewadeepbreath."IthinkI'mbeginningtounderstand--alittle."Shebitherlip;therewasangeringoodtruthinhereyesandinhervoice."Answermeoncemore,"shesaid."Bibbs,doyouknownowwhyIstoppedwearingmyfurs?"

"Yes."

"Ithoughtso!Yoursister-in-lawtoldyou,didn'tshe?"

"I--Iheardhersay--"

"IthinkIknowwhathappened,now."Mary'sbreathcamefastandhervoiceshook,butshespokerapidly."You'heardhersay'morethanthat.You'heardhersay'thatwewerebitterlypoor,andonthataccountItriedfirsttomarryyourbrother--andthen--"Butnowshefaltered,anditwasonlyafteraconvulsiveeffortthatshewasabletogoon."Andthen--thatItriedtomarry--you!You'heardhersay'that--andyoubelievethatIdon'tcareforyou

andthat'nogirl'couldcareforyou--butyouthinkIaminsuchan'extremity,'asSibylwas--thatyou--Andso,notwantingme,andbelievingthatIcouldnotwantyou--exceptformy'extremity'--youtookyourfather'sofferandthencametoaskme--tomarryyou!WhathadIshownyouofmyselfthatcouldmakeyou--"

Suddenlyshesankdown,kneeling,withherfaceburiedinherarmsuponthelapofachair,tearsoverwhelmingher.

"Mary,Mary!"hecried,helplessly."OhNO--you--youdon'tunderstand."

"Ido,though!"shesobbed."Ido!"

Hecameandstoodbesideher."Youkillme!"hesaid."Ican'tmakeitplain.Fromthefirstofyourlovelinesstome,Iwasallself.ItwasalwaysyouthatgaveandIthattook.Iwasthedependent--Ididnothingbutleanonyou.Wealwaystalkedofme,notofyou.Itwasallaboutmyidioticdistressesandtroubles.Ithoughtofyouasakindofwonderfulbeingthathadnomortalorhumansufferingexceptbysympathy.Youseemedtoleandown--outofarosycloud--tobekindtome.IneverdreamedIcoulddoanythingforYOU!Ineverdreamedyoucouldneedanythingtobedoneforyoubyanybody.Andto-dayIheardthat--thatyou--"

"YouheardthatIneededtomarry--someone--anybody--withmoney,"

shesobbed."Andyouthoughtwewereso--sodesperate--youbelievedthatIhad--"

"No!"hesaid,quickly."Ididn'tbelieveyou'ddoneonekindthingforme--forthat.No,no,no!Iknewyou'dNEVERthoughtofmeexceptgenerously--togive.IsaidIcouldn'tmakeitplain!"hecried,despairingly.

"Wait!"Sheliftedherheadandextendedherhandstohimunconsciously,likeachild."Helpmeup,Bibbs."Then,whenshe



wasoncemoreuponherfeet,shewipedhereyesandsmileduponhimruefullyandfaintly,butreassuringly,asiftotellhim,inthatway,thatsheknewhehadnotmeanttohurther.Andthatsmileofhers,solamentable,butsofaithfullyfriendly,mistedhisowneyes,forhisshamefacednessloweredthemnomore.

"Letmetellyouwhatyouwanttotellme,"shesaid."Youcan't,becauseyoucan'tputitintowords--theyaretoohumiliatingformeandyou'retoogentletosaythem.Tellme,though,isn'tittrue?Youdidn'tbelievethatI'dtriedtomakeyoufallinlovewithme--"

"Never!Neverforaninstant!"

"Youdidn'tbelieveI'dtriedtomakeyouwanttomarryme--"

"No,no,no!"

"Ibelieveit,Bibbs.YouthoughtthatIwasfondofyou;youknewIcaredforyou--butyoudidn'tthinkImightbe--inlovewithyou.ButyouthoughtthatImightmarryyouwithoutbeinginlovewithyoubecauseyoudidbelieveIhadtriedtomarryyourbrother,and--"

"Mary,Ionlyknew--forthefirsttime--thatyou--thatyouwere--"

"Weredesperatelypoor,"shesaid."Youcan'tevensaythat!Bibbs,itwastrue:IdidtrytomakeJimwanttomarryme.Idid!"Andshesankdownintothechair,weepingbitterlyagain.Bibbswasagonized.

"Mary,"hegroaned,"Ididn'tknowyouCOULDcry!"

"Listen,"shesaid."ListentillIgetthrough--Iwantyoutounderstand.Wewerepoor,andweweren'tfittedtobe.Weneverhadbeen,andwedidn'tknowwhattodo.We'dbeenalmostrich;therewasplenty,butmyfatherwantedtotakeadvantageofthegrowthofthetown;hewantedtobericher,butinstead--well,justaboutthetimeyourfatherfinishedbuildingnextdoorwe

foundwehadn'tanything.Peoplesaythat,sometimes,meaningthattheyhaven'tanythingincomparisonwithotherpeopleoftheirownkind,butwereallyhadn'tanything--wehadn'tanythingatall,Bibbs!Andwecouldn'tDOanything.YoumightwonderwhyIdidn't'trytobeastenographer'--andIwondermyselfwhy,whenafamilylosesitsmoney,peoplealwayssaythedaughters'oughttogoandbestenographers.'It'scurious!--asifawaveofthehandmadeyouintoastenographer.No,I'dbeenraisedtobeeithermarriedcomfortablyorawell-to-dooldmaid,ifIchosenottomarry.Thepovertycameonslowly,Bibbs,butatlastitwasallthere--andIdidn'tknowhowtobeastenographer.Ididn'tknowhowtobeanythingexceptawell-to-dooldmaidorsomebody'swife--andIcouldn'tbeawell-to-dooldmaid.Then,Bibbs,IdidwhatI'd

beenraisedtoknowhowtodo.Iwentouttobefascinatingandbemarried.Ididitopenly,atleast,andwithakindofdecenthonesty.ItoldyourbrotherIhadmeanttofascinatehimandthatIwasnotinlovewithhim,butIlethimthinkthatperhapsImeanttomarryhim.IthinkIdidmeantomarryhim.Ihadnevercaredforanybody,andIthoughtitmightbetherereallyWASN'Tanythingmorethanakindofexcitedfondness.Ican'tbesure,butIthinkthatthoughIdidmeantomarryhimInevershouldhavedoneit,becausethatsortofamarriageis--it'ssacrilege--somethingwouldhavestoppedme.Somethingdidstopme;itwasyoursister-in-law,



Sibyl.Shemeantnoharm--butshewashorrible,andsheputwhatIwasdoingintosuchhorriblewords--andtheywerethetruth--oh!ISAWmyself!Shewasproposingamiserablecompactwithme--andIcouldn'tbreathetheairofthesameroomwithher,thoughI'dsocheapenedmyselfshehadarighttoassumethatIWOULD.ButIcouldn't!Ilefther,andIwrotetoyourbrother--justaquickscrawl.ItoldhimjustwhatI'ddone;Iaskedhispardon,andIsaidIwouldnotmarryhim.Ipostedtheletter,buthenevergotit.Thatwastheafternoonhewaskilled.That'sall,Bibbs.NowyouknowwhatIdid--andyouknow--ME!"Shepressedherclenchedhandstightlyagainsthereyes,leaningfarforward,herheadbowedbeforehim.

Bibbshadforgottenhimselflongago;hisheartbrokeforher."Couldn'tyou--Isn'tthere--Won'tyou--"hestammered."Mary,I'mgoingwithfather.Isn'ttheresomewayyoucouldusethemoneywithout--without--"

Shegaveachokedlittlelaugh.

"Yougavemesomethingtolivefor,"hesaid."Youkeptmealive,Ithink--andI'vehurtyoulikethis!"

"Notyou--ohno!"

"Youcouldforgiveme,Mary?"

"Oh,athousandtimes!"Herrighthandwentoutinafalteringgesture,andjusttouchedhisownforaninstant."Butthere'snothingtoforgive."

"Andyoucan't--youcan't--"

"Can'twhat,Bibbs?"

"Youcouldn't--"

"Marryyou?"shesaidforhim.

"Yes."

"No,no,no!"Shesprangup,facinghim,and,withoutknowingwhatshedid,shesetherhandsuponhisbreast,pushinghimbackfromheralittle."Ican't,Ican't!Don'tyouSEE?"

"Mary--"

"No,no!Andyoumustgonow,Bibbs;Ican'tbearanymore--please--"

"MARY--"

"Never,never,never!"shecried,inapassionoftears."Youmustn'tcomeanymore.Ican'tseeyou,dear!Never,never,never!"

Somehow,inhelpless,stumblingobediencetoherbeseechinggesture,hegothimselftothedoorandoutofthehouse.



SibylandRoscoewereuponthepointofleavingwhenBibbsreturnedtotheNewHouse.HewentstraighttoSibylandspoketoherquietly,butsothattheothersmighthear.

"WhenyousaidthatifI'dstoptothink,I'drealizethatnoonewouldbeapttocareenoughaboutmetomarryme,youwereright,"hesaid."Ithoughtperhapsyouweren't,andsoIaskedMissVertreestomarryme.Itprovedwhatyousaidofme,anddisprovedwhatyousaidofher.Sherefused."

And,havingthusspoken,hequittedtheroomasstraightforwardlyashehadenteredit.

"He'sSOqueer!"Mrs.Sheridangasped."Whoonearthwouldthoughtofhisdoin'THAT?"

"Itoldyou,"saidherhusband,grimly.

"Youdidn'ttellushe'dgooverthereand--"

"Itoldyoushewouldn'thavehim.Itoldyoushewouldn'thaveJIM,didn'tI?"

Sibylwasaltogethertakenaback."Doyousuposeit'strue?Doyou

supposesheWOULDN'T?"

"Hedidn'tlookexactlylikeayoungmanthathadjustgotthingsfixedupfinewithhisgirl,"saidSheridan."Nottome,hedidn't!"

"Butwhywould--"

"Itoldyou,"heinterrupted,angrily,"sheain'tthatkindofagirl!Ifyougottohaveproof,well,I'lltellyouandgetitoverwith,thoughI'dprettynearjustassoonnothavetotalkawholelotaboutmydeadboy'sprivateaffairs.ShewrotetoJimshecouldn'ttakehim,anditwasagood,straightletter,too.ItcametoJim'soffice;heneversawit.Shewroteittheafternoon

hewashurt."

"IrememberIsawherputaletterinthemail-boxthatafternoon,"saidRoscoe."Don'tyouremember,Sibyl?Itoldyouaboutit--Iwaswaitingforyouwhileyouwereintheresolongtalkingtohermother.Itwasjustbeforewesawthatsomethingwaswrongoverhere,andEdithcameandcalledme."

Sibylshookherhead,butsheremembered.Andshewasnotcastdown,for,althoughsomeremnantsofperplexitywereleftinhereyes,theyweredimmedbyanincreasingglowoftriumph;andshedeparted--aftersomefurtherfragmentarydiscourse--visiblyelated.Afterall,theguiltyhadnotbeenexalted;andsheperceivedvaguely,butnonethe

lesssurely,thatherinjuryhadbeencopiouslyavenged.Shebestowedacontentedglanceupontheoldhousewiththecupola,assheandRoscoecrossedthestreet.

Whentheyhadgone,Mrs.Sheridanindulgedinreverie,butafterawhileshesaid,uneasily,"Papa,youthinkitwouldbeanyusetotellBibbsaboutthatletter?"

"Idon'tknow,"heanswered,walkingmoodilytothewindow."Ibeenthinkin'aboutit."Hecametoadecision."IreckonIwill."And



hewentuptoBibbs'sroom.

"Well,yougoin'backonwhatyousaid?"heinquired,brusquely,asheopenedthedoor."Yougoin'totakeitbackandlaydownonmeagain?"

"No,"saidBibbs.

"Well,perhapsIdidn'thaveanycalltoaccuseyouofthat.Idon'tknowasyoueverdidgobackonanythingyousaid,exactly,thoughtheLordknowsyou'velaiddownonmeenough.Youcertainlyhave!"Sheridanwasbaffled.Thiswasnotwhathewishedtosay,buthiswordswereunmanageable;hefoundhimselfunabletocontrolthem,andhisquerulousabusewentoninspiteofhim."Ican'tsayIexpectmuchofyou--notfromthewayyoualwaysbeen,uptonow--unlessyouturnoveranewleaf,andIdon'tseeanyencouragementtothinkyou'regoin'todoTHAT!Ifyougodownthereandshowasparko'realGIT-up,Ireckonthewholeoffice'llfallinafaint.Butifyou'reevergoin'toshowany,youbetterbeginrightatthebeginningandbegintoshowitto-morrow."

"Yes--I'lltry."

"Youbetter,ifit'sinyou!"Sheridanwassheerlynonplussed.He

hadalwaysbeenabletosaywhateverhewishedtosay,buthistongueseemedbewitched.HehadcometotellBibbsaboutMary'sletter,andtohisownangryastonishmenthefounditimpossibletodoanythingexcepttoscoldlikeadrudge-driver."Youbettercomedowntherewithyourmindmadeuptohustleharderthanthehardestworkin'-manthat'sunderyou,oryou'llnotgetonverygoodwithme,Itellyou!Thewaytogetahead--andyoubettersetitdowninyourbooks--thewaytogetaheadistodotentimestheworkofthehardestworkerthatworksFORyou.Butyoudon'tknowwhatworkis,yet.Allyou'veeverdonewasjuststandaroundandfeedamachineachildcouldhandle,andthencomehomeandtakeabathandgocallin'.Itellyouyou'reupagainstamightydifferentpropositionnow,andifyou'reworthyoursalt--andyounevershowedanysignsofit

yet--notanysignsthatstuckoutenoughtobangsomebodyontheheadandmake'emsitupandtakenotice--well,Iwanttosay,righthereandnow--andyoubetterlisten,becauseIwanttosayjustwhatIDOsay.Isay--"

Hemeanderedtoafullstop.Hismouthhungopen,andhismindwasahopelessblank.

Bibbslookeduppatiently--anold,oldlook."Yes,father;I'mlistening."

"That'sall,"saidSheridan,frowningheavily."That'sallIcametosay,andyoubettersee'tyourememberit!"

Heshookhisheadwarningly,andwentout,closingthedoorbehindhimwithacrash.However,nosoundoffootstepsindicatedhisdeparture.Hestoppedjustoutsidethedoor,andstoodthereaminuteormore.Thenabruptlyheturnedtheknobandexhibitedtohissonaforeheadliberallycoveredwithperspiration.

"Lookhere,"hesaid,crossly."ThatgirloveryonderwroteJimaletter--"



"Iknow,"saidBibbs."Shetoldme."

"Well,Ithoughtyouneedn'tfeelsomuchupsetaboutit--"Thedoorclosedonhisvoiceashewithdrew,buttheconclusionofthesentencewasneverthelessaudible--"ifyouknewshewouldn'thaveJim,either."

Andhestampedhiswaydown-stairstotellhiswifetoquitherfrettin'andnotbotherhimwithanymorefool'serrands.ShewasabouttoinquirewhatBibbs"said,"butafterasecondthoughtshedecidednottospeakatall.Shemerelymurmuredawordlessassent,andverbalcommunicationwasgivenoverbetweenthemfortherestofthatafternoon.

BibbsandhisfatherweregonewhenMrs.Sheridanwoke,thenextmorning,andshehadadrearyday.ShemissedEdithwoefully,andsheworriedaboutwhatmightbetakingplaceintheSheridanBuilding.ShefeltthateverythingdependedonhowBibbs"tookhold,"anduponherhusband'sreturnintheeveningsheseizeduponthefirstopportunitytoaskhimhowthingshadgone.Hewasnon-committal.Whatcouldanybodytellbythefirstday?He'dseenplentygoatthingswellenoughrightatthestartandthenblowup.Prettynearanybodycouldshowupfairthefirstdayorso.Therewasabigjobahead.Thismaterial,suchasitwas--Bibbs,infact--hadtobe

brokenintohandlingtheworkRoscoehaddone;andthen,atleastasanoverseer,hemusttakeJim'spositionintheRealtyCompanyaswell.Hetoldhertoaskhimagaininamonth.

ButduringthecourseofdinnershegatheredfromsomedisjointedremarksofhisthatheandBibbshadlunchedtogetheratthesmallrestaurantwhereithadbeenSheridan'scustomtolunchwithJim,andshetookthistobeanencouragingsign.Bibbswenttohisroomassoonastheyleftthetable,andherhusbandwasnotcommunicativeafterreadinghispaper.

ShebecameananxiousspectatorofBibbs'sprogressasamanofbusiness,althoughitwasaprogressshecouldglimpsebutdimlyand

onlyintheevening,throughhisremarksandhisfather'satdinner.UsuallyBibbswassilent,exceptwhendirectlyaddressed,butonthefirsteveningofthethirdweekofhisnewcareerheofferedanopinionwhichhadapparentlybeenthesubjectofpreviousargument.

"I'dlikeyoutounderstandjustwhatImeantaboutthosestorage-rooms,father,"hesaid,asJacksonplacedhiscoffeebeforehim."Abercrombieagreedwithme,butyouwouldn'tlistentohim."

"Youcantalk,ifyouwantto,andI'lllisten,"Sheridanreturned,"butyoucan'tshowmethatJimevertookupwithabadthing.Therooffellbecauseithadn'thadtimetosettleandonaccountofweatherconditions.IwantthatbuildingputjustthewayJim

plannedit."

"Youcan'thaveit,"saidBibbs."Youcan't,becauseJimplannedforthebuildingtostandup,anditwon'tdoit.Theotherone--theonethatdidn'tfall--issoshotwithcrackswehaven'tdareduseitforstorage.Itwon'tstandweight.There'sonlyonethingtodo:getbothbuildingsdownasquicklyaswecan,andbuildover.Brick'sthebestandcheapestinthelongrunforthattype."

Sheridanlookedsarcastic."Fine!Whatwegoin'todoforstorage-



roomswhilewe'rewaitin'forthosefewbrickstobelaid?"

"Rent,"Bibbsreturned,promptly."We'lllosemoneyifwedon'trent,anyhow--theywerewaitingsolongforyoutogivethewarehousematteryourattentionaftertherooffell.Youdon'tknowwhatanamountofstuffthey'vegotpileduponusoverthere.We'dhavetorentuntilwecouldpatchupthoseprocessperils--andtheKrivitchManufacturingCompany'splantisempty,rightacrossthestreet.Itookanoptiononitforusthismorning."

Sheridan'sexpressionwasqueer."Lookhere!"hesaid,sharply."Didyougoanddothatwithoutconsultingme?"

"Itdidn'tcostanything,"saidBibbs."It'sonlyuntilto-morrowafternoonattwoo'clock.Iundertooktoconvinceyoubeforethen."

"Oh,youdid?"Sheridan'stonewassardonic."Well,justsupposeyoucouldn'tconvinceme."

"Ican,though--andIintendto,"saidBibbs,quietly."Idon'tthinkyouunderstandtheconditionofthosebuildingsyouwantpatchedup."

"Now,seehere,"saidSheridan,withslowemphasis;"supposeIhad

mymindsetaboutthis.JIMthoughtthey'dstand,andsupposeitwas--well,kindofamatterofsentimentwithmetoprovehewasright."

Bibbslookedathimcompassionately."I'msorryifyouhaveasentimentaboutit,father,"hesaid."Butwhetheryouhaveornotcan'tmakeadifference.You'llgetotherpeoplehurtifyoutrustthatprocess,andthatwon'tdo.AndifyouwantamonumenttoJim,atleastyouwantonethatwillstand.Besides,Idon'tthinkyoucanreasonablydefendsentimentinthisparticularkindofaffair."

"Oh,youdon't?"

"No,butI'msorryyoudidn'ttellmeyoufeltit."

Sheridanwaspuzzledbyhisson'stone."Whyareyou'sorry'?"heasked,curiously.

"BecauseIhadthebuildinginspectorupthere,thisnoon,"saidBibbs,"andIhadhimcondemnboththosebuildings."

"What?"

"He'dbeenafraidtodoitbefore,untilheheardfromus--afraidyou'dseehelosthisjob.Buthecan'tun-condemnthem--they'vegottocomedownnow."

Sheridangavehimalongandpiercingstarefrombeneathloweredbrows.Finallyhesaid,"Howlongdidtheygiveyouonthatoptiontoconvinceme?"

"Untiltwoo'clockto-morrowafternoon."

"Allright,"saidSheridan,notrelaxing."I'mconvinced."

Bibbsjumpedup."Ithoughtyouwouldbe.I'lltelephonethe



Krivitchagent.Hegavemetheoptionuntilto-morrow,butItoldhimI'dsettleitthisevening."

Sheridangazedafterhimashelefttheroom,andthen,thoughhisexpressiondidnotalterintheslightest,asoundcamefromhimthatstartledhiswife.Ithadbeenalongtimesinceshehadheardanythingresemblingachucklefromhim,andthissound--althoughitwasgrimanddry--borethatresemblance.

Shebrightenedeagerly."Lookslikehewasstartin'rightwelldon'tit,papa?"

"Startin'?Lord!Hegotmeonthehip!Why,HEknewwhatIwanted--that'swhyhehadtheinspectorupthere,so'the'dhavemebeatbeforeweevenstartedtotalkaboutit.Anddidyouhearhim?'Can'treasonablydefendSENTIMENT!'Andthewayhesays'Us':'TookanoptionforUs'!'StuffpileduponUs'!"

TherewasalwaysanalloyforMrs.sheridan."Idon'tjustlikethewayhelooks,though,papa."

"Oh,there'sgottobesomething!Onlyonechickleftathome,soyoustarttofrettin'aboutIT!"

"No.He'schanged.There'skindofasettishlooktohisface,and--"

"Iguessthat'sthecommonsensecomin'outonhim,then,"saidSheridan."You'llseesymptomslikethatinagoodmanybusinessmen,Iexpect."

"Well,andhedon'thaveasgoodcolorashewasgettin'before.Andhe'dbeguntofilloutsome,but--"

Sheridangaveforthanotherdrychuckle,and,goingroundthetabletoher,pattedherupontheshoulderwithhislefthand,hisrightbeingstillheavilybandaged,thoughhenolongerworeasling.

"That'sthewayitiswithyou,mamma--gottotakeyourfrettin'outonewayifyoudon'tanother!"

"No.Hedon'tlookwell.Itain'texactlythewayhelookedwhenhebeguntogetsickthattime,buthekindo'seemstobelosin',someway."

"Yes,hemay'a'lostsomething,"saidSheridan."Iexpecthe'slostawholeloto'foolishnessbesideshisGod-forsakennotionsaboutwritin'poetryand--"

"No,"hiswifepersisted."Imeanhelooksrightpeakid.Andyesterday,whenhewassettin'withus,hekeptlookin'outthe

window.Hewasn'treadin'."

"Well,whyshouldn'thelookoutthewindow?"

"Hewaslookin'overthere.Heneverreadawordallafternoon,Idon'tbelieve."

"Look,here!"saidSheridan."Bibbsmight'a'keptgoin'onovertheretherestofhislife,moonin'onandon,butwhatheheardSibylsaydidonebigthing,anyway.Itwokehimupoutofhistrance.



Well,hehadtogoandbustcleanoutwithabang;andthatstoppedhisgoin'overthere,anditstoppedhispoetry,butIreckonhe'sbeguntogetprettyfairpayforwhathelost.Iguessagoodmanyyoungmenhavehadtogetoverworrieslikehis;theygottoloseSOMETHINGifthey'regoin'tokeepaheado'theprocessionnowadays--anditkindo'lookstome,mamma,likeBibbsmightkeepquiteaconsiderablelongwayahead.Why,ayearfromnowI'llbetyouhewon'tknowthereeverWASsuchathingaspoetry!Andain'thefunny?Hewantedtosticktotheshopso'shecould'think'!Whathemeantwas,thinkaboutsomethinguseless.Well,Iguesshe'skeepin'hismindprettyoccupiedtheotherwaythesedays.Yes,sir,ittookaprettyfair-sizedshocktogethimoutofhistrance,butitcertainlydidthebusiness."Hepattedhiswife'sshoulderagain,andthen,withoutanyprefatorysymptoms,brokeintoaboisterouslaugh.

"Honest,mamma,heworkslikeagorilla!"

AndsoBibbssatintheporchofthetemplewiththemoney-changers.Butnoonecametoscourgehimforth,forthiswasthetempleofBigness,andthechangingofmoneywasholyworshipandtruereligion.Thepriestsworethat"settish"lookBibbs'smotherhadseenbeginningtodevelopabouthismouthandeyes--awarylookwhichshecouldnotdefine,butitcomeswithserviceatthetemple;anditwasthemore

markeduponBibbsforhissharpawakeningtothenecessitiesofthatservice.

Hedidaslittle"useless"thinkingaspossible,givinghimselfnotimeforit.Heworkedcontinuously,keepinghisthoughtsstillonhisworkwhenhecamehomeatnight;andhetalkedofnothingwhateverexcepthiswork.Buthedidnotsingatit.Hewasofteninthestreets,andpeoplewerenotallowedtosinginthestreets.Theymightmakeanymannerofhideousuproar--theycouldshakebuildings;theycouldout-thunderthethunder,deafenthedeaf,andkillthesickwithnoise;ortheycouldwalkthestreetsordrivethroughthembawling,squawking,orscreeching,astheychose,ifthenoisewastraceablyconnectedwithbusiness;thoughstreetmusicianswerenot

tolerated,beingconsideredanuisanceandaninterference.Amanorwomanwhowentsingingforpleasurethroughthestreets--likeacrazyNeopolitan--wouldhavebeenstopped,andbelikelockedup;forFreedomdoesnotmeanthatacitizenisallowedtodoeveryoutrageousthingthatcomesintohishead.Thestreetsweredangerousenough,inallconscience,withoutanysinging!andtheMotorFederationissuedpublicwarningsdeclaringthatthepedestrian'slifewasinhisownhands,andgivingdirectionshowtoproceedwiththeleastperil.However,BibbsSheridanhadnodesiretosinginthestreets,oranywhere.Hehadgonetohisworkwithanenergythat,forthestart,atleast,wasbitter,andtherewasnosongleftinhim.

Hebegantoknowhisactivefellow-citizens.Hereandthereamong

themhefoundaleisurely,kindsoul,arelicoftheoldperiodofneighborliness,"pioneerstock,"usually;andthereweremen--particularlyamongthemerchantsandmanufacturers--"sohonesttheyleanedbackward";reputationssometimesattestedbystoriesofheroicsacrificestohonor;norweretherelackingsomeinstancesofgenerosityevennobler.Hereandthere,too,werebook-men,intheirlittleleisure;and,amongtheGermans,music-men.Andthese,withtheothers,worshipedBignessandthegrowth,eachmanservingforhisownsakeandforwhathecouldgetoutofit,butallunitedintheirfaithinthebeneficenceandgloryoftheirgod.



Toalmostallalikethatservicestoodasthemostimportantthinginlife,exceptonoccasionofsomesuchvital,briefinterregnumasthedangerousillnessofawifeorchild.Inthewayof"relaxation"someoftheserverstookgolf;sometookfishing;sometook"shows"--amixtureofinfantileandnegroidhumor,stockings,andtinmusic;sometookanoccasionaldebauch;sometooktrips;sometookcards;andsometooknothing.Thehighpriestswerevigilanttowatchthatno"relaxation"shouldaffecttheservice.Whenamanattendedtoanythingoutsidehisbusiness,eyeswereuponhim;hiscreditwasindanger--thatis,hislifewasindanger.Andtheoldpriestswereasardentastheyoungones;themillionwasaseagertobebiggerasthethousand;seventywasasbusyasseventeen.Theystrovemightilyagainstoneanother,andtheoldpriestswerethemostwary,themostplausible,andthemostdangerous.Bibbslearnedhemustwalkcharilyamongthese--hemustwearathousandeyesandbewareofspidersindeed!

Andoutsidethetempleitselfwerethepretenders,theswarmingthievesandsharpersandfleecers,theslyrascalsandtheopenrascals;butthesewerefeeblefolk,notdangerousonceheknewthem,andhehadagoodguidetopointthemouttohim.Theywereusefulsometimes,helearned,andmanyofthemservedasgo-betweensinmatterswherebusinessmusttouchpolitics.Helearnedalsohow

breweriesand"traction"companiesandbanksandotherinstitutionsfoughtoneanotherforthepoliticalcontrolofthecity.Thenewspapers,hediscovered,hadlosttheirancientpoliticalinfluence,especiallywiththeknowing,wholookeduponthemwithaskepticalhumor,believingthejournalseithertoberetainedpartisans,likelawyers,orelsestrivingtoforwardthepersonalambitionsoftheirowners.Thecontrolofthecitylaynotwiththem,butwasusuallyobtainedbygivingthehordesofnegroesgin-money,andbyotherlargesses.Therevenuesofthepeoplewerethendistributedasfairlyaspossibleamongagreatnumberofmenwhohadassistedthewinningside.Namesandtitlesofofficeswentwithmanyoftheprizes,andmostofthesetitle-holderswereexpectedtopresentabusyappearanceattimes;and,indeed,someamongthemdidworkhonestlyand

faithfully.

Bibbshadbeenveryignorant.Allthesesimplethings,sowellknownandcustomary,astonishedhimatfirst,andonce--inabriefmomentofforgettingthathewasdonewithwriting--hethoughtthatifhehadknownthemandwrittenofthem,howlikeasatiretheplainestrelationofthemmusthaveseemed!Strangestofalltohimwasthevehementandsincerepatriotism.Oneverysideheheardit--itwasapermeation;thenewestschool-childcaughtit,thoughjustfromHungaryandlearningtostammerafewwordsofthelocallanguage.Everywherethepeopleshoutedofthepower,thesize,theriches,andthegrowthoftheircity.Notonlythat,theysaidthatthepeopleoftheircitywerethegreatest,the"finest,"thestrongest,

theBiggestpeopleonearth.Theycitednoauthorities,andfelttheneedofnone,beingthemselvesthepeoplethuscelebrated.Andifthethingwasquestioned,orifitwashintedthattheremightbeonesmallvirtueinwhichtheywerenotperfectandsupreme,theywastednotimeexaminingthemselvestoseeifwhatthecriticsaidwastrue,butfelluponhimandhootedhimandcursedhim,fortheyweresensitive.SoBibbs,learningtheirwaysandwalkingwiththem,harkenedtothevoiceofthepeopleandservedBignesswiththem.Forthevoiceofthepeopleisthevoiceoftheirgod.



SheridanhadmadetheroomnexttohisownintoanofficeforBibbs,andthedoorbetweenthetworoomsusuallystoodopen--thefatherhadestablishedthatintimacy.OnemorninginFebruary,whenBibbswasalone,Sheridancamein,somesheetsoftypewrittenmemorandainhishand.

"Bibbs,"hesaid,"Idon'tliketobuttinveryoftenthisway,andwhenIdoIusuallywishIhadn't--butforHeaven'ssakewhathaveyoubeenbuyingthatolebustedinter-tractionstockfor?"

Bibbsleanedbackfromhisdesk."Forelevenhundredandfifty-fivedollars.That'sallitcost."

"Well,itain'tworthelevenhundredandfifty-fivecents.Yououghttoknowthat.Idon'tgetyouridea.Thatstuff'sdeader'nAdam'scat!"

"Itmightbeworthsomething--someday."

"How?"

"Itmightn'tbesodead--notifwewentintoit,"saidBibbs,coolly.

"Oh!"Sheridanconsideredthismusingly;thenhesaid,"Who'dyou

buyitfrom?"

"Abroker--Fansmith."

"Well,hemust'a'gotitfromoneo'thecrowdo'poorninniesthatwassoakedwithit.Don'tyouknowwhoownedit?"

"Yes,Ido."

"Ain'tsayin',though?Thatit?What'sthematter?"

"ItbelongedtoMr.Vertrees,"saidBibbs,shortly,applyinghimselftohisdesk.

"So!"Sheridangazeddownathisson'sthinface."Excuseme,"hesaid."Yourbusiness."Andhewentbacktohisownroom.Butpresentlyhelookedinagain.

"Ireckonyouwon'tmindlunchin'aloneto-day"--hewasshufflinghimselfintohisovercoat--"becauseIjustthoughtI'dgouptothehouseandgetTHISoverwithmamma."Heglancedapologeticallytowardhisrighthandasitemergedfromthesleeveoftheovercoat.Thebandageshadbeenremoved,finally,thatmorning,revealingbutthreefingers--theforefingerandthefingernexttoithadbeenamputated."She'sboundtomakeanawfulfuss,andbettertospoilherlunchthanherdinner.I'llbebackabouttwo."

ButhecalculatedthetimeofhisarrivalattheNewHousesoaccuratelythatMrs.Sheridan'slunchwasnotdisturbed,andshewasrisingfromthelonelytablewhenhecameintothedining-room.Hehadlefthisovercoatinthehall,buthekepthishandsinhistrouserspockets.

"What'sthematter,papa?"sheasked,quickly."Hasanythinggonewrong?Youain'tsick?"



"Me!"Helaughedloudly."MeSICK?"

"Youhadlunch?"

"Didn'twantanyto-day.Youcangivemeacupo'coffee,though."

Sherang,andtoldGeorgetohavecoffeemade,andwhenhehadwithdrawnshesaidquerulously,"Ijustknowthere'ssomethingwrong."

"Nothin'intheworld,"heresponded,heartily,takingaseatattheheadofthetable."IthoughtI'dtalkoveranotiono'minewithyou,that'sall.It'smorewomen-folks'businessthanwhatitisman's,anyhow."

"Whatabout?"

"Why,oleDocGurneywasupattheofficethismorningawhile--"

"Tolookatyourhand?How'shesayit'sdoin'?"

"Fine!Well,hewentinandsataroundwithBibbsawhile--"

Mrs.Sheridannoddedpessimistically."Iguessit'stimeyouhad

him,too.IKNEWBibbs--"

"Now,mamma,holdyourhorses!IwantedhimtolookBibbsoverBEFOREanything'sthematter.Youdon'tsupposeI'mgoin'totakeanychanceswithBIBBS,doyou?Well,afterwards,Ishutthedoor,andIan'oleGurneyhadatalk.He'samightydisagreeableman;herubbeditinonmewhathesaidaboutBibbshavin'brainsifheeverwokeup.ThenIthoughthemustwanttogetsomethingouto'me,hegosoflattering--foraminute!'Bibbscouldn'thelphavin'businessbrains,'hesays,'bein'YOURson.Don'tbesurprised,'hesays--'don'tbesurprisedathismakin'asuccess,'hesays.'Hecouldn'tgetoverhisheredity;hecouldn'tHELPbein'abusinesssuccess--onceyougothimintoit.It'sinhisblood.Yes,sir'

hesays,'itdoesn'tneedMUCHbrains,'hesays,'anonlythird-ratebrains,atthat,'hesays,'butitdoesneedaspecialKINDo'brains,'hesays,'tobeamillionaire.Imean,'hesays,'whenaman'sgivenastart.Ifnobodygiveshimastart,why,coursehe'sgottohaveluckANDtherightkindo'brains.TheonlymiracleaboutBibbs,'hesays,'iswherehegottheOTHERkindo'brains--thebrainsyoumadehimquitusin'andthrowaway.'"

"Butwhat'dhesayabouthishealth?"Mrs.Sheridandemanded,impatiently,asGeorgeplacedacupofcoffeebeforeherhusband.Sheridanhelpedhimselftocreamandsugar,andbegantosipthecoffee.

"I'mcomin'tothat,"hereturned,placidly."SeehoweasyImanagethiscupwithmylefthand,mamma?"

"Youbeendoin'thatallwinter.Whatdid--"

"It'swonderful,"heinterrupted,admiringly,"whatafellowcandowithhislefthand.Icansignmynamewithminenow,well'sIevercouldwithmyright.Itcamealittlehardatfirst,butnow,honest,IbelieveIRATHERsignwithmyleft.That'sallIeverhavetowrite,anyway--justthesignature.Rest'salldictatin'."Heblewacross



thetopofthecupunctuously."Goodcoffee,mamma!Well,aboutBibbs.OleGurneysayshebelievesifBibbscouldsomehowgetbacktothestateo'mindhewasinaboutthemachine-shop--thatis,ifhecouldsomewaygettofeelin'aboutbusinessthewayhefeltabouttheshop--notthepoetryandwritin'part,but--"Hepaused,supplementinghisremarkswithamotionofhisheadtowardtheoldhousenextdoor."HesaysBibbsisolderandharder'nwhathewaswhenhebrokedownthattime,andbesides,heain'tthekindo'dreamywayhewasthen--andIshouldsayheAIN'T!I'dlike'emtoshowMEanybodyhisagethat'sanywiderawake!ButhesaysBibbs'shealthneverneedbotherusagainif--"

Mrs.Sheridanshookherhead."Idon'tseeanyhelpTHATway.Youknowyourselfshewouldn'thaveJim."

"Who'stalkin'aboutherhavin'anybody?But,myLord!shemightlethimLOOKather!Sheneedn't'a'gotsomad,justbecauseheaskedher,thatshewon'tlethimcomeinthehouseanymore.He'samightyfunnyboy,andsomewaysIreckonhe'sprettynearashardtounderstandastheBible,butGurneykindo'gotmeinthewayo'thinkin'thatifshe'dlethimcomebackandsetaroundwithheraneveningortwosometimes--notreg'lar,Idon'tmean--why--Well,IjustthoughtI'dseewhatYOU'Dthinkofit.Thereain'tanywaytotalkaboutittoBibbshimself--Idon'tsupposehe'dletyou,anyhow--but

Ithoughtmaybeyoucouldkindo'slipovertheresomeday,andsorto'fixuptohavealittletalkwithher,andkindo'hintaroundtillyouseehowthelandlays,andaskher--"

"ME!"Mrs.Sheridanlookedbothhelplessandfrightened."No."Sheshookherheaddecidedly."Itwouldn'tdoanygood."

"Youwon'ttryit?"

"Iwon'triskherturnin'meouto'thehouse.Someway,that'swhatIbelieveshedidtoSibyl,fromwhatRoscoesaidonce.No,ICAN'T--and,what'smore,it'donlymakethingsworse.Ifpeoplefindoutyou'rerunnin'after'emtheythinkyou'recheap,andthentheywon't

doasmuchforyouasifyoulet'emalone.Idon'tbelieveit'sanyuse,andIcouldn'tdoitifitwas."

Hesighedwithresignation."Allright,mamma.That'sall."Then,inaliveliertone,hesaid:"OleGurneytookthebandagesoffmyhandthismorning.Allhealedup.SaysIdon'tneed'emanymore."

"Why,that'ssplendid,papa!"shecried,beaming."Iwasafraid--Let'ssee."

Shecametowardhim,butherose,stillkeepinghishandinhispocket."Waitaminute,"hesaid,smiling."Nowitmaygiveyoujustateenybitofashock,butthefactis--well,yourememberthat

SundaywhenSibylcameoverhereandmadeallthatfussaboutnothin'--itwasthedayafterIgottiredo'thatstatuewhenEdith'stelegramcame--"

"Letmeseeyourhand!"shecried.

"Nowwait!"hesaid,laughingandpushingherawaywithhislefthand."Thetruthis,mamma,thatIkindo'slippedoutonyouthatmorning,whenyouwasn'tlookin',andwentdowntooleGurney'soffice--he'dtoldmeto,yousee--and,well,itdoesn'tAMOUNTtoanything."And



heheldout,forherinspection,themutilatedhand."Yousee,thesedayswhenit'salldictatin',anyhow,nobody'dmindjustacoupleo'--"

Hehadtojumpforher--shewentoverbackward.ForthesecondtimeinherlifeMrs.Sheridanfainted.

Itwasafullhourlaterwhenheleftherlyinguponacouchinherownroom,stilllamentingintermittently,thoughheassuredherwithheatthatthe"fuss"shewasmakingirkedhimfarmorethanhisphysicalloss.Hepermittedhertothinkthathemeanttoreturndirectlytohisoffice,butwhenhecameouttotheopenairhetoldthechauffeurinattendancetoawaithiminfrontofMr.Vertrees'shouse,whitherhehimselfproceededonfoot.

Mr.Vertreeshadtakenthesaleofhalfofhisworthlessstockasmannainthewilderness;itcamefromheaven--bywhatagencyhedidnotparticularlyquestion.Thebrokerinformedhimthat"partieswereinterestedingettingholdofthestock,"andthatlatertheremightbeapossibleincreaseinthevalueofthelargeamountretainedbyhisclient.Itmightgo"quiteawaysup"withinayearorso,hesaid,andheadvised"sittingtight"withit.Mr.Vertreeswenthomeandprayed.

Herosefromhiskneesfeelingthathewassurelycomingintohisownagain.Itwasmorethanameregaspoftemporaryreliefwithhim,andhiswifesharedhisoptimism;butMarywouldnotlethimbuybackherpiano,andasforfurs--springwasontheway,shesaid.Buttheypaidthebutcher,thebaker,andthecandlestick-maker,andhiredacookoncemore.ItwasthisservitresswhoopenedthedoorforSheridanandpresentlyassuredhimthatMissVertreeswould"bedown."

Hewasnotthemantoconcealadmirationwhenhefeltit,andheflushedandbeamedasMarymadeherappearance,almostupontheheelsofthecook.Shehadalookofapprehensionforthefirstfractionofasecond,butitvanishedatthesightofhim,anditsplacewastaken

inhereyesbyasoftbrilliance,whilecolorrushedinhercheeks.

"Don'tbesurprised,"hesaid."Truthis,inawayit'ssortofonbusinessIlookedinhere.It'llonlytakeaminute,Iexpect."

"I'msorry,"saidMary."Ihopedyou'dcomebecausewe'reneighbors."

Hechuckled."Neighbors!Sometimespeopledon'tseesomucho'theirneighborsastheyusedto.Thatis,Ihearso--lately."

"You'llstaylongenoughtositdown,won'tyou?"

"IguessIcouldmanagethatmuch."Andtheysatdown,facingeach

otherandnotfarapart.

"Ofcourse,itcouldn'tbecalledbusiness,exactly,"hesaid,moregravely."Notatall,Iexpect.Butthere'ssomethingo'yoursitseemedtomeIoughttogiveyou,andIjustthoughtitwasbettertobringitmyselfandexplainhowIhappenedtohaveit.It'sthis--thisletteryouwrotemyboy."Heextendedthelettertohersolemnly,inhislefthand,andshetookitgentlyfromhim."Itwasinhismail,afterhewashurt.Youknewhenevergotit,Iexpect."



"Yes,"shesaid,inalowvoice.

Hesighed."I'mgladhedidn't.Not,"headded,quickly--"notbutwhatyoudidjustrighttosendit.Youdid.Youcouldn'tactedanyotherwaywhenitcamerightdownTOit.Thereain'tanyblamecomin'toyou--youwereabove-boardallthrough."

Marysaid,"Thankyou,"almostinawhisper,andwithherheadbowedlow.

"You'llhavetoexcusemeforreadin'it.Ihadtotakechargeofallhismailandeverything;Ididn'tknowthehandwritin',andIreaditall--onceIgotstarted."

"I'mgladyoudid."

"Well"--heleanedforwardasiftorise--"Iguessthat'saboutall.Ijustthoughtyououghttohaveit."

"Thankyouforbringingit."

Helookedatherhopefully,asifhethoughtandwishedthatshemighthavesomethingmoretosay.Butsheseemednottobeawareofthisglance,andsatwithhereyesfixedsorrowfullyuponthe

floor.

"Well,IexpectIbetterbegettin'backtotheoffice,"hesaid,risingdesperately."Itold--ItoldmypartnerI'dbebackattwoo'clock,andIguesshe'llthinkI'mapoorbusinessmanifhecatchesmebehindtime.Igottowalkthechalkamightystraightlinethesedays--withTHATfellowkeepin'tabsonme!"

Maryrosewithhim."I'vealwaysheardYOUweretheharddriver."

Heguffawedderisively."Me?I'mnothin'tothatpartnero'mine.Youcouldn'tguesstosaveyourlifehowhekeepsaftermetoholdupmyendo'thejob.Ishouldn'tbesurprisedhe'dgivemethegrand

bouncesomeday,andrunthewholecircusbyhimself.Youknowhowheis--oncehegoesATathing!"

"No,"shesmiled."Ididn'tknowyouhadapartner.I'dalwaysheard--"

Helaughed,lookingawayfromher."It'sjustmywayo'speakin'o'thatboyo'mine,Bibbs."

Hestoodthen,expectant,staringoutintothehallwithanairofcarelessgeniality.Hefeltthatshecertainlymustatleastsay,"HowISBibbs?"butshesaidnothingatall,thoughhewaiteduntilthesilencebecameembarrassing.

"Well,IguessIbetterbegettin'downthere,"hesaid,atlast."Hemightworry."

"Good-by--andthankyou,"saidMary.

"Forwhat?"

"Fortheletter."



"Oh,"hesaid,blankly."You'rewelcome.Good-by."

Maryputoutherhand."Good-by."

"You'llhavetoexcusemylefthand,"hesaid."Ihadalittleaccidenttotheotherone."

Shegaveapityingcryasshesaw."Oh,poorMr.Sheridan!"

"Nothin'atall!Dictateeverythingnowadays,anyhow."Helaughedjovially."Didanybodytellyouhowithappened?"

"Iheardyouhurtyourhand,butno--notjusthow."

"Itwasthisway,"hebegan,andboth,asifunconsciously,satdownagain."Youmaynotknowit,butIusedtoworryagooddealabouttheyoungesto'myboys--theonethatusedtocometoseeyousometimes,afterJim--thatis,ImeanBibbs.He'stheoneIspokeofasmypartner;andthetruthisthat'swhatit'sjustaboutgoin'toamountto,oneo'thesedays--ifhishealthholdsout.Well,youremember,Iexpect,Ihadhimonamachineoverataplanto'mine;andsometimesI'dkindo'sneakinthereandseehowhewasgettin'along.Takeadoctorwithmesometimes,becauseBibbsneverWASsorobust,youmightsay.OleDocGurney--Iguessmaybeyouknowhim?

Tall,thinman;actssleepy--"

"Yes."

"Well,onedayIan'oleDocGurney,wewereinthere,andIundertooktoshowBibbshowtorunhismachine.Hetoldmetolookout,butIwouldn'tlisten,andIdidn'tlookout--andthat'showIgotmyhandhurt,tryin'toshowBibbshowtodosomethingheknewhowtodoandIdidn't.MademesomadIjustwouldn'tevenadmittomyselfitWAShurt--andso,byandby,oleDocGurneyhadtotakekindo'radicalmeasureswithme.He'sarightgooddoctor,too.Don'tyouthinkso,MissVertrees?"

"Yes."

"Yes,heisso!"Sheridannowhadtheairofaramblingtalkerandgossipwithalldayonhishands."TakehimonBibbs'scase.Iwastalkin'aboutBibbs'scasewithhimthismorning.Well,you'dlaughtohearthewayoleGurneytalksaboutTHAT!'CourseheISjustasmuchafriendasheisdoctor--andhetakesasmuchinterestinBibbsasifhewasinthefamily.HesaysBibbsisn'tanywaysbadoffYET;andhethinkshecouldstandthepaceandgetfatonitif--well,thisiswhat'dmadeYOUlaughifyou'dbeenthere,MissVertrees--honestitwould!"Hepausedtochuckle,andstoleaglanceather.Shewasgazingstraightbeforeheratthewall;herlipswereparted,and--visibly--shewasbreathingheavilyandquickly.Hefearedthatshe

wasgrowingfuriouslyangry;buthehadledtowhathewantedtosay,andhewenton,determinednowtosayitall.Heleanedforwardandalteredhisvoicetooneofconfidentialfriendliness,thoughinithestillmaintainedatonewhichindicatedthatoleDocGurney'sopinionwasonlyajokehesharedwithher."Yes,sir,youcertainlywould'a'laughed!Why,thatolemanthinksYOUgotsomethingtodowithit.You'llhavetoblameitonhim,younglady,ifitmakesyoufeellikestartin'outtowhipsomebody!He'sactuallygotTHIStheory:hesaysBibbsgottogettin'betterwhileheworkedoverthereattheshopbecauseyoukepthimcheeredupandfeelin'good.Andhesaysif



youcouldmanagetojuststandhimhangin'aroundalittle--maybenotmuch,butjustSOMEtimes--again,hebelievedit'ddoBibbsamightyloto'good.'Course,that'sonlywhatthedoctorsaid.Me,Idon'tknowanythingaboutthat;butIcansaythismuch--IneversawanysuchaMENTALimprovementinanybodyinmylifeasIhavelatelyinBibbs.Iexpectyou'dfindhimagooddealmoreentertainingthanwhatheusedtobe--andIknowit'sakindofembarrassingthingtosuggestafterthewayhepiledinoverherethatdaytoaskyoutostandupbeforethepreacherwithhim,butaccordin'tooleDocGURNEY,he'sgotyouonhisbrainsobad--"

Maryjumped."Mr.Sheridan!"sheexclaimed.

Hesighedprofoundly."There!Inoticedyouweregettin'mad.Ididn't--"

"No,no,no!"shecried."ButIdon'tunderstand--andIthinkyoudon't.Whatisityouwantmetodo?"

Hesighedagain,butthistimewithrelief."Well,well!"hesaid."You'reright.It'llbeeasiertotalkplain.IoughttoknownIcouldwithyou,allthetime.Ijusthopedyou'dletthatboycomeandseeyousometimes,oncemore.Couldyou?"

"Youdon'tunderstand."Sheclaspedherhandstogetherinasorrowfulgesture."Yes,wemusttalkplain.BibbsheardthatI'dtriedtomakeyouroldestsoncareformebecauseIwaspoor,andsoBibbscameandaskedmetomarryhim--becausehewassorryforme.AndICAN'Tseehimanymore,"shecriedindistress."ICAN'T!"

Sheridanclearedhisthroatuncomfortably."Youmeanbecausehethoughtthataboutyou?"

"No,no!WhathethoughtwasTRUE!"

"Well--youmeanhewassomuchin--youmeanhethoughtsomuchofyou--"ThewordswereinconceivablyawkwarduponSheridan'stongue;

heseemedtobeindoubtevenaboutpronouncingthem,butafteraghastlypausehebravelyrepeatedthem."Youmeanhethoughtsomuchofyouthatyoujustcouldn'tstandhimaround?"

"NO!Hewassorryforme.Hecaredforme;hewasfondofme;andhe'drespectedme--toomuch!Inthefinestwayhelovedme,ifyoulike,andhe'dhavedoneanythingonearthforme,asIwouldforhim,andasheknewIwould.Itwasbeautiful,Mr.Sheridan,"shesaid."Butthecheap,badthingsonehasdoneseemalwaystocomeback--theywait,andpullyoudownwhenyou'rehappiest.Bibbsfoundmeout,yousee;andhewasn't'inlove'withmeatall."

"Hewasn't?Well,itseemstomehegaveupeverythinghewantedto

do--itwasfoolstuff,buthecertainlywanteditmightybad--hejustthrewitawayandwalkedrightupandtookthejobhesworeheneverwould--justforyou.Anditlookstomeasifamanthat'ddothatmustthinkquiteaheapo'thegirlhedoesitfor!Yousayitwasonlybecausehewassorry,butletmetellyouthere'sonlyONEgirlhecouldfeelTHATsorryfor!Yes,sir!"

"No,no,"shesaid."Bibbsisn'tlikeothermen--hewoulddoanythingforanybody."



Sheridangrinned."Perhapsnotsomuchasyouthink,nowadays,"hesaid."Forinstance,Igotkindofasuspicionhedoesn'tbelievein'sentimentinbusiness.'Butthat'sneitherherenorthere.Whathewantedwas,justplainandsimple,foryoutomarryhim.Well,Iwasafraidhisthinkin'somuchOFyouhadkindo'sickenedyouofhim--thewayitdoessometimes.Butfromthewayyoutalk,Iunderstandthatain'tthetrouble."Hecoughed,andhisvoicetrembledalittle."Nowhere,MissVertrees,Idon'thavetotellyou--becauseyouseethingseasy--IknowIgotnobusinesscomin'toyoulikethis,butIhadtomakeBibbsgomywayinsteadofhisown--Ihadtodoitforthesakeo'mybusinessandonhisownaccount,too--andIexpectyougotsomeideahowithurthimtogiveup.Well,he'smadegood.Hedidn'tcomeinhalf-heartedormean;hecamein--alltheway!Butthereisn'tanythinginittohim;youcanseehe'sjustshuthisteethonitandgoin'aheadwithdustinhismouth.Yousee,onewayoflookin'atit,he'sgotnothin'toworkFOR.Anditseemstomelikeitcosthimyourfriendship,andIbelieve--honest--that'swhathurthimtheworst.Nowyousaidwe'dtalkplain.Whycan'tyoulethimcomeback?"

Shecoveredherfacedesperatelywithherhands."Ican't!"

Herose,defeated,andlookingit.

"Well,Imustn'tpressyou,"hesaid,gently.

Atthatshecriedout,anddroppedherhandsandlethimseeherface."Ah!Hewasonlysorryforme!"

Hegazedatherintently.Marywasproud,butshehadafatalhonesty,anditconfessedthetruthofhernow;shewashelpless.ItwassoclearthatevenSheridan,marvelingandamazed,wasabletoseeit.Thenachangecameoverhim;gloomfellfromhim,andhegrewradiant.

"Don't!Don't"shecried."Youmustn't--"

"Iwon'ttellhim,"saidSheridan,fromthedoorway."Iwon'ttellanybodyanything!"

Therewasaheavytown-fogthatafternoon,asmoke-mist,densestinthesanctuaryofthetemple.Thepeoplewentaboutinit,busyanddirty,thickeningtheiroutsideandinsideliningsofcoal-tar,asphalt,sulphurousacid,oilofvitriol,andtheotherfamiliarthingsthemenlikedtobreatheandtohaveupontheirskinsandgarmentsandupontheirwivesandbabiesandsweethearts.Thegrowthofthecitywasvisibleinthesmokeandthenoiseandtherush.TherewasmoresmokethantherehadbeenthisdayofFebruaryayearearlier;therewasmorenoise;andthecrowdswerethicker--yet

quickerinspiteofthat.Thetrafficpolicemanhadahardtime,forthepeoplewereindependent--theyretainedsomehabitsoftheoldmarket-townperiod,andwouldcrossthestreetanywhereandanyhow,whichnotonlygotthemkilledmorefrequentlythaniftheyclungtothelegalcrossings,butkeptthemotormen,thechauffeurs,andthetruck-driversinastewofprofanenervousness.Sothetrafficpolicemenledharriedlives;theythemselveswerekilled,ofcourse,withacertainperiodicity,buttheirmaintroublewasthattheycouldnotmakethecitizensrealizethatitwasactuallyandmortallyperiloustogoabouttheircity.Itwasstrange,fortherewere



probablynocitizensofanylengthofresidencewhohadnotpersonallyknowneithersomeonewhohadbeenkilledorinjuredinanaccident,orsomeonewhohadaccidentallykilledorinjuredothers.Andyet,perhapsitwasnotstrange,seeingthesharppreoccupationofthefaces--thepeoplehadsomethingontheirminds;theycouldnotstoptobotheraboutdirtanddanger.

MaryVertreeswasnotoftendown-town;shehadneverseenanaccidentuntilthisafternoon.Shehadcomeuponerrandsforhermotherconnectedwithatimorousrefurbishment;andasshedidthese,inandoutofthedepartmentstores,shehadaninsistentconsciousnessoftheSheridanBuilding.Fromthestreet,anywhere,itwasalmostalwaysinsight,likesomemonstrousgeometricalshadow,murk-coloredandrisinglimitlesslyintotheswimmingheightsofthesmoke-mist.Itwasgauntandgrimyandrepellent;ithadnothingbutstrengthandsize--butinthatconsciousnessofMary'sthegreatstructuremayhavepartakenofbeauty.Sheridanhadmadesomeofthethingshesaidemphaticenoughtoremainwithher.Shewentoverandoverthem--andtheybegantoseemtrue:"OnlyONEgirlhecouldfeelTHATsorryfor!""Gurneysayshe'sgotyouonhisbrainsobad--"Theman'sclumsytalkbegantosinginherheart.Thesongwasbeguntherewhenshesawtheaccident.

ShewasdirectlyoppositetheSheridanBuildingthen,waitingforthe

traffictothinbeforeshecrossed,thoughotherpeoplewereriskingthepassage,dartingandhaltinganddodgingparlously.Twomencamefromthecrowdbehindher,talkingearnestly,andstartedacross.Bothworeblack;onewastallandbroadandthick,andtheotherwastaller,butnoticeablyslender.AndMarycaughtherbreath,fortheywereBibbsandhisfather.Theydidnotseeher,andshecaughtaphraseinBibbs'smellowvoice,whichhadtakenacrisperring:"Sixty-eightthousanddollars?Notsixty-eightthousandbuttons!"Itstartledherqueerly,andastherewasaglimpseofhisprofileshesawforthefirsttimearesemblancetohisfather.

Shewatchedthem.InthemiddleofthestreetBibbshadtostepaheadofhisfather,andthetwowereseparated.Buttherecklesspassing

ofatruck,beyondthesecondlineofrails,frightenedagroupofcountrywomenwhowereincourseofpassage;theywerejustinfrontofBibbs,andshovedbackwarduponhimviolently.Toextricatehimselffromthemhesteppedback,directlyinfrontofamovingtrolley-car--noplaceforabsent-mindedness,butBibbswasstillabsorbedinthoughtsconcernedwithwhathehadbeensayingtohisfather.Therewereshrieksandyells;Bibbslookedthewrongway--andthenMarysawtheheavyfigureofSheridanplungestraightforwardinfrontofthecar.Withabsolutedisregardofhisownlife,hehurledhimselfatBibbslikeafootball-playershuntingoffanopponent,andtoMaryitseemedthattheybothwentdowntogether.Butthatwasallshecouldsee--automobiles,trucks,andwagonsclosedinbetween.Shemadeoutthatthetrolley-carstoppedjerkily,andshesawapoliceman

breakinghiswaythroughtheinstantlycondensingcrowd,whilethetrafficcametoastandstill,andpeoplestoodupinautomobilesorclimbeduponthehubsandtiresofwheels,nottomissachanceofseeinganythinghorrible.

Marytriedtogetthrough;itwasimpossible.Otherpolicemencametohelpthefirst,andinaminuteortwothetrafficwasinmotionagain.Thecrowdbecamepliant,dispersing--therewasnofigureupontheground,andnoambulancecame.Butoneofthepolicemenwasdetainedbytheclingingandbeseechingofaglovedhand.



"WhatISthematter,lady?"

"Wherearethey?"Marycried.

"Who?OlemanSheridan?IreckonHEwasn'tmuchhurt!"

"HisSON--"

"Wasthatwhotheotheronewas?Iseenhimknockhim--oh,he'snotbadoff,Iguess,lady.Theolemangothimoutofthewayallright.Thefendershovedtheolemanaroundsome,butIreckonheonlygotshookup.TheybothwentonintheSheridanBuildingwithoutanyhelp.Excuseme,lady."

SheridanandBibbs,infact,wereatthatmomentintheelevator,ascending."Whisk-broomupintheoffice,"Sheridanwassaying."Yougottolookoutonthosecornersnowadays,Itellyou.Idon'tknowIgotanycalltoblow,though--becauseItriedtocrossafteryoudid.That'showIhappenedtorunintoyou.Well,youwanttoremembertolookoutafterthis.Weweretalkin'aboutMurtrie'saskin'sixty-eightthousandflatforthatninety-nine-yearlease.It'shislookoutifhe'drathertakeitthatway,andIdon'tknowbut--"

"No,"saidBibbs,emphatically,astheelevatorstopped;"hewon'tgetit.Notfromus,hewon't,andI'llshowyouwhy.Icanconvinceyouinfiveminutes."Hefollowedhisfatherintotheofficeanteroom--andconvincedhim.Then,havingbeendiligentlybrushedbyayouthofcolor,Bibbswentintohisownroomandclosedthedoor.

Hewasmoreshakenthanhehadallowedhisfathertoperceive,andhissidewassorewhereSheridanhadstruckhim.Hedesiredtobealone;hewantedtorubhimselfand,foronce,todosomeuselessthinkingagain.Heknewthathisfatherhadnot"happened"torunintohim;heknewthatSheridanhadinstantly--andinstinctively--

provedthatheheldhisownlifeofnoaccountwhatevercomparedtothatofhissonandheir.Bibbshadbeenunabletospeakofthat,ortoseemtoknowit;forSheridan,justasinstinctively,hadsweptthematteraside--asofnoimportance,sinceallwaswell--revertingimmediatelytobusiness.

Bibbsbegantothinkintentlyofhisfather.Heperceived,ashehadneverperceivedbefore,theshadowingofsomethingenormousandindomitable--andlawless;nottobedauntedbythewillofnature'sveryself;laughingatthelightningandatwoundsandmutilation;conquering,irresistible--andblindlynoble.ForthefirsttimeinhislifeBibbsbegantounderstandthemeaningofbeingtrulythisman'sson.

Hewouldbethemoretrulyhissonhenceforth,though,asSheridansaid,Bibbshadnotcomedown-townwithhimmeanlyorhalf-heartedly.Hehadgivenhiswordbecausehehadwantedthemoney,simply,forMaryVertreesinherneed.Andheshiveredwithhorrorofhimself,thinkinghowhehadgonetohertoofferit,askinghertomarryhim--withhisheadonhisbreastinshamefulfearthatshewouldaccepthim!Hehadnotknownher;theknowinghadlosthertohim,andthishadbeenhisrealawakening;forheknewnowhowdeephadbeenthatslumberwhereinhedreamilycelebratedthesuperiorityof



"friendship"!Thesleep-walkerhadwakenedtobitterknowledgeofloveandlife,findinghimselfafailureinboth.Hehadmadeaburntofferingofhisdreams,andthesacrificehadbeenanunforgivablehurttoMary.Allthatwasleftforhimwastheworkhehadnotchosen,butatleasthewouldnotfailinthat,thoughitwasindeednomorethan"dustinhismouth."Iftherehadbeenanything"toworkfor--"

Hewenttothewindow,raisedit,andletintheuproarofthestreetsbelow.Helookeddownattheblurred,hurryingswarmsandhelookedacross,overtheroofswiththeirpantingjetsofvapor,intothevast,foggyheartofthesmoke.Dizzytraceriesofsteelwererisingdimlyagainstit,chatteringwithsteelonsteel,andscreechinginsteam,whiletinyfiguresofmenwalkedonthreadsinthedullsky.BuildingswouldovertoptheSheridan.Bignesswasbeingserved.

Butwhatfor?TheoldquestioncametoBibbswithanewdespair.Here,wherehiseyesfell,hadoncebeengreenfieldsandrunningbrooks,andhowhadthekindearthbeendespoiledanddisfigured!Thepioneershadbegunthework,butintheiroldagetheiroratorshadsaidforthemthattheyhadtoiledandriskedandsacrificedthattheirposteritymightliveinpeaceandwisdom,enjoyingthefruitsoftheearth.Well,theirposteritywashere--andtherewasonlyturmoil.Wherewasthepromisedland?Ithadbeenpromisedbythe

soldiersofallthewars;ithadbeenpromisedtothisgenerationbythepioneers;butherewastheveryposteritytowhomithadbeenpromised,toilingandriskingandsacrificinginturn--forwhat?

Theharshroarofthecitycameinthroughtheopenwindow,continuouslybeatinguponBibbs'searuntilhebegantodistinguishapulsationinit--abrokenandirregularcadence.Itseemedtohimthatitwaslikeatitanicvoice,discordant,hoarse,rustilymetallic--thevoiceofthegod,Bigness.AndthevoicesummonedBibbsasitsummonedallitsservants.

"Comeandwork!"itseemedtoyell."ComeandworkforMe,allmen!ByyouryouthandyourhopeIsummonyou!Byyourageandyour

despairIsummonyoutoworkforMeyetalittle,withwhatstrengthyouhave.ByyourloveofhomeIsummonyou!ByyourloveofwomanIsummonyou!ByyourhopeofchildrenIsummonyou!

"YoushallbeblindslavesofMine,blindtoeverythingbutMe,yourMasterandDriver!Foryourrewardyoushallgazeonlyuponmyugliness.Youshallgiveyourtoilandyourlives,youshallgomadforloveandworshipofmyugliness!YoushallperishstillworshippingMe,andyourchildrenshallperishknowingnoothergod!"

Andthen,asBibbsclosedthewindowdowntight,heheardhisfather'svoiceboominginthenextroom;hecouldnotdistinguish

thewordsbutthetonewasexultant--andtherecametheTHUMP!THUMP!ofthemaimedhand.BibbsguessedthatSheridanwasbraggingofthecityandofBignesstosomevisitorfromout-of-town.

AndhethoughthowtrulySheridanwasthehighpriestofBigness.Butwiththeold,oldthoughtagain,"Whatfor?"Bibbscaughtaglimmeroffar,faintlight.HesawthatSheridanhadallhislifestruggledandconquered,andmustallhislifegoonstrugglingandinevitablyconquering,aspartofavastimpulsenothisown.



Sheridanservedblindly--butwastheimpulseblind?Bibbsaskedhimselfifitwasnothewhohadbeeninthegreaterhurry,afterall.Thekilnmustbefiredbeforethevaseisglazed,andtheAcropoliswasnotcrownedwithmarbleinaday.

Thenthevoicecametohimagain,buttherewasastraininitasofsomehighmusicstrugglingtobebornoftheturmoil."UglyIam,"itseemedtosaytohim,"butneverforgetthatIAMagod!"Andthevoicegrewinsonorousnessandindignity."Thehighestshouldserve,butsolongasyouworshipmeformyownsakeIwillnotserveyou.Itismanwhomakesmeugly,byhisworshipofme.Ifmanwouldletmeservehim,Ishouldbebeautiful!"

Lookingoncemorefromthewindow,Bibbssculpturedforhimself--inthevaguecontortionsofthesmokeandfogabovetheroofs--agiganticfigurewithfeetpedestaleduponthegreatbuildingsandshouldersdisappearingintheclouds,acolossusofsteelandwhollyblackenedwithsoot.ButBibbscarriedhisfancyfurther--fortherewasstillalittlepoetlingeringinthebackofhishead--andhethoughtthatupovertheclouds,unseenfrombelow,thegiantlaboredwithhishandsinthecleansunshine;andBibbshadaglimpseofwhathemadethere--perhapsforafellowshipofthechildrenofthechildrenthatwerechildrennow--anobleandjoyouscity,unbelievablywhite--"

Itwasthetelephonethatcalledhimfromhisvision.Itrangfiercely.

Heliftedthethingfromhisdeskandanswered--andasthesmallvoiceinsideitspokehedroppedthereceiverwithacrash.Hetrembledviolentlyashepickeditup,buthetoldhimselfhewaswrong--hehadbeenmistaken--yetitwasastartlinglybeautifulvoice;startlinglykind,too,andineffablyliketheonehehungeredmosttohear.

"Who?"hesaid,hisownvoiceshaking--likehishand.

"Mary."

Herespondedwithtwohushedandincredulouswords:"ISIT?"

Therewasalittlethrillofpathetichalf-laughterintheinstrument."Bibbs--Iwantedto--justtoseeifyou--"

"Yes--Mary?"

"Iwaslookingwhenyouweresonearlyrunover.Isawit,Bibbs.Theysaidyouhadn'tbeenhurt,theythought,butIwantedtoknowformyself."

"No,no,Iwasn'thurtatall--Mary.Itwasfatherwhocamenearerit.Hesavedme."

"Yes,Isaw;butyouhadfallen.Icouldn'tgetthroughthecrowduntilyouhadgone.AndIwantedtoKNOW."

"Mary--wouldyou--haveminded?"hesaid.

Therewasalongintervalbeforesheanswered.

"Yes."



"Thenwhy--"

"Yes,Bibbs?"

"Idon'tknowwhattosay,"hecried."It'ssowonderfultohearyourvoiceagain--I'mshaking,Mary--I--Idon'tknow--Idon'tknowanythingexceptthatIAMtalkingtoyou!ItISyou--Mary?"

"Yes,Bibbs!"

"Mary--I'veseenyoufrommywindowathome--onlyfivetimessinceI--sincethen.Youlooked--oh,howcanItellyou?Itwaslikeamanchainedinacavecatchingaglimpseofthebluesky,Mary.Mary,won'tyou--letmeseeyouagain--near?IthinkIcouldmakeyoureallyforgiveme--you'dhaveto--"

"IDID--then."

"No--notreally--oryouwouldn'thavesaidyoucouldn'tseemeanymore."

"Thatwasn'tthereason."Thevoicewasverylow.

"Mary,"hesaid,evenmoretremulouslythanbefore,"Ican't--you

COULDN'Tmeanitwasbecause--youcan'tmeanitwasbecauseyou--care?"

Therewasnoanswer.

"Mary?"hecalled,huskily."IfyoumeanTHAT--you'dletmeseeld 't ?"

Documents

The Turmoil