Horn's；butshedidherbestwithhimastheonlyflirtablematerialwhichhadyetcometoherhand。Itwouldhavebeenheridealtohavetheyoungmenstaytillpastmidnight，andherfathercomedown-stairsinhisstocking-feetandtellthemitwastimetogo。Buttheymadeavisitofdecorousbrevity，andKendricksdidnotcomeagain。Shemethimafterward，once，asshewascrossingthepavementinUnionSquaretogetintohercoupe，andmadethemostofhim；butitwasnecessarilyverylittle，andsohepassedoutofherlifewithouthavingleftanytraceinherheart，thoughMelahadaheartthatshewouldhaveputatthedispositionofalmostanyyoungmanthatwantedit。Kendrickshimself，Manhattancockneyashewas，withscarcelymoreoutlookintotheaverageAmericannaturethanifhehadbeenkeptaprisonerinNewYorksocietyallhisdays，perceivedapropertyinherwhichforbadehimasamanofconsciencetotriflewithher；somethingearthlygoodandkind，ifitwassimpleandvulgar。Inrevisinghisimpressionsofher，itseemedtohimthatshewouldcomeeventobetterliteraryeffectifthiswererecognizedinher；anditmadehersacred，inspiteofherwillingnesstofoolandtobefooled，inhermerelyhumanquality。Afterall，hesawthatshewishedhonestlytoloveandtobeloved，andtheluresshethrewouttothatendseemedtohimpatheticratherthanridiculous；hecouldnotjoinBeatoninlaughingather；andhedidnotlikeBeaton'slaughingattheothergirl，either。ItseemedtoKendricks，withthecodeofhonorwhichhemostlykepttohimselfbecausehewasalittleashamedtofindthereweresofewotherslikeit，thatifBeatoncarednothingfortheothergirl——andChristineappearedsimplydetestabletoKendricks——
　　hehadbetterkeepawayfromher，andnotgivehertheimpressionhewasinlovewithher。Heratherfanciedthatthiswasthepartofagentleman，andhecouldnothavepenetratedtothataestheticandmoralcomplexitywhichformedtheconsciousnessofanaturelikeBeaton'sandwaschieflyatormenttoitself；hecouldnothaveconceivedofthewaywardimpulsesindulgedateverymomentinlittlethingstillthestraighthighwaywastraversedandwell-nighlostundertheirtangle。
　　Todowhateveronelikesisfinallytodonothingthatonelikes，eventhoughonecontinuestodowhatonewill；butKendricks，thoughasageoftwenty-seven，wasstilltooyoungtounderstandthis。
　　Beatonscarcelyunderstoodithimself，perhapsbecausehewasnotyettwenty-seven。Heonlyknewthathiswillwassomehowsick；thatitspentitselfincaprices，andbroughthimnohappinessfromthefulfilmentofthemostvehementwish。Buthewasawarethathiswishesgrewlessandlessvehement；hebegantohaveafearthatsometimehemighthavenoneatall。Itseemedtohimthatifhecouldoncedosomethingthatwasthoroughlydistastefultohimself，hemightmakeabeginningintherightdirection；butwhenhetriedthisonasmallscale，itfailed，anditseemedstupid。Somesortofexpiationwasthethingheneeded，hewassure；buthecouldnotthinkofanythinginparticulartoexpiate；amancouldnotexpiatehistemperament，andhistemperamentwaswhatBeatondecidedtobeatfault。Heperceivedthatitwentdeeperthanevenfatewouldhavegone；hecouldhavefulfilledanevildestinyandhaddonewithit，howeverterrible。Histroublewasthathecouldnotescapefromhimself；and，forthemostpart，hejustifiedhimselfinrefusingtotry。
　　AfterhehadcometothatdistinctunderstandingwithAlmaLeighton，andexperiencedthereliefitreallygavehim，hethoughtforawhilethatifithadfallenoutotherwise，andshehadputhiminchargeofherdestiny，hemighthavebeenbetterabletomanagehisown。Butasitwas，hecouldonlydrift，andletallotherthingstaketheircourse。
　　Itwasnecessarythatheshouldgotoseeherafterward，toshowherthathewasequaltotheevent；buthedidnotgosooften，andhewentratheroftenertotheDryfooses；itwasnoteasytoseeMargaretVance，exceptonthesocietyterms。Withmuchsneeringandscorning，hefulfilledthedutiestoMrs。Hornwithoutwhichheknewheshouldbedroppedfromherlist；butonemightgotomanyofherThursdayswithoutgettingmanywordswithherniece。Beatonhardlyknewwhetherhewantedmany；thegirlkeptthecharmofherinnocentstylishness；butlatterlyshewantedtotalkmoreaboutsocialquestionsthanaboutthepsychicalproblemsthatyoungpeopleusuallydebatesopersonally。Sonoftheworking-
　　peopleashewas，Beatonhadnevercaredanythingaboutsuchmatters；
　　hedidnotknowaboutthemorwishtoknow；hewasperhapstoonearthem。
　　Besides，therewasanembarrassment，atleastonherpart，concerningtheDryfooses。Shewastoohigh-mindedtoblamehimforhavingtemptedhertoherfailurewiththembyhistalkaboutthem；butshewasconsciousofavoidingtheminhertalk。Shehaddecidednottorenewtheeffortshehadmadeinthespring；becauseshecouldnotdothemgoodasfellow-
　　creaturesneedingfoodandwarmthandwork，andshewouldnottrytobefriendthemsocially；shehadahorrorofanysuchfutilesentimentality。ShewouldhavelikedtoaccounttoBeatoninthiswayforacoursewhichshesuspectedhemusthaveheardtheircommentsupon，butshedidnotquiteknowhowtodoit；shecouldnotbesurehowmuchorhowlittlehecaredforthem。Sometentativeapproacheswhichshemadetowardexplanationweremetwithsucheagerdisclaimofpersonalinterestthatsheknewlessthanbeforewhattothink；andsheturnedthetalkfromthesisterstothebrother，whomitseemedshestillcontinuedtomeetintheircommonworkamongthepoor。
　　"Heseemsverydifferent，"sheventured。
　　"Oh，quite，"saidBeaton。"He'sthekindofpersonthatyoumightsupposegavetheCatholicsahintforthecloistrallife；he'sacloisterednature——thenaturethatatonesandsuffersfor。Buthe'sawfullydullcompany，don'tyouthink?Inevercangetanythingoutofhim。"
　　"He'sverymuchinearnest。"
　　"Remorselessly。We'vegotaprofaneandmundanecreaturethereattheofficewhorunsusall，andit'sshockingmerelytoseethecontactofthetyronatures。WhenFulkersongetstojokingDryfoos——helikestoputhisjokeintheformofapretencethatDryfoosisactuatedbyaselfishmotive，thathehasaneyetooffice，andisworkingupapoliticalinterestforhimselfontheEastSide——it'ssomethinginexpressible。"
　　"Ishouldthinkso，"saidMissVance，withsuchloftydisapprovalthatBeatonfelthimselfincludedinitforhavingmerelytoldwhatcausedit。
　　Hecouldnothelpsaying，innaturalrebellion，"Well，themanofoneideaisalwaysalittleridiculous。"
　　"Whenhisideaisright?"shedemanded。"Arightideacan'tberidiculous。"
　　"Oh，Ionlysaidthemanthathelditwas。He'sflat；hehasnorelief，noprojection。"
　　Sheseemedunabletoanswer，andheperceivedthathehadsilencedhertohisown，disadvantage。ItappearedtoBeatonthatshewasbecomingalittletooexactingforcomfortinheridealism。Heputdownthecupofteahehadbeentasting，andsaid，inhissolemnstaccato:"Imustgo。
　　Good-bye!"andgotinstantlyawayfromher，withaneffecthehadofhavingsuddenlythoughtofsomethingimperative。
　　HewentuptoMrs。Hornforamoment'shailandfarewell，andfelthimselfsubtlydetainedbyherthroughfugitivepassagesofconversationwithhalfadozenotherpeople。HefanciedthatatcrisesofthisstrangeinterviewMrs。Hornwasabouttobecomeconfidentialwithhim，andconfidential，ofallthings，aboutherniece。Sheendedbynothavingpalpablybeenso。Infact，theconcerninhermindwouldhavebeendifficulttoimparttoayoungman，andafterseveralexperimentsMrs。HornfounditimpossibletosaythatshewishedMargaretcouldsomehowbeinterestedinlowerthingsthanthosewhichoccupiedher。
　　Shehadwatchedwithgrowinganxietythegirl'stendencytovariouskindsofself-devotion。Shehaddarkhoursinwhichsheevenfearedherentirewithdrawalfromtheworldinalifeofgoodworks。Beforenow，girlshadenteredtheProtestantsisterhoods，whichappealsopotentlytotheyoungandgenerousimagination，andMargaretwasofjustthetemperamenttobeinfluencedbythem。Duringthepastsummershehadbeenunhappyatherseparationfromthecaresthathadengrossedhermoreandmoreastheirstayinthecitydrewtoanendinthespring，andshehadhurriedherauntbacktotownearlierinthefallthanshewouldhavechosentocome。
　　Margarethadhercorrespondentsamongtheworking-womenwhomshebefriended。Mrs。HornwasatonetimealarmedtofindthatMargaretwasactuallypromotingastrikeofthebutton-holeworkers。This，ofcourse，haditsludicrousside，inconnectionwithayoungladyingoodsociety，andapersonofevensolittlehumorasMrs。Horncouldnothelpseeingit。Atthesametime，shecouldnothelpforebodingtheworstfromit；
　　shewasafraidthatMargaret'shealthwouldgivewayunderthestrain，andthatifshedidnotgointoasisterhoodshewouldatleastgointoadecline。Shebeganthewinterwithallsuchcounteractivemeasuresasshecouldemploy。Atanagewhensuchthingsweary，shethrewherselfintothepleasuresofsocietywiththehopeofdraggingMargaretafterher；andasympatheticwitnessmusthavefollowedwithcompassionhercoursefromballtoball，fromreceptiontoreception，fromparlor-
　　readingtoparlor-reading，frommusicaletomusicale，fromplaytoplay，fromoperatoopera。Shetasted，aftershehadpracticallyrenouncedthem，thebitterandtheinsipidflavorsoffashionableamusement，inthehopethatMargaretmightfindthemsweet，andnowattheendshehadtoowntoherselfthatshehadfailed。ItwascomingLentagain，andthegirlhadonlygrownthinnerandmoreseriouswiththediversionsthatdidnotdivertherfromthebalefulworksofbeneficenceonwhichMrs。Hornfeltthatshewasthrowingheryouthaway。Margaretcouldhaveborneeitheralone，buttogethertheywerewearingherout。Shefeltitadutytoundergothepleasuresherauntappointedforher，butshecouldnotforegotheotherdutiesinwhichshefoundheronlypleasure。
　　Shekeptuphermusicstillbecauseshecouldemployitatthemeetingsfortheentertainment，and，asshehoped，theelevationofherworking-
　　women；butsheneglectedtheotheraestheticinterestswhichonceoccupiedher；and，atsightofBeatontalkingwithher，Mrs。HorncaughtatthehopethathemightsomehowbeturnedtoaccountinrevivingMargaret'sformerinterestinart。SheaskedhimifMr。Wetmorehadhisclassesthatwinterasusual；andshesaidshewishedMargaretcouldbeinducedtogoagain:Mr。Wetmorealwayssaidthatshedidnotdrawverywell，butthatshehadagreatdealoffeelingforit，andherworkwasinteresting。Sheasked，weretheLeightonsintownagain；andshemurmuredaregretthatshehadnotbeenabletoseeanythingofthem，withoutexplainingwhy；shesaidshehadafancythatifMargaretknewMissLeighton，andwhatshewasdoing，itmightstimulateher，perhaps。
　　ShesupposedMissLeightonwasstillgoingonwithherart?Beatonsaid，Ohyes，hebelievedso。
　　ButhismannerdidnotencourageMrs。Horntopursueheraimsinthatdirection，andshesaid，withasigh，shewishedhestillhadaclass；
　　shealwaysfanciedthatMargaretgotmoregoodfromhisinstructionthanfromanyoneelse's。
　　Hesaidthatshewasverygood；buttherewasreallynobodywhoknewhalfasmuchasWetmore，orcouldmakeanyoneunderstandhalfasmuch。
　　Mrs。Hornwasafraid，shesaid，thatMr。Wetmore'sterriblesinceritydiscouragedMargaret；hewouldnotletherhaveanyillusionsabouttheoutcomeofwhatshewasdoing；anddidnotMr。Beatonthinkthatsomeillusionwasnecessarywithyoungpeople?Ofcourse，itwasveryniceofMr。Wetmoretobesohonest，butitdidnotalwaysseemtobethewisestthing。ShebeggedMr。Beatontotrytothinkofsomeonewhowouldbealittlelesssevere。Hertoneassumedadeeperinterestinthepeoplewhowerecomingupandgoingaway，andBeatonperceivedthathewasdismissed。
　　HewentawaywithvanityflatteredbythesenseofhavingbeenappealedtoconcerningMargaret，andthenhebegantochafeatwhatshehadsaidofWetmore'shonesty，aproposofherwishthathestillhadaclasshimself。Didshemean，confoundher?thathewasinsincere，andwouldletMissVancesupposeshehadmoretalentthanshereallyhad?ThemoreBeatonthoughtofthis，themorefurioushebecame，andthemorehewasconvincedthatsomethinglikeithadbeenunconsciouslyifnotconsciouslyinhermind。Heframedsomekeenretorts，tothegeneraleffectthatwiththeatmosphereofillusionpreservedsocompletelyathome，MissVancehardlyneededitinherartstudies。HavingjustdeterminednevertogonearMrs。Horn'sThursdaysagain，hedecidedtogooncemore，inordertoplantthisstinginhercapaciousbutsomewhatcallousbosom；andheplannedhowhewouldleadthetalkuptothepointfromwhichheshouldlaunchit。
　　Inthemeantimehefelttheneedofsomepresentsolace，suchasonlyunqualifiedworshipcouldgivehim；acruelwishtofeelhispowerinsomedirectionwhere，evenifitwereresisted，itcouldnotbeovercome，drovehimon。ThatawomanwhowastoBeatontheembodimentofartificialityshouldintimate，howeverinnocently——theinnocencemadeitalltheworse——thathewaslesshonestthanWetmore，whomheknewtobesomuchmorehonest，wassomethingthatmustberetaliatedsomewherebeforehisself-respectcouldberestored。Itwasonlyfiveo'clock，andhewentonup-towntotheDryfooses'，thoughhehadbeenthereonlythenightbeforelast。Heaskedfortheladies，andMrs。Mandelreceivedhim。
　　"Theyoungladiesaredown-townshopping，"shesaid，"butIamverygladoftheopportunityofseeingyoualone，Mr。Beaton。YouknowIlivedseveralyearsinEurope。"
　　"Yes，"saidBeaton，wonderingwhatthatcouldhavetodowithherpleasureinseeinghimalone。"Ibelieveso?"Heinvoluntarilygavehiswordsthequestioninginflection。
　　"Youhavelivedabroad，too，andsoyouwon'tfindwhatIamgoingtoasksostrange。Mr。Beaton，whydoyoucomesomuchtothishouse?"Mrs。
　　Mandelbentforwardwithanaspectofladylikeinterestandsmiled。
　　Beatonfrowned。"WhydoIcomesomuch?"
　　"Yes。"
　　"WhydoI——Excuseme，Mrs。Mandel，butwillyouallowmetoaskwhyyouask?"
　　"Oh，certainly。There'snoreasonwhyIshouldn'tsay，forIwishyoutobeveryfrankwithme。Iaskbecausetherearetwoyoungladiesinthishouse；and，inacertainway，Ihavetotaketheplaceofamothertothem。Ineedn'texplainwhy；youknowallthepeoplehere，andyouunderstand。Ihavenothingtosayaboutthem，butIshouldnotbespeakingtoyounowiftheywerenotallratherhelplesspeople。Theydonotknowtheworldtheyhavecometoliveinhere，andtheycannothelpthemselvesoroneanother。Butyoudoknowit，Mr。Beaton，andIamsureyouknowjusthowmuchorhowlittleyoumeanbycominghere。Youareeitherinterestedinoneoftheseyounggirlsoryouarenot。Ifyouare，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Ifyouarenot——"Mrs。Mandelcontinuedtosmile，butthesmilehadgrownmoreperfunctory，andithadanicygleam。
　　Beatonlookedatherwithsurprisethathegravelykepttohimself。Hehadalwaysregardedherasasocialnullity，withakindofpity，tobesure，asacivilizedpersonlivingamongsuchpeopleastheDryfooses，butnotwithoutahumorouscontempt；hehadthoughtofherasMandel，andsometimesasOldMandel，thoughshewasnothalfascoreofyearshissenior，andwasstillwellonthesunnysideofforty。Hereddened，andthenturnedanangrypallor。"Excusemeagain，Mrs。Mandel。Doyouaskthisfromtheyoungladies?"
　　"Certainlynot，"shesaid，withthebesttemper，andwithsomethinginhertonethatconvictedBeatonofvulgarity，inputtinghisquestionofherauthorityintheformofasneer。"AsIhavesuggested，theywouldhardlyknowhowtohelpthemselvesatallinsuchamatter。IhavenoobjectiontosayingthatIaskitfromthefatheroftheyoungladies。
　　Ofcourse，inandformyselfIshouldhavenorighttoknowanythingaboutyouraffairs。Iassureyouthedutyofknowingisn'tverypleasant。"ThelittletremorinherclearvoicestruckBeatonassomethingrathernice。
　　"Icanverywellbelievethat，Mrs。Mandel，"hesaid，withadreamysadnessinhisown。Heliftedhiseyesandlookedintohers。"IfItoldyouthatIcarednothingabouttheminthewayyouintimate?"
　　"ThenIshouldprefertoletyoucharacterizeyourownconductincontinuingtocomeherefortheyearpast，asyouhavedone，andtacitlyleadingthemontoinferdifferently。"TheybothmechanicallykeptupthefictionofpluralityinspeakingofChristine，buttherewasnodoubtinthemindofeitherwhichoftheyoungladiestheothermeant。
　　AgoodmanythoughtswentthroughBeaton'smind，andnoneofthemwereflattering。Hehadnotbeenunconsciousthattheparthehadplayedtowardthisgirlwasignoble，andthatithadgrownmeanerasthefancywhichherbeautyhadatfirstkindledinhimhadgrowncooler。Hewasawarethatoflatehehadbeenamusinghimselfwithherpassioninawaythatwasnotlessthancruel，notbecausehewishedtodoso，butbecausehewaslistlessandwishednothing。Heroseinsaying:"Imightbealittlemorelenientthanyouthink，Mrs。Mandel；butIwon'ttroubleyouwithanypalliatingtheory。Iwillnotcomeanymore。"
　　Hebowed，andMrs。Mandelsaid，"Ofcourse，it'sonlyyouractionthatI
　　amconcernedwith。"
　　Sheseemedtohimmerelytriumphant，andhecouldnotconceivewhatithadcosthertonerveherselfuptohertooeasyvictory。HeleftMrs。
　　Mandeltoafarharderlotthanhadfallentohim，andhewentawayhatingherasanenemywhohadhumiliatedhimatamomentwhenheparticularlyneededexalting。ItwasreallyverysimpleforhimtostopgoingtoseeChristineDryfoos，butitwasnotatallsimpleforMrs。
　　Mandeltodealwiththeconsequencesofhisnotcoming。Heonlythoughthowlightlyshehadstoppedhim，andthepoorwomanwhomhehadlefttremblingforwhatshehadbeenobligedtodoembodiedforhimtheconsciencethataccusedhimofunpleasantthings。
　　"Byheavens!thisispilingitup，"hesaidtohimselfthroughhissetteeth，realizinghowithadhappenedrightontopofthatstupidinsultfromMrs。Horn。Nowheshouldhavetogiveuphisplaceon'EveryOtherWeek；hecouldnotkeepthat，underthecircumstances，evenifsomepretencewerenotmadetogetridofhim；hemusthurryandanticipateanysuchpretence；hemustseeFulkersonatonce；hewonderedwhereheshouldfindhimatthathour。Hethought，withbitternesssorealthatitgavehimakindoftragicalsatisfaction，howcertainlyhecouldfindhimalittlelateratMrs。Leighton's；andFulkerson'shappinessbecameanaddedinjury。
　　Thethinghad，ofcourse，comeaboutjustatthewrongtime。ThereneverhadbeenatimewhenBeatonneededmoneymore，whenhehadspentwhathehadandwhatheexpectedtohavesorecklessly。HewasindebttoFulkersonpersonallyandofficiallyforadvancepaymentsofsalary。Thethoughtofsendingmoneyhomemadehimbreakintoascoffinglaugh，whichheturnedintoacoughinordertodeceivethepassers。WhatsortoffaceshouldhegowithtoFulkersonandtellhimthatherenouncedhisemploymenton'EveryOtherWeek；'andwhatshouldhedowhenhehadrenouncedit?Takepupils，perhaps；openaclass?AluridconceptionofaclassconductedonthoseprinciplesofshamelessflatteryatwhichMrs。
　　Hornhadhinted——hebelievednowshehadmeanttoinsulthim——presenteditself。Whyshouldnotheactuponthesuggestion?Hethoughtwithloathingforthewholeraceofwomen——dabblersinart。Howeasythethingwouldbe:aseasyastoturnbacknowandtellthatoldfool'sgirlthathelovedher，andrakeinhalfhismillions。Whyshouldnothedothat?Nooneelsecaredforhim；andatayear'send，probably，onewomanwouldbelikeanotherasfarasthelovewasconcerned，andprobablyheshouldnotbemoretiredifthewomanwereChristineDryfoosthanifshewereMargaretVance。HekeptAlmaLeightonoutofthequestion，becauseatthebottomofhishearthebelievedthatshemustbeforeverunlikeeveryotherwomantohim。
　　Thetideofhisconfusedandaimlessreveriehadcarriedhimfardown-
　　town，hethought；butwhenhelookedupfromittoseewherehewashefoundhimselfonSixthAvenue，onlyalittlebelowThirty-ninthStreet，veryhotandblown；thatidioticfurovercoatwasstifling。HecouldnotpossiblywalkdowntoEleventh；hedidnotwanttowalkeventotheElevatedstationatThirty-fourth；hestoppedatthecornertowaitforasurface-car，andfellagainintohisbitterfancies。Afterawhileherousedhimselfandlookedupthetrack，buttherewasnocarcoming。Hefoundhimselfbesideapoliceman，whowaslazilyswinginghisclubbyitsthongfromhiswrist。
　　"Whendoyousupposeacarwillbealong?"heasked，ratherinageneralsarcasmoftheabsenceofthecarsthaninanyspecialbeliefthatthepolicemancouldtellhim。
　　Thepolicemanwaitedtodischargehistobacco-juiceintothegutter。
　　"Inaboutaweek，"hesaid，nonchalantly。
　　"What'sthematter?"askedBeaton，wonderingwhatthejokecouldbe。
　　"Strike，"saidthepoliceman。HisinterestinBeaton'signoranceseemedtoovercomehiscontemptofit。"KnockedoffeverywherethismorningexceptThirdAvenueandoneortwocross-townlines。"Hespatagainandkepthisbulkatitsinclineovertheguttertoglanceatagroupofmenonthecornerbelow:Theywereneatlydressed，andlookedlikesomethingbetterthanworkingmen，andtheyhadaholidayairofbeingintheirbestclothes。
　　"Someofthestrikers?"askedBeaton。
　　Thepolicemannodded。
　　"Anytroubleyet?"
　　"Therewon'tbeanytroubletillwebegintomovethecars，"saidthepoliceman。
　　BeatonfeltasuddenturnofhisragetowardthemenwhoseactionwouldnowforcehimtowalkfiveblocksandmountthestairsoftheElevatedstation。"Ifyou'dtakeouteightortenofthosefellows，"hesaid，ferociously，"andsetthemupagainstawallandshootthem，you'dsaveagreatdealofbother。"
　　"Iguesswesha'n'thavetoshootmuch，"saidthepoliceman，stillswinginghislocust。"Anyway，weshantbeginit。Ifitcomestoafight，though，"hesaid，withalookatthemenunderthescoopingrimofhishelmet，"wecandrivethewholesixthousandof'emintotheEastRiverwithoutpullin'atrigger。"
　　"Aretheresixthousandinit?"
　　"About。"
　　"Whatdotheinfernalfoolsexpecttoliveon?"
　　"Theinterestoftheirmoney，Isuppose，"saidtheofficer，withagrinofsatisfactioninhisirony。"It'sgottorunitscourse。Thenthey'llcomebackwiththeirheadstiedupandtheirtailsbetweentheirlegs，andpleadtobetakenonagain。"
　　"IfIwasamanageroftheroads，"saidBeaton，thinkingofhowmuchhewasalreadyinconveniencedbythestrike，andobscurelyconnectingitasoneoftheserieswiththewrongshehadsufferedatthehandsofMrs。
　　HornandMrs。Mandel，"IwouldseethemstarvebeforeI'dtakethemback——everyoneofthem。"
　　"Well，"saidthepoliceman，impartially，asamanmightwhomthecompaniesallowedtoridefree，butwhohadmadefriendswithagoodmanydriversandconductorsinthecourseofhisfreeriding，"Iguessthat'swhattheroadswouldliketodoiftheycould；butthemenaretoomanyforthem，andthereain'tenoughothermentotaketheirplaces。"
　　"Nomatter，"saidBeaton，severely。"Theycanbringinmenfromotherplaces。"
　　"Oh，they'lldothatfastenough，"saidthepoliceman。
　　Amancameoutofthesaloononthecornerwherethestrikerswerestanding，noisydrunk，andtheybegan，astheywouldhavesaid，tohavesomefunwithhim。ThepolicemanleftBeaton，andsaunteredslowlydowntowardthegroupasifinthenaturalcourseofanafternoonramble。OntheothersideofthestreetBeatoncouldseeanotherofficersaunteringupfromtheblockbelow。Lookingupanddowntheavenue，sosilentofitshorse-carbells，hesawapolicemanateverycorner。Itwasratherimpressive。
　　III。
　　Thestrikemadeagooddealoftalkinitheofficeof'EveryOtherWeek'
　　thatis，itmadeFulkersontalkagooddeal。Hecongratulatedhimselfthathewasnotpersonallyincommodedbyit，likesomeofthefellowswholiveduptown，andhadnoteverythingunderoneroof，asitwere。Heenjoyedtheexcitementofit，andhekepttheofficeboyrunningouttobuytheextraswhichthenewsmencamecryingthroughthestreetalmosteveryhourwithalamentable，unintelligiblenoise。Hereadnotonlythelatestintelligenceofthestrike，buttheeditorialcommentsonit，whichpraisedthefirmattitudeofbothparties，andtheadmirablemeasurestakenbythepolicetopreserveorder。Fulkersonenjoyedtheinterviewswiththepolicecaptainsandtheleadersofthestrike；heequallyenjoyedtheattemptsofthereporterstointerviewtheroadmanagers，whichweresographicallydetailed，andwithsuchafinefeelingfortherightuseofscare-headsastohavealmostthevalueofdirectexpressionfromthem，thoughitseemedthattheyhadresolutelyrefusedtospeak。Hesaid，atsecond-handfromthepapers，thatifthemenbehavedthemselvesandrespectedtherightsofproperty，theywouldhavepublicsympathywiththemeverytime；butjustassoonastheybegantointerferewiththeroads'righttomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway，theymustbeputdownwithanironhand；thephrase"ironhand"
　　didFulkersonalmostasmuchgoodasifithadneverbeenusedbefore。
　　NewsbegantocomeoffightingbetweenthepoliceandthestrikerswhentheroadstriedtomovetheircarswithmenimportedfromPhiladelphia，andthenFulkersonrejoicedatthesplendidcourageofthepolice。Atthesametime，hebelievedwhatthestrikerssaid，andthatthetroublewasnotmadebythem，butbygangsofroughsactingwithouttheirapproval。InthisjuncturehewasrelievedbythearrivaloftheStateBoardofArbitration，whichtookupitsquarters，withagreatmanyscare-heads，atoneoftheprincipalhotels，andinvitedtheroadsandthestrikerstolaythematterindisputebeforethem；hesaidthatnowweshouldseetheworkingofthegreatestpieceofsocialmachineryinmoderntimes。Butitappearedtoworkonlyinthealacrityofthestrikerstosubmittheirgrievance。Theroad；wereasoneroadindeclaringthattherewasnothingtoarbitrate，andthattheyweremerelyassertingtheirrighttomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway。
　　OneofthepresidentswasreportedtohavetoldamemberoftheBoard，whopersonallysummonedhim，togetoutandtogoabouthisbusiness。
　　Then，toFulkerson'sextremedisappointment，theaugusttribunal，actingonbehalfofthesovereignpeopleintheinterestofpeace，declareditselfpowerless，andgotout，andwould，nodoubt，havegoneaboutitsbusinessifithadhadany。Fulkersondidnotknowwhattosay，perhapsbecausetheextrasdidnot；butMarchlaughedatthisresult。
　　"It'sagooddeallikethemilitarymanoeuvreoftheKingofFranceandhisfortythousandmen。Isupposesomebodytoldhimatthetopofthehillthattherewasnothingtoarbitrate，andtogetoutandgoabouthisbusiness，andthatwasthereasonhemarcheddownafterhehadmarchedupwithallthatceremony。Whatamusesmeistofindthatinanaffairofthiskindtheroadshaverightsandthestrikershaverights，butthepublichasnorightsatall。TheroadsandthestrikersareallowedtofightoutaprivatewarinourmidstasthoroughlyandpreciselyaprivatewarasanywedespisetheMiddleAgesforhavingtolerated——
　　asanystreetwarinFlorenceorVerona——andtofightitoutatourpainsandexpense，andwestandbylikesheepandwaittilltheygettired。
　　It'safunnyattitudeforacityoffifteenhundredthousandinhabitants。"
　　"Whatwouldyoudo?"askedFulkerson，agooddealdauntedbythisviewofthecase。
　　"Do?Nothing。Hasn'ttheStateBoardofArbitrationdeclareditselfpowerless?Wehavenoholduponthestrikers；andwe'resousedtobeingsnubbedanddisobligedbycommoncarriersthatwehaveforgottenourholdontheroadsandalwaysallowthemtomanagetheirownaffairsintheirownway，quiteasifwehadnothingtodowiththemandtheyowedusnoservicesinreturnfortheirprivileges。"
　　"That'sagooddealso，"saidFulkerson，disorderinghishair。"Well，it'snutsforthecolonelnowadays。Hesaysifhewasbossofthistownhewouldseizetheroadsonbehalfofthepeople，andman'emwithpolicemen，andrun'emtillthemanagershadcometotermswiththestrikers；andhe'ddothateverytimetherewasastrike。"
　　"Doesn'tthatrathersavorofthepaternalismhecondemnedinLindau?"
　　askedMarch。
　　"Idon'tknow。Itsavorsofhorsesense。"
　　"Youareprettyfargone，Fulkerson。IthoughtyouwerethemostengagedmanIeversaw；butIguessyou'remorefather-in-lawed。Andbeforeyou'remarried，too。"
　　"Well，thecolonel'sagloriousoldfellow，March。Iwishhehadthepowertodothatthing，justforthefunoflookingonwhilehewaltzedin。He'sonthekeenjumpfrommorningtillnight，andhe'suplateandearlytoseetherow。I'mafraidhe'llgetshotatsomeofthefights；
　　heseesthemall；Ican'tgetanyshowatthem:haven'tseenabrickbatshiedoraclubswungyet。Haveyou?"
　　"No，IfindIcanphilosophizethesituationaboutaswellfromthepapers，andthat'swhatIreallywanttodo，Isuppose。Besides，I'msolemnlypledgedbyMrs。Marchnottogonearanysortofcrowd，underpenaltyofhavingherbringthechildrenandgowithme。Hertheoryisthatwemustalldietogether；thechildrenhaven'tbeenatschoolsincethestrikebegan。There'snoprecautionthatMrs。Marchhasn'tused。
　　ShewatchesmewheneverIgoout，andseesthatIstartstraightforthisoffice。"
　　Fulkersonlaughedandsaid:"Well，it'sprobablytheonlythingthat'ssavedyourlife。HaveyouseenanythingofBeatonlately?"
　　"No。Youdon'tmeantosayhe'skilled!"
　　"Notifheknowsit。ButIdon'tknow——Whatdoyousay，March?What'sthereasonyoucouldn'tgetusupapaperonthestrike?"
　　"Iknewitwouldfetchroundto'EveryOtherWeek，'somehow。"
　　"No，butseriously。There'llbeplentyofnewspaperaccounts。Butyoucouldtreatitinthehistoricalspirit——likesomethingthathappenedseveralcenturiesago；DeFoe'sPlagueofLondonstyle。Heigh?WhatmademethinkofitwasBeaton。IfIcouldgetholdofhim，youtwocouldgoroundtogetherandtakedownitsaestheticaspects。It'sabigthing，March，thisstrikeis。Itellyouit'simposingtohaveaprivatewar，asyousay，foughtoutthisway，intheheartofNewYork，andNewYorknotminding，itabit。See?Mighttakethatviewofit。WithyourdescriptionsandBeaton'ssketches——well，itwouldjustbethegreatestcard!Come!Whatdoyousay?"
　　"WillyouundertaketomakeitrightwithMrs。MarchifI'mkilledandsheandthechildrenarenotkilledwithme?"
　　"Well，itwouldbedifficult。IwonderhowitwoulddotogetKendrickstodotheliterarypart?"
　　"I'venodoubthe'djumpatthechance。I'veyettoseetheformofliteraturethatKendrickswouldn'tlaydownhislifefor。"
　　"Say!"MarchperceivedthatFulkersonwasabouttoventanotherinspiration，andsmiledpatiently。"Lookhere!What'sthereasonwecouldn'tgetoneofthestrikerstowriteitupforus?"
　　"Mighthaveasymposiumofstrikersandpresidents，"Marchsuggested。
　　"No；I'minearnest。Theysaysomeofthosefellows-especiallytheforeigners——areeducatedmen。Iknowonefellow——aBohemian——thatusedtoeditaBohemiannewspaperhere。HecouldwriteitoutinhiskindofDutch，andwecouldgetLindautotranslateit。"
　　"Iguessnot，"saidMarch，dryly。
　　"Whynot?He'ddoitforthecause，wouldn'the?Supposeyouputituponhimthenexttimeyouseehim。"
　　"Idon'tseeLindauanymore，"saidMarch。Headded，"Iguesshe'srenouncedmealongwithMr。Dryfoos'smoney。"
　　"Pshaw!Youdon'tmeanhehasn'tbeenroundsince?"
　　"Hecameforawhile，buthe'sleftoffcomingnow。Idon'tfeelparticularlygayaboutit，"Marchsaid，withsomeresentmentofFulkerson'sgrin。"He'sleftmeindebttohimforlessonstothechildren。"
　　Fulkersonlaughedout。"Well，heisthegreatestoldfool!Who'd'a'
　　thoughthe'd'a'beeninearnestwiththose'brincibles'ofhis?ButI
　　supposetherehavetobejustsuchcranks；ittakesallkindstomakeaworld。"
　　"Therehastobeonesuchcrank，itseems，"Marchpartiallyassented。
　　"One'senoughforme。"
　　"IreckonthisthingisnutsforLindau，too，"saidFulkerson。"Why，itmustactlikeaschoonerofbeeronhimallthewhile，tosee'gabidal'
　　embarrassedlikeitisbythisstrike。ItmustmakeoldLindaufeellikehewasbackbehindthosebarricadesatBerlin。Well，he'sasplendidoldfellow；pityhedrinks，asIremarkedoncebefore。"
　　WhenMarchlefttheofficehedidnotgohomesodirectlyashecame，perhapsbecauseMrs。March'seyewasnotonhim。Hewasverycuriousaboutsomeaspectsofthestrike，whoseimportance，asagreatsocialconvulsion，hefeltpeopledidnotrecognize；and，withhistemperanceineverything，hefounditsnegativeexpressionsassignificantasitsmoreviolentphases。Hehadpromisedhiswifesolemnlythathewouldkeepaway，fromthese，andhehadanaturalinclinationtokeephispromise；
　　hehadnowishtobethatpeacefulspectatorwhoalwaysgetsshotwhenthereisanyfiringonamob。Heinterestedhimselfintheapparentindifferenceofthemightycity，whichkeptonaboutitsbusinessastranquillyasiftheprivatewarbeingfoughtoutinitsmidstwereavaguerumorofIndiantroublesonthefrontier；andherealizedhowtheremightoncehavebeenastreetfeudoffortyyearsinFlorencewithoutinterferingmateriallywiththeindustryandprosperityofthecity。
　　OnBroadwaytherewasasilencewhereajangleandclatterofhorse-carbellsandhoofshadbeen，butitwasnotverynoticeable；andontheavenues，roofedbytheelevatedroads，thissilenceofthesurfacetrackswasnotnoticeableatallintheroarofthetrainsoverhead。Someofthecross-towncarswerebeginningtorunagain，withapolicemanontherearofeach；ontheThirdAvengeline，operatedbynon-unionmen，whohadnotstruck，thereweretwopolicemenbesidethedriverofeverycar，andtwobesidetheconductor，toprotectthemfromthestrikers。Buttherewerenostrikersinsight，andonSecondAvenuetheystoodquietlyaboutingroupsonthecorners。WhileMarchwatchedthematasafedistance，acarladenwithpolicemencamedownthetrack，butnoneofthestrikersofferedtomolestit。IntheirsimpleSundaybest，Marchthoughtthemveryquiet，decent-lookingpeople，andhecouldwellbelievethattheyhadnothingtodowiththeriotousoutbreaksinotherpartsofthecity。Hecouldhardlybelievethattherewereanysuchoutbreaks；hebeganmoreandmoretothinkthemmerenewspaperexaggerationsintheabsenceofanydisturbance，orthedispositiontoit，thathecouldsee。
　　HewalkedontotheEastRiverAvenuesA，B，andCpresentedthesamequietaspectasSecondAvenue；
　　groupsofmenstoodonthecorners，andnowandthenapolice-ladencarwasbroughtunmolesteddownthetracksbeforethem；theylookedatitandtalkedtogether，andsomelaughed，buttherewasnotrouble。
　　Marchgotacross-towncar，andcamebacktotheWestSide。Apoliceman，lookingverysleepyandtired，loungedontheplatform。
　　"Isupposeyou'llbegladwhenthiscruelwarisover，"Marchsuggested，ashegotin。
　　Theofficergavehimasurlyglanceandmadehimnoanswer。
　　Hisbehavior，fromamanborntothejokinggiveandtakeofourlife，impressedMarch。ItgavehimafinesenseoftheferocitywhichhehadreadoftheFrenchtroopsputtingontowardthepopulacejustbeforethecoupd'etat；hebegantofeellikethepopulace；buthestruggledwithhimselfandregainedhischaracterofphilosophicalobserver。Inthischaracterheremainedinthecarandletitcarryhimbythecornerwhereheoughttohavegotoutandgonehome，andletitkeeponwithhimtooneofthefarthermosttrackswestward，wheresomuchofthefightingwasreportedtohavetakenplace。ButeverythingonthewaywasasquietasontheEastSide。
　　Suddenlythecarstoppedwithsoquickaturnofthebrakethathewashalfthrownfromhisseat，andthepolicemanjumpeddownfromtheplatformandranforward。
　　IV
　　DryfoossatatbreakfastthatmorningwithMrs。Mandelasusualtopourouthiscoffee。Conradhadgonedown-town；thetwogirlslayabedmuchlaterthantheirfatherbreakfasted，andtheirmotherhadgraduallygrowntoofeebletocomedowntilllunch。SuddenlyChristineappearedatthedoor。Herfacewaswhitetotheedgesofherlips，andhereyeswereblazing。
　　Lookhere，father!HaveyoubeensayinganythingtoMr。Beaton?"
　　Theoldmanlookedupatheracrosshiscoffee-cupthroughhisfrowningbrows。"No。"
　　Mrs。Mandeldroppedhereyes，andthespoonshookinherhand。
　　"Thenwhat'sthereasonhedon'tcomehereanymore?"demandedthegirl；
　　andherglancedartedfromherfathertoMrs。Mandel。"Oh，it'syou，isit?I'dliketoknowwhotoldyoutomeddleinotherpeople'sbusiness?"
　　"Idid，"saidDryfoos，savagely。"Itoldhertoaskhimwhathewantedhere，andhesaidhedidn'twantanything，andhestoppedcoming。That'sall。Ididitmyself。"
　　"Oh，youdid，didyou?"saidthegirl，scarcelylessinsolentlythanshehadspokentoMrs。Mandel。"Ishouldliketoknowwhatyoudiditfor?
　　I'dliketoknowwhatmadeyouthinkIwasn'tabletotakecareofmyself。Ijustknewsomebodyhadbeenmeddling，butIdidn'tsupposeitwasyou。Icanmanagemyownaffairsinmyownway，ifyouplease，andI'llthankyouafterthistoleavemetomyselfinwhatdon'tconcernyou。"
　　"Don'tconcernme?Youimpudentjade!"herfatherbegan。
　　Christineadvancedfromthedoorwaytowardthetable；shehadherhandscloseduponwhatseemedtrinkets，someofwhichglitteredanddangledfromthem。Shesaid，"Willyougotohimandtellhimthatthismeddlesomeminx，here，hadnobusinesstosayanythingaboutmetohim，andyoutakeitallback?"
　　"No!"shoutedtheoldman。"Andif——"
　　"That'sallIwantofyou!"thegirlshoutedinherturn。"Hereareyourpresents。"Withbothhandssheflungthejewels-pinsandringsandearringsandbracelets——amongthebreakfast-dishes，fromwhichsomeofthemsprangtothefloor。ShestoodamomenttopulltheintaglioringfromthefingerwhereBeatonputitayearago，anddashedthatatherfather'splate。Thenshewhirledoutoftheroom，andtheyheardherrunningup-stairs。
　　Theoldmanmadeastarttowardher，buthefellbackinhischairbeforeshewasgone，and，withafierce，grindingmovementofhisjaws，controlledhimself。"Take-takethosethingsup，"hegaspedtoMrs。
　　Mandel。Heseemedunabletoriseagainfromhischair；butwhensheaskedhimifhewereunwell，hesaidno，withanairofoffence，andgotquicklytohisfeet。Hemechanicallypickeduptheintaglioringfromthetablewhilehestoodthere，andputitonhislittlefinger；hishandwasnotmuchbiggerthanChristine's。"Howdoyousupposeshefounditout?"heasked，afteramoment。
　　"Sheseemstohavemerelysuspectedit，"saidMrs。Mandel，inatremor，andwiththefrightinhereyeswhichChristine'sviolencehadbroughtthere。
　　"Well，itdon'tmakeanydifference。Shehadtoknow，somehow，andnowsheknows。"Hestartedtowardthedoorofthelibrary，asiftogointothehall，wherehishatandcoathung。
　　"Mr。Dryfoos，"palpitatedMrs。Mandel，"Ican'tremainhere，afterthelanguageyourdaughterhasusedtome——Ican'tletyouleaveme——I——I'mafraidofher——"
　　"Lockyourselfup，then，"saidtheoldman，rudely。Headded，fromthehallbeforeliewentout，"Ireckonshe'llquietdownnow。"
　　HetooktheElevatedroad。Thestrikeseemedavaryfar-offthing，thoughthepaperheboughttolookupthestockmarketwasfullofnoisytypographyaboutyesterday'stroublesonthesurfacelines。AmongthemillionsinWallStreettherewassomejokingandsomeswearing，butnotmuchthinking，aboutthesixthousandmenwhohadtakensuchchancesintheirattempttobettertheircondition。DryfoosheardnothingofthestrikeinthelobbyoftheStockExchange，wherehespenttwoorthreehourswatchingafavoritestockofhisgoupandgodownunderthebetting。BythetimetheExchangeclosedithadriseneightpoints，andonthisandsomeotherinvestmentshewasfivethousanddollarsricherthanhehadbeeninthemorning。Buthehadexpectedtobericherstill，andhewasbynomeanssatisfiedwithhisluck。Allthroughtheexcitementofhiswinningandlosinghadplayedthedull，murderousragehefelttowardtheychildwhohaddefiedhim，andwhenthegamewasoverandhestartedhomehisragemountedintoasortoffrenzy；hewouldteachher，hewouldbreakher。Hewalkedalongwaywithoutthinking，andthenwaitedforacar。Nonecame，andhehailedapassingcoupe。
　　"Whathasgotallthecars?"hedemandedofthedriver，whojumpeddownfromhisboxtoopenthedoorforhimandgethisdirection。
　　"Beenaway?"askedthedriver。"Hasn'tbeenanycaralongforaweek。
　　Strike。"
　　"Ohyes，"saidDryfoos。Hefeltsuddenlygiddy，andheremainedstaringatthedriverafterhehadtakenhisseat。
　　Themanasked，"Whereto?"
　　Dryfooscouldnotthinkofhisstreetornumber，andhesaid，withuncontrollablefury:"Itoldyouonce!GouptoWestEleventh，anddrivealongslowonthesouthside；I'llshowyoutheplace。"
　　Hecouldnotrememberthenumberof'EveryOtherWeek'office，wherehesuddenlydecidedtostopbeforehewenthome。HewishedtoseeFulkerson，andaskhimsomethingaboutBeaton:whetherhehadbeenaboutlately，andwhetherhehaddroppedanyhintofwhathadhappenedconcerningChristine；DryfoosbelievedthatFulkersonwasinthefellow'sconfidence。
　　TherewasnobodybutConradinthecounting-room，whitherDryfoosreturnedafterglancingintoFulkerson'semptyoffice。"Where'sFulkerson?"heasked，sittingdownwithhishaton。
　　"Hewentoutafewmomentsago，"saidConrad，glancingattheclock。
　　"I'mafraidheisn'tcomingbackagaintoday，ifyouwantedtoseehim。"
　　DryfoostwistedhisheadsidewiseandupwardtoindicateMarch'sroom。
　　"Thatotherfellowout，too?"
　　"HewentjustbeforeMr。Fulkerson，"answeredConrad。
　　"Doyougenerallyknockoffhereinthemiddleoftheafternoon?"askedtheoldman。
　　"No，"saidConrad，aspatientlyasifhisfatherhadnotbeenthereascoreoftimesandfoundthewholestaffofEveryOtherleekatworkbetweenfourandfive。"Mr。March，youknow，alwaystakesagooddealofhisworkhomewithhim，andIsupposeMr。Fulkersonwentoutsoearlybecausethereisn'tmuchdoingto-day。Perhapsit'sthestrikethatmakesitdull。"
　　"Thestrike-yes!It'saprettypieceofbusinesstohaveeverythingthrownoutbecauseaparceloflazyhoundswantachancetolayoffandgetdrunk。"DryfoosseemedtothinkConradwouldmakesomeanswertothis，buttheyoungman'smildfacemerelysaddened，andhesaidnothing。
　　"I'vegotacoupeouttherenowthatIhadtotakebecauseIcouldn'tgetacar。IfIhadmywayI'dhavealotofthosevagabondshung。They'rewaitingtogetthecityintoasnarl，andthenrobthehouses——packofdirty，worthlesswhelps。Theyoughttocalloutthemilitia，andfireinto'em。Clubbingistoogoodforthem。"Conradwasstillsilent，andhisfathersneered，"ButIreckonyoudon'tthinkso。"
　　"Ithinkthestrikeisuseless，"saidConrad。
　　"Oh，youdo，doyou?Comin'toyoursensesalittle。Gettin'tiredwalkin'somuch。IshouldliketoknowwhatyourgentlemenoverthereontheEastSidethinkaboutthestrike，anyway。"
　　Theyoungfellowdroppedhiseyes。"Iamnotauthorizedtospeakforthem。"
　　"Oh，indeed!Andperhapsyou'renotauthorizedtospeakforyourself?"
　　"Father，youknowwedon'tagreeaboutthesethings。I'drathernottalk——"
　　"ButI'mgoin'tomakeyoutalkthistime!"criedDryfoos，strikingthearmofthechairhesatinwiththesideofhisfist。AmaddeningthoughtofChristinecameoverhim。"Aslongasyoueatmybread，youhavegottodoasIsay。Iwon'thavemychildrentellingmewhatI
　　shalldoandsha'n'tdo，ortakeonairsofbeingholierthanme。Now，youjustspeakup!Doyouthinkthoseloafersareright，ordon'tyou?
　　Come!"
　　Conradapparentlyjudgeditbesttospeak。"Ithinktheywereveryfoolishtostrike——atthistime，whentheElevatedroadscandothework。"
　　"Oh，atthistime，heigh!AndIsupposetheythinkoverthereontheEastSidethatit'dbeenwisetostrikebeforewegottheElevated。"
　　Conradagainrefusedtoanswer，andhisfatherroared，"Whatdoyouthink?"
　　"Ithinkastrikeisalwaysbadbusiness。It'swar；butsometimestheredon'tseemanyotherwayfortheworkingmentogetjustice。Theysaythatsometimesstrikesdoraisethewages，afterawhile。"
　　"Thoselazydevilswerepaidenoughalready，"shriekedtheoldman。
　　"Theygottwodollarsaday。Howmuchdoyouthinktheyoughtto'a'
　　got?Twenty?"
　　Conradhesitated，withabeseechinglookathisfather。Buthedecidedtoanswer。"Themensaythatwithpartialwork，andfines，andotherthings，theygetsometimesadollar，andsometimesninetycentsaday。"
　　"Theylie，andyouknowtheylie，"saidhisfather，risingandcomingtowardhim。"Andwhatdoyouthinktheupshotofitallwillbe，afterthey'veruinedbusinessforanotherweek，andmadepeoplehirehacks，andstolenthemoneyofhonestmen?Howisitgoingtoend?"
　　"Theywillhavetogivein。"
　　"Oh，givein，heigh!Andwhatwillyousaythen，Ishouldliketoknow?
　　Howwillyoufeelaboutitthen?Speak!"
　　"IshallfeelasIdonow。Iknowyoudon'tthinkthatway，andIdon'tblameyou——oranybody。ButifIhavegottosayhowIshallfeel，why，I
　　shallfeelsorrytheydidn'tsucceed，forIbelievetheyhavearighteouscause，thoughtheygothewrongwaytohelpthemselves。"
　　Hisfathercameclosetohim，hiseyesblazing，histeethset。"Doyoudaresosaythattome?"
　　"Yes。Ican'thelpit。Ipitythem；mywholeheartiswiththosepoormen。"
　　"Youimpudentpuppy!"shoutedtheoldman。Heliftedhishandandstruckhissonintheface。Conradcaughthishandwithhisownleft，and，whilethebloodbegantotricklefromawoundthatChristine'sintaglioringhadmadeinhistemple，helookedathimwithakindofgrievingwonder，andsaid，"Father!"
　　Theoldmanwrenchedhisfistawayandranoutofthehouse。Herememberedhisaddressnow，andhegaveitasheplungedintothecoupe。
　　Hetrembledwithhisevilpassion，andglaredoutofthewindowsatthepassersashedrovehome；heonlysawConrad'smild，grieving，wonderingeyes，andthebloodslowlytricklingfromthewoundinhistemple。
　　Conradwenttotheneat-setbowlinFulkerson'scomfortableroomandwashedthebloodaway，andkeptbathingthewoundwiththecoldwatertillitstoppedbleeding。Thecutwasnotdeep，andhethoughthewouldnotputanythingonit。Afterawhilehelockeduptheofficeandstartedout，behardlyknewwhere。Buthewalkedon，inthedirectionhehadtaken，tillhefoundhimselfinUnionSquare，onthepavementinfrontofBrentano's。Itseemedtohimthatheheardsomeonecallinggentlytohim，"Mr。Dryfoos!"
　　V。
　　Conradlookedconfusedlyaround，andthesamevoicesaidagain，"Mr。
　　Dryfoos!"andhesawthatitwasaladyspeakingtohimfromacoupebesidethecurbing，andthenhesawthatitwasMissVance。
　　Shesmiledwhen，hegavesignsofhavingdiscoveredher，andcameuptothedoorofhercarriage。"Iamsogladtomeetyou。Ihavebeenlongingtotalktosomebody；nobodyseemstofeelaboutitasIdo。Oh，isn'tithorrible?Musttheyfail?IsawcarsrunningonallthelinesasIcameacross；itmademesickatheart。Mustthosebravefellowsgivein?Andeverybodyseemstohatethemso——Ican'tbearit。"Herfacewasestrangedwithexcitement，andthereweretracesoftearsonit。
　　"Youmustthinkmealmostcrazytostopyouinthestreetthisway；butwhenIcaughtsightofyouIhadtospeak。Iknewyouwouldsympathize——
　　IknewyouwouldfeelasIdo。Oh，howcananybodyhelphonoringthosepoormenforstandingbyoneanotherastheydo?Theyareriskingalltheyhaveintheworldforthesakeofjustice!Oh，theyaretrueheroes!
　　Theyarestakingthebreadoftheirwivesandchildrenonthedreadfulchancethey'vetaken!Butnooneseemstounderstandit。Nooneseemstoseethattheyarewillingtosuffermorenowthatotherpoormenmaysufferlesshereafter。Andthosewretchedcreaturesthatarecomingintotaketheirplaces——thosetraitors——"
　　"Wecan'tblamethemforwantingtoearnaliving，MissVance，"saidConrad。
　　"No，no!Idon'tblamethem。WhoamI，todosuchathing?It'swe——peoplelikeme，ofmyclass——whomakethepoorbetrayoneanother。
　　Butthisdreadfulfighting——thishideouspaperisfullofit!"Sheheldupanextra，crumpledwithhernervousreading。"Can'tsomethingbedonetostopit?Don'tyouthinkthatifsomeonewentamongthem，andtriedtomakethemseehowperfectlyhopelessitwastoresistthecompaniesanddriveoffthenewmen，hemightdosomegood?Ihavewantedtogoandtry；butIamawoman，andImustn't!Ishouldn'tbeafraidofthestrikers，butI'mafraidofwhatpeoplewouldsay!"Conradkeptpressinghishandkerchieftothecutinhistemple，whichhethoughtmightbebleeding，andnowshenoticedthis。"Areyouhurt，Mr。Dryfoos?
　　Youlooksopale。"
　　"No，it'snothing——alittlescratchI'vegot。"
　　"Indeed，youlookpale。Haveyouacarriage?Howwillyougethome?
　　Willyougetinherewithmeandletmedriveyou?"
　　"No，no，"saidConrad，smilingatherexcitement。"I'mperfectlywell——"
　　"Andyoudon'tthinkI'mfoolishandwickedforstoppingyouhereandtalkinginthisway?ButIknowyoufeelasIdo!"
　　"Yes，Ifeelasyoudo。Youareright——rightineveryway——Imustn'tkeepyou——Good-bye。"Hesteppedbacktobow，butsheputherbeautifulhandoutofthewindow，andwhenhetookitshewrunghishandhard。
　　"Thankyou，thankyou!Youaregoodandyouarejust!Butnoonecandoanything。It'suseless!"
　　Thetypeofirreproachablecoachmanontheboxwhoserespectabilityhadsufferedthroughthestrangebehaviorofhismistressinthisinterviewdrovequicklyoffathersignal，andConradstoodamomentlookingafterthecarriage。Hisheartwasfullofjoy；itleaped；hethoughtitwouldburst。Asheturnedtowalkawayitseemedtohimasifhemountedupontheair。Thetrustshehadshownhim，thepraiseshehadgivenhim，thatcrushofthehand:hehopednothing，heformednoideafromit，butitallfilledhimwithlovethatcastoutthepainandshamehehadbeensuffering。Hebelievedthathecouldneverbeunhappyanymore；thehardnessthatwasinhismindtowardhisfatherwentoutofit；hesawhowsorelyhehadtriedhim；hegrievedthathehaddoneit，butthemeans，thedifferenceofhisfeelingaboutthecauseoftheirquarrel，hewassolemnlygladofthatsinceshesharedit。Hewasonlysorryforhisfather。"Poorfather!"hesaidunderhisbreathashewentalong。
　　Heexplainedtoherabouthisfatherinhisreverie，andshepitiedhisfather，too。
　　HewaswalkingovertowardtheWestSide，aimlesslyatfirst，andthenattimeswiththelongingtodosomethingtosavethosemistakenmenfromthemselvesformingitselfintoapurpose。Wasnotthatwhatshemeantwhenshebewailedherwoman'shelplessness?Shemusthavewishedhimtotryifhe，beingaman，couldnotdosomething；orifshedidnot，stillhewouldtry，andifsheheardofitshewouldrecallwhatshehadsaidandwouldbegladhehadunderstoodherso。Thinkingofherpleasureinwhathewasgoingtodo，heforgotalmostwhatitwas；butwhenhecametoastreet-cartrackherememberedit，andlookedupanddowntoseeiftherewereanyturbulentgatheringofmenwhomhemightminglewithandhelptokeepfromviolence。Hesawnoneanywhere；andthensuddenly，asifatthesamemoment，forinhisexaltedmoodalleventshadadream-
　　likesimultaneity，hestoodatthecornerofanavenue，andinthemiddleofit，alittlewayoff，wasastreet-car，andaroundthecaratumultofshouting，cursing，strugglingmen。Thedriverwaslashinghishorsesforward，andapolicemanwasattheirheads，withtheconductor，pullingthem；stones，clubs，brickbatshaileduponthecar，thehorses，thementryingtomovethem。Themobclosedupontheminabody，andthenapatrol-wagonwhirledupfromtheotherside，andasquadofpolicemenleapedoutandbegantoclubtherioters。Conradcouldseehowtheystruckthemundertherimsoftheirhats；theblowsontheirskullssoundedasiftheyhadfallenonstone；theriotersraninalldirections。
　　OneoftheofficersrusheduptowardthecornerwhereConradstood，andthenhesawathissideatall，oldman，withalong，whitebeard，whowascallingoutatthepolicemen:"Ah，yes!Glupthestrikerss——gifittothem!Whydon'tyoucoandglupthebresidentsthatinsoaltyourlawss，andgickyourBoartofArpidrationout-of-toors?Glupthestrikerss