ChapterI
AverylittleboystooduponaheapofgravelforthehonorofRumAlley。HewasthrowingstonesathowlingurchinsfromDevil’sRowwhowerecirclingmadlyabouttheheapandpeltingathim。
Hisinfantilecountenancewaslividwithfury。Hissmallbodywaswrithinginthedeliveryofgreat，crimsonoaths。
"Run，Jimmie，run！Dey’llgetyehs，"screamedaretreatingRumAlleychild。
"Naw，"respondedJimmiewithavaliantroar，"desemickscan’tmakemerun。"
HowlsofrenewedwrathwentupfromDevil’sRowthroats。
Tatteredgaminsontherightmadeafuriousassaultonthegravelheap。Ontheirsmall，convulsedfacesthereshonethegrinsoftrueassassins。Astheycharged，theythrewstonesandcursedinshrillchorus。
ThelittlechampionofRumAlleystumbledprecipitatelydowntheotherside。Hiscoathadbeentorntoshredsinascuffle，andhishatwasgone。Hehadbruisesontwentypartsofhisbody，andbloodwasdrippingfromacutinhishead。Hiswanfeaturesworealookofatiny，insanedemon。
Ontheground，childrenfromDevil’sRowclosedinontheirantagonist。Hecrookedhisleftarmdefensivelyabouthisheadandfoughtwithcursingfury。Thelittleboysrantoandfro，dodging，hurlingstonesandswearinginbarbarictrebles。
Fromawindowofanapartmenthousethatupreareditsformfromamidsquat，ignorantstables，thereleanedacuriouswoman。
Somelaborers，unloadingascowatadockattheriver，pausedforamomentandregardedthefight。Theengineerofapassivetugboathunglazilytoarailingandwatched。OverontheIsland，awormbuildingandcrawledslowlyalongtheriver’sbank。
AstonehadsmashedintoJimmie’smouth。Bloodwasbubblingoverhischinanddownuponhisraggedshirt。Tearsmadefurrowsonhisdirt-stainedcheeks。Histhinlegshadbeguntotrembleandturnweak，causinghissmallbodytoreel。Hisroaringcursesofthefirstpartofthefighthadchangedtoablasphemouschatter。
IntheyellsofthewhirlingmobofDevil’sRowchildrentherewerenotesofjoylikesongsoftriumphantsavagery。
Thelittleboysseemedtoleergloatinglyatthebloodupontheotherchild’sface。
Downtheavenuecameboastfullysaunteringaladofsixteenyears，althoughthechronicsneerofanidealmanhoodalreadysatuponhislips。Hishatwastippedwithanairofchallengeoverhiseye。Betweenhisteeth，acigarstumpwastiltedattheangleofdefiance。Hewalkedwithacertainswingoftheshoulderswhichappalledthetimid。HeglancedoverintothevacantlotinwhichthelittleravingboysfromDevil’sRowseethedabouttheshriekingandtearfulchildfromRumAlley。
"Gee！"hemurmuredwithinterest。"Ascrap。Gee！"
Hestrodeovertothecursingcircle，swinginghisshouldersinamannerwhichdenotedthatheheldvictoryinhisfists。
HeapproachedatthebackofoneofthemostdeeplyengagedoftheDevil’sRowchildren。
"Ah，whatdehhell，"hesaid，andsmotethedeeply-engagedoneonthebackofthehead。Thelittleboyfelltothegroundandgaveahoarse，tremendoushowl。Hescrambledtohisfeet，andperceiving，evidently，thesizeofhisassailant，ranquicklyoff，shoutingalarms。TheentireDevil’sRowpartyfollowedhim。
Theycametoastandashortdistanceawayandyelledtauntingoathsattheboywiththechronicsneer。Thelatter，momentarily，paidnoattentiontothem。
"Whatdehhell，Jimmie？"heaskedofthesmallchampion。
Jimmiewipedhisblood-wetfeatureswithhissleeve。
"Well，itwasdisway，Pete，see！Iwasgoin’tehlickdatRileykidanddeyallpitchedonme。"
SomeRumAlleychildrennowcameforward。ThepartystoodforamomentexchangingvaingloriousremarkswithDevil’sRow。Afewstoneswerethrownatlongdistances，andwordsofchallengepassedbetweensmallwarriors。ThentheRumAlleycontingentturnedslowlyinthedirectionoftheirhomestreet。Theybegantogive，eachtoeach，distortedversionsofthefight。Causesofretreatinparticularcasesweremagnified。Blowsdealtinthefightwereenlargedtocatapultianpower，andstonesthrownwereallegedtohavehurtledwithinfiniteaccuracy。Valorgrewstrongagain，andthelittleboysbegantoswearwithgreatspirit。
"Ah，weblokieskinlickdehhulldamnRow，"saidachild，swaggering。
LittleJimmiewasstrivingtostanchtheflowofbloodfromhiscutlips。Scowling，heturneduponthespeaker。
"Ah，wheredehhellwasyehwhenIwasdoin’alldehfightin？"
hedemanded。"Yousekidsmakesmetired。"
"Ah，goahn，"repliedtheotherargumentatively。
Jimmierepliedwithheavycontempt。"Ah，yousecan’tfight，BlueBillie！Ikinlickyehwidonehan’。"
"Ah，goahn，"repliedBillieagain。
"Ah，"saidJimmiethreateningly。
"Ah，"saidtheotherinthesametone。
Theystruckateachother，clinched，androlledoveronthecobblestones。
"Smash’im，Jimmie，kickdehdamngutsoutof’im，"yelledPete，theladwiththechronicsneer，intonesofdelight。
Thesmallcombatantspoundedandkicked，scratchedandtore。
Theybegantoweepandtheircursesstruggledintheirthroatswithsobs。Theotherlittleboysclaspedtheirhandsandwriggledtheirlegsinexcitement。Theyformedabobbingcircleaboutthepair。
Atinyspectatorwassuddenlyagitated。
"Cheeseit，Jimmie，cheeseit！Herecomesyerfader，"heyelled。
Thecircleoflittleboysinstantlyparted。Theydrewawayandwaitedinecstaticaweforthatwhichwasabouttohappen。
Thetwolittleboysfightinginthemodesoffourthousandyearsago，didnothearthewarning。
Uptheavenuethereploddedslowlyamanwithsulleneyes。
Hewascarryingadinnerpailandsmokinganapple-woodpipe。
Ashenearedthespotwherethelittleboysstrove，heregardedthemlistlessly。Butsuddenlyheroaredanoathandadvancedupontherollingfighters。
"Here，youJim，gitup，now，whileIbeltyerlifeout，youdamneddisorderlybrat。"
Hebegantokickintothechaoticmassontheground。TheboyBilliefeltaheavybootstrikehishead。HemadeafuriouseffortanddisentangledhimselffromJimmie。Hetotteredaway，damning。
Jimmiearosepainfullyfromthegroundandconfrontinghisfather，begantocursehim。Hisparentkickedhim。"Comehome，now，"hecried，"an’stopyerjawin’，erI’lllamtheeverlastingheadoffyehs。"
Theydeparted。Themanpacedplacidlyalongwiththeapple-
woodemblemofserenitybetweenhisteeth。Theboyfollowedadozenfeetintherear。Hesworeluridly，forhefeltthatitwasdegradationforonewhoaimedtobesomevaguesoldier，oramanofbloodwithasortofsublimelicense，tobetakenhomebyafather。
chapter02
ChapterII
Eventuallytheyenteredintoadarkregionwhere，fromacareeningbuilding，adozengruesomedoorwaysgaveuploadsofbabiestothestreetandthegutter。Awindofearlyautumnraisedyellowdustfromcobblesandswirleditagainstanhundredwindows。
Longstreamersofgarmentsflutteredfromfire-escapes。Inallunhandyplacestherewerebuckets，brooms，ragsandbottles。Inthestreetinfantsplayedorfoughtwithotherinfantsorsatstupidlyinthewayofvehicles。Formidablewomen，withuncombedhairanddisordereddress，gossipedwhileleaningonrailings，orscreamedinfranticquarrels。Witheredpersons，incuriousposturesofsubmissiontosomething，satsmokingpipesinobscurecorners。Athousandodorsofcookingfoodcameforthtothestreet。Thebuildingquiveredandcreakedfromtheweightofhumanitystampingaboutinitsbowels。
Asmallraggedgirldraggedared，bawlinginfantalongthecrowdedways。Hewashangingback，baby-like，bracinghiswrinkled，barelegs。
Thelittlegirlcriedout："Ah，Tommie，comeahn。
Dere’sJimmieandfader。Don’tbea-pullin’meback。"
Shejerkedthebaby’sarmimpatiently。Hefellonhisface，roaring。Withasecondjerkshepulledhimtohisfeet，andtheywenton。Withtheobstinacyofhisorder，heprotestedagainstbeingdraggedinachosendirection。Hemadeheroicendeavorstokeeponhislegs，denouncehissisterandconsumeabitoforangepeelingwhichhechewedbetweenthetimesofhisinfantileorations。
Asthesullen-eyedman，followedbytheblood-coveredboy，drewnear，thelittlegirlburstintoreproachfulcries。
"Ah，Jimmie，yousebinfightin’agin。"
Theurchinswelleddisdainfully。
"Ah，whatdehhell，Mag。See？"
Thelittlegirlupbraidedhim，"Youseallusfightin’，Jimmie，an’yehknowsitputsmudderoutwhenyehscomehomehalfdead，an’it’slikewe’llallgetapoundin’。"
Shebegantoweep。Thebabethrewbackhisheadandroaredathisprospects。
"Ah，whatdehhell！"criedJimmie。ShutuperI’llsmackyermout’。
See？"
Ashissistercontinuedherlamentations，hesuddenlysworeandstruckher。Thelittlegirlreeledand，recoveringherself，burstintotearsandquaveringlycursedhim。Assheslowlyretreatedherbrotheradvanceddealinghercuffs。Thefatherheardandturnedabout。
"Stopthat，Jim，d’yehhear？Leaveyersisteraloneonthestreet。It’slikeIcanneverbeatanysenseintoyerdamnedwoodenhead。"
Theurchinraisedhisvoiceindefiancetohisparentandcontinuedhisattacks。Thebabebawledtremendously，protestingwithgreatviolence。Duringhissister’shastymanoeuvres，hewasdraggedbythearm。
Finallytheprocessionplungedintooneofthegruesomedoorways。
Theycrawledupdarkstairwaysandalongcold，gloomyhalls。
Atlastthefatherpushedopenadoorandtheyenteredalightedroominwhichalargewomanwasrampant。
Shestoppedinacareerfromaseethingstovetoapan-coveredtable。
Asthefatherandchildrenfiledinshepeeredatthem。
"Eh，what？Beenfightin’agin，byGawd！"ShethrewherselfuponJimmie。Theurchintriedtodartbehindtheothersandinthescufflethebabe，Tommie，wasknockeddown。Heprotestedwithhisusualvehemence，becausetheyhadbruisedhistendershinsagainstatableleg。
Themother’smassiveshouldersheavedwithanger。Graspingtheurchinbytheneckandshouldersheshookhimuntilherattled。
Shedraggedhimtoanunholysink，and，soakingaraginwater，begantoscrubhislaceratedfacewithit。Jimmiescreamedinpainandtriedtotwisthisshouldersoutoftheclaspofthehugearms。
Thebabesatonthefloorwatchingthescene，hisfaceincontortionslikethatofawomanatatragedy。Thefather，withanewly-ladenedpipeinhismouth，crouchedonabacklesschairnearthestove。
Jimmie’scriesannoyedhim。Heturnedaboutandbellowedathiswife：
"Letthedamnedkidaloneforaminute，willyeh，Mary？Yeralluspoundin’’im。WhenIcomenightsIcan’tgitnorest’causeyeralluspoundin’akid。Letup，d’yehhear？Don’tbealluspoundin’akid。"
Thewoman’soperationsontheurchininstantlyincreasedinviolence。
Atlastshetossedhimtoacornerwherehelimplylaycursingandweeping。
Thewifeputherimmensehandsonherhipsandwithachieftain-likestrideapproachedherhusband。
"Ho，"shesaid，withagreatgruntofcontempt。"An’whatinthedevilareyoustickin’yournosefor？"
Thebabecrawledunderthetableand，turning，peeredoutcautiously。Theraggedgirlretreatedandtheurchininthecornerdrewhislegscarefullybeneathhim。
Themanpuffedhispipecalmlyandputhisgreatmuddedbootsonthebackpartofthestove。
"Gotehhell，"hemurmured，tranquilly。
Thewomanscreamedandshookherfistsbeforeherhusband’seyes。Theroughyellowofherfaceandneckflaredsuddenlycrimson。Shebegantohowl。
Hepuffedimperturbablyathispipeforatime，butfinallyaroseandbegantolookoutatthewindowintothedarkeningchaosofbackyards。
"You’vebeendrinkin’，Mary，"hesaid。"You’dbetterletuponthebot’，ol’woman，oryou’llgitdone。"
"You’realiar。Iain’thadadrop，"sheroaredinreply。
Theyhadaluridaltercation，inwhichtheydamnedeachother’ssoulswithfrequence。
Thebabewasstaringoutfromunderthetable，hissmallfaceworkinginhisexcitement。
Theraggedgirlwentstealthilyovertothecornerwheretheurchinlay。
"Areyehshurtedmuch，Jimmie？"shewhisperedtimidly。
"Notadamnbit！See？"growledthelittleboy。
"WillIwashdehblood？"
"Naw！"
"WillI——"
"WhenIcatchdatRileykidI’llbreak’isface！Dat’sright！
See？"
Heturnedhisfacetothewallasifresolvedtogrimlybidehistime。
Inthequarrelbetweenhusbandandwife，thewomanwasvictor。
Themangrabbedhishatandrushedfromtheroom，apparentlydetermineduponavengefuldrunk。Shefollowedtothedoorandthunderedathimashemadehiswaydownstairs。
Shereturnedandstirreduptheroomuntilherchildrenwerebobbingaboutlikebubbles。
"Gitoutadehway，"shepersistentlybawled，wavingfeetwiththeirdishevelledshoesneartheheadsofherchildren。
Sheshroudedherself，puffingandsnorting，inacloudofsteamatthestove，andeventuallyextractedafrying-panfullofpotatoesthathissed。
Sheflourishedit。"Cometehyersuppers，now，"shecriedwithsuddenexasperation。"Hurryup，now，erI’llhelpyeh！"
Thechildrenscrambledhastily。Withprodigiousclattertheyarrangedthemselvesattable。Thebabesatwithhisfeetdanglinghighfromaprecariousinfantchairandgorgedhissmallstomach。
Jimmieforced，withfeverishrapidity，thegrease-envelopedpiecesbetweenhiswoundedlips。Maggie，withsideglancesoffearofinterruption，atelikeasmallpursuedtigress。
Themothersatblinkingatthem。Shedeliveredreproaches，swallowedpotatoesanddrankfromayellow-brownbottle。
AfteratimehermoodchangedandsheweptasshecarriedlittleTommieintoanotherroomandlaidhimtosleepwithhisfistsdoubledinanoldquiltoffadedredandgreengrandeur。Thenshecameandmoanedbythestove。
Sherockedtoandfrouponachair，sheddingtearsandcrooningmiserablytothetwochildrenabouttheir"poormother"and"yerfader，damn’issoul。"
Thelittlegirlploddedbetweenthetableandthechairwithadish-panonit。Shetotteredonhersmalllegsbeneathburdensofdishes。
Jimmiesatnursinghisvariouswounds。Hecastfurtiveglancesathismother。Hispractisedeyeperceivedhergraduallyemergefromamuddledmistofsentimentuntilherbrainburnedindrunkenheat。Hesatbreathless。
Maggiebrokeaplate。
Themotherstartedtoherfeetasifpropelled。
"GoodGawd，"shehowled。Hereyesglitteredonherchildwithsuddenhatred。Theferventredofherfaceturnedalmosttopurple。Thelittleboyrantothehalls，shriekinglikeamonkinanearthquake。
Heflounderedaboutindarknessuntilhefoundthestairs。Hestumbled，panic-stricken，tothenextfloor。Anoldwomanopenedadoor。
Alightbehindherthrewaflareontheurchin’squiveringface。
"Eh，Gawd，child，whatisitdistime？Isyerfaderbeatin’
yermudder，oryermudderbeatin’yerfader？"
chapter03
ChapterIII
Jimmieandtheoldwomanlistenedlonginthehall。Abovethemuffledroarofconversation，thedismalwailingsofbabiesatnight，thethumpingoffeetinunseencorridorsandrooms，mingledwiththesoundofvariedhoarseshoutingsinthestreetandtherattlingofwheelsovercobbles，theyheardthescreamsofthechildandtheroarsofthemotherdieawaytoafeeblemoaningandasubduedbassmuttering。
Theoldwomanwasagnarledandleatherypersonagewhocoulddon，atwill，anexpressionofgreatvirtue。Shepossessedasmallmusic-boxcapableofonetune，andacollectionof"Godblessyehs"
pitchedinassortedkeysoffervency。EachdayshetookapositionuponthestonesofFifthAvenue，whereshecrookedherlegsunderherandcrouchedimmovableandhideous，likeanidol。Shereceiveddailyasmallsuminpennies。Itwascontributed，forthemostpart，bypersonswhodidnotmaketheirhomesinthatvicinity。
Once，whenaladyhaddroppedherpurseonthesidewalk，thegnarledwomanhadgrabbeditandsmuggleditwithgreatdexteritybeneathhercloak。Whenshewasarrestedshehadcursedtheladyintoapartialswoon，andwithheragedlimbs，twistedfromrheumatism，hadalmostkickedthestomachoutofahugepolicemanwhoseconductuponthatoccasionshereferredtowhenshesaid：
"Thepolice，damn’em。"
"Eh，Jimmie，it’scursedshame，"shesaid。"Go，now，likeadearan’buymeacan，an’ifyermudderraises’ellallnightyehscansleephere。"
Jimmietookatenderedtin-pailandsevenpenniesanddeparted。
Hepassedintothesidedoorofasaloonandwenttothebar。
Straininguponhistoesheraisedthepailandpenniesashighashisarmswouldlethim。Hesawtwohandsthrustdownandtakethem。
Directlythesamehandsletdownthefilledpailandheleft。
Infrontofthegruesomedoorwayhemetalurchingfigure。
Itwashisfather，swayingaboutonuncertainlegs。
"Givemedehcan。See？"saidtheman，threateningly。
"Ah，comeoff！Igotdiscanferdatol’womanan’it’udbedirttehswipeit。See？"criedJimmie。
Thefatherwrenchedthepailfromtheurchin。Hegraspeditinbothhandsandliftedittohismouth。Hegluedhislipstotheunderedgeandtiltedhishead。Hishairythroatswelleduntilitseemedtogrownearhischin。Therewasatremendousgulpingmovementandthebeerwasgone。
Themancaughthisbreathandlaughed。Hehithissonontheheadwiththeemptypail。Asitrolledclangingintothestreet，Jimmiebegantoscreamandkickedrepeatedlyathisfather’sshins。
"Lookatdehdirtwhatyehdoneme，"heyelled。"Dehol’
woman’illberaisin’hell。"
Heretreatedtothemiddleofthestreet，butthemandidnotpursue。Hestaggeredtowardthedoor。
"I’llclubhelloutayehwhenIketchyeh，"heshouted，anddisappeared。
Duringtheeveninghehadbeenstandingagainstabardrinkingwhiskiesanddeclaringtoallcomers，confidentially："Myhomereg’larlivin’hell！Damndes’place！Reg’larhell！
WhydoIcomean’drin’whisk’herethishway？’Causehomereg’larlivin’hell！"
Jimmiewaitedalongtimeinthestreetandthencreptwarilyupthroughthebuilding。Hepassedwithgreatcautionthedoorofthegnarledwoman，andfinallystoppedoutsidehishomeandlistened。
Hecouldhearhismothermovingheavilyaboutamongthefurnitureoftheroom。Shewaschantinginamournfulvoice，occasionallyinterjectingburstsofvolcanicwrathatthefather，who，Jimmiejudged，hadsunkdownonthefloororinacorner。
"Whydehblazesdon’cheretrytehkeepJimfromfightin’？
I’llbreakherjaw，"shesuddenlybellowed。
Themanmumbledwithdrunkenindifference。"Ah，wha’dehhell。W’a’sodds？Wha’makeskick？"
"Becausehetears’isclothes，yehdamnfool，"criedthewomaninsupremewrath。
Thehusbandseemedtobecomearoused。"Gotehhell，"hethunderedfiercelyinreply。Therewasacrashagainstthedoorandsomethingbrokeintoclatteringfragments。Jimmiepartiallysuppressedahowlanddarteddownthestairway。Belowhepausedandlistened。Heheardhowlsandcurses，groansandshrieks，confusinglyinchorusasifabattlewereraging。Withallwasthecrashofsplinteringfurniture。Theeyesoftheurchinglaredinfearthatoneofthemwoulddiscoverhim。
Curiousfacesappearedindoorways，andwhisperedcommentspassedtoandfro。"Ol’Johnson’sraisin’hellagin。"
Jimmiestooduntilthenoisesceasedandtheotherinhabitantsofthetenementhadallyawnedandshuttheirdoors。Thenhecrawledupstairswiththecautionofaninvaderofapantherden。
Soundsoflaboredbreathingcamethroughthebrokendoor-panels。
Hepushedthedooropenandentered，quaking。
Aglowfromthefirethrewredhuesoverthebarefloor，thecrackedandsoiledplastering，andtheoverturnedandbrokenfurniture。
Inthemiddleofthefloorlayhismotherasleep。Inonecorneroftheroomhisfather’slimpbodyhungacrosstheseatofachair。
Theurchinstoleforward。Hebegantoshiverindreadofawakeninghisparents。Hismother’sgreatchestwasheavingpainfully。Jimmiepausedandlookeddownather。Herfacewasinflamedandswollenfromdrinking。Heryellowbrowsshadedeye-
lidsthathadbrownblue。Hertangledhairtossedinwavesoverherforehead。Hermouthwassetinthesamelinesofvindictivehatredthatithad，perhaps，borneduringthefight。Herbare，redarmswerethrownoutaboveherheadinpositionsofexhaustion，something，mayhap，likethoseofasatedvillain。
Theurchinbendedoverhismother。Hewasfearfullestsheshouldopenhereyes，andthedreadwithinhimwassostrong，thathecouldnotforbeartostare，buthungasiffascinatedoverthewoman’sgrimface。
Suddenlyhereyesopened。Theurchinfoundhimselflookingstraightintothatexpression，which，itwouldseem，hadthepowertochangehisbloodtosalt。Hehowledpiercinglyandfellbackward。
Thewomanflounderedforamoment，tossedherarmsaboutherheadasifincombat，andagainbegantosnore。
Jimmiecrawledbackintheshadowsandwaited。Anoiseinthenextroomhadfollowedhiscryatthediscoverythathismotherwasawake。Hegrovelledinthegloom，theeyesfromouthisdrawnfacerivetedupontheinterveningdoor。
Hehearditcreak，andthenthesoundofasmallvoicecametohim。"Jimmie！Jimmie！Areyehsdere？"itwhispered。
Theurchinstarted。Thethin，whitefaceofhissisterlookedathimfromthedoor-wayoftheotherroom。Shecrepttohimacrossthefloor。
Thefatherhadnotmoved，butlayinthesamedeath-likesleep。Themotherwrithedinuneasyslumber，herchestwheezingasifshewereintheagoniesofstrangulation。Outatthewindowafloridmoonwaspeeringoverdarkroofs，andinthedistancethewatersofariverglimmeredpallidly。
Thesmallframeoftheraggedgirlwasquivering。Herfeatureswerehaggardfromweeping，andhereyesgleamedfromfear。
Shegraspedtheurchin’sarminherlittletremblinghandsandtheyhuddledinacorner。Theeyesofbothweredrawn，bysomeforce，tostareatthewoman’sface，fortheythoughtsheneedonlytoawakeandallfiendswouldcomefrombelow。
Theycroucheduntiltheghost-mistsofdawnappearedatthewindow，drawingclosetothepanes，andlookinginattheprostrate，heavingbodyofthemother。
chapter04
ChapterIV
Thebabe，Tommie，died。Hewentawayinawhite，insignificantcoffin，hissmallwaxenhandclutchingaflowerthatthegirl，Maggie，hadstolenfromanItalian。
SheandJimmielived。
Theinexperiencedfibresoftheboy’seyeswerehardenedatanearlyage。Hebecameayoungmanofleather。Helivedsomeredyearswithoutlaboring。Duringthattimehissneerbecamechronic。
Hestudiedhumannatureinthegutter，andfounditnoworsethanhethoughthehadreasontobelieveit。Heneverconceivedarespectfortheworld，becausehehadbegunwithnoidolsthatithadsmashed。
Hecladhissoulinarmorbymeansofhappeninghilariouslyinatamissionchurchwhereamancomposedhissermonsof"yous。"
Whiletheygotwarmatthestove，hetoldhishearersjustwherehecalculatedtheystoodwiththeLord。Manyofthesinnerswereimpatientoverthepictureddepthsoftheirdegradation。Theywerewaitingforsoup-tickets。
Areaderofwordsofwind-demonsmighthavebeenabletoseetheportionsofadialoguepasstoandfrobetweentheexhorterandhishearers。
"Youaredamned，"saidthepreacher。Andthereaderofsoundsmighthaveseenthereplygoforthfromtheraggedpeople："Where’soursoup？"
Jimmieandacompanionsatinarearseatandcommenteduponthethingsthatdidn’tconcernthem，withallthefreedomofEnglishgentlemen。WhentheygrewthirstyandwentouttheirmindsconfusedthespeakerwithChrist。
Momentarily，Jimmiewassullenwiththoughtsofahopelessaltitudewheregrewfruit。HiscompanionsaidthatifheshouldevermeetGodhewouldaskforamilliondollarsandabottleofbeer。
Jimmie’soccupationforalongtimewastostandonstreetcornersandwatchtheworldgoby，dreamingblood-reddreamsatthepassingofprettywomen。Hemenacedmankindattheintersectionsofstreets。
Onthecornershewasinlifeandoflife。Theworldwasgoingonandhewastheretoperceiveit。
Hemaintainedabelligerentattitudetowardallwell-dressedmen。Tohimfineraimentwasalliedtoweakness，andallgoodcoatscoveredfainthearts。Heandhisorderwerekings，toacertainextent，overthemenofuntarnishedclothes，becausetheselatterdreaded，perhaps，tobeeitherkilledorlaughedat。
AboveallthingshedespisedobviousChristiansandcipherswiththechrysanthemumsofaristocracyintheirbutton-holes。
Heconsideredhimselfabovebothoftheseclasses。Hewasafraidofneitherthedevilnortheleaderofsociety。
Whenhehadadollarinhispockethissatisfactionwithexistencewasthegreatestthingintheworld。So，eventually，hefeltobligedtowork。Hisfatherdiedandhismother’syearsweredividedupintoperiodsofthirtydays。
Hebecameatruckdriver。Hewasgiventhechargeofapainstakingpairofhorsesandalargerattlingtruck。Heinvadedtheturmoilandtumbleofthedown-townstreetsandlearnedtobreathemaledictorydefianceatthepolicewhooccasionallyusedtoclimbup，draghimfromhisperchandbeathim。
Inthelowerpartofthecityhedailyinvolvedhimselfinhideoustangles。Ifheandhisteamchancedtobeintherearhepreservedademeanorofserenity，crossinghislegsandburstingforthintoyellswhenfootpassengerstookdangerousdivesbeneaththenosesofhischampinghorses。Hesmokedhispipecalmlyforheknewthathispaywasmarchingon。
Ifinthefrontandthekey-truckofchaos，heenteredterrificallyintothequarrelthatwasragingtoandfroamongthedriversontheirhighseats，andsometimesroaredoathsandviolentlygothimselfarrested。
Afteratimehissneergrewsothatitturneditsglareuponallthings。Hebecamesosharpthathebelievedinnothing。
Tohimthepolicewerealwaysactuatedbymalignantimpulsesandtherestoftheworldwascomposed，forthemostpart，ofdespicablecreatureswhowerealltryingtotakeadvantageofhimandwithwhom，indefense，hewasobligedtoquarrelonallpossibleoccasions。Hehimselfoccupiedadown-troddenpositionthathadaprivatebutdistinctelementofgrandeurinitsisolation。
Themostcompletecasesofaggravatedidiocywere，tohismind，rampantuponthefrontplatformsofallthestreetcars。Atfirsthistonguestrovewiththesebeings，butheeventuallywassuperior。
HebecameimmuredlikeanAfricancow。Inhimgrewamajesticcontemptforthosestringsofstreetcarsthatfollowedhimlikeintentbugs。
Hefellintothehabit，whenstartingonalongjourney，offixinghiseyeonahighanddistantobject，commandinghishorsestobegin，andthengoingintoasortofatranceofobservation。
Multitudesofdriversmighthowlinhisrear，andpassengersmightloadhimwithopprobrium，hewouldnotawakenuntilsomebluepolicemanturnedredandbegantofrenziedlytearbridlesandbeatthesoftnosesoftheresponsiblehorses。
Whenhepausedtocontemplatetheattitudeofthepolicetowardhimselfandhisfellows，hebelievedthattheyweretheonlymeninthecitywhohadnorights。Whendrivingabout，hefeltthathewasheldliablebythepoliceforanythingthatmightoccurinthestreets，andwasthecommonpreyofallenergeticofficials。
Inrevenge，heresolvednevertomoveoutofthewayofanything，untilformidablecircumstances，oramuchlargermanthanhimselfforcedhimtoit。
Foot-passengersweremerepesteringflieswithaninsanedisregardfortheirlegsandhisconvenience。Hecouldnotconceivetheirmaniacaldesirestocrossthestreets。Theirmadnesssmotehimwitheternalamazement。Hewascontinuallystormingatthemfromhisthrone。Hesataloftanddenouncedtheirfranticleaps，plunges，divesandstraddles。
Whentheywouldthrustat，orparry，thenosesofhischampinghorses，makingthemswingtheirheadsandmovetheirfeet，disturbingasoliddreamyrepose，hesworeatthemenasfools，forhehimselfcouldperceivethatProvidencehadcauseditclearlytobewritten，thatheandhisteamhadtheunalienablerighttostandintheproperpathofthesunchariot，andiftheysominded，obstructitsmissionortakeawheeloff。
And，perhaps，ifthegod-driverhadanungovernabledesiretostepdown，putuphisflame-coloredfistsandmanfullydisputetherightofway，hewouldhaveprobablybeenimmediatelyopposedbyascowlingmortalwithtwosetsofveryhardknuckles。
Itispossible，perhaps，thatthisyoungmanwouldhavederided，inanaxle-widealley，theapproachofaflyingferryboat。Yetheachievedarespectforafireengine。Asonechargedtowardhistruck，hewoulddrivefearfullyuponasidewalk，threateninguntoldpeoplewithannihilation。Whenanenginewouldstrikeamassofblockedtrucks，splittingitintofragments，asablowannihilatesacakeofice，Jimmie’steamcouldusuallybeobservedhighandsafe，withwholewheels，onthesidewalk。
Thefearfulcomingoftheenginecouldbreakupthemostintricatemuddleofheavyvehiclesatwhichthepolicehadbeenswearingforthehalfofanhour。
Afireenginewasenshrinedinhisheartasanappallingthingthathelovedwithadistantdog-likedevotion。Theyhadbeenknowntooverturnstreet-cars。Thoseleapinghorses，strikingsparksfromthecobblesintheirforwardlunge，werecreaturestobeineffablyadmired。Theclangofthegongpiercedhisbreastlikeanoiseofrememberedwar。
WhenJimmiewasalittleboy，hebegantobearrested。
Beforehereachedagreatage，hehadafairrecord。
Hedevelopedtoogreatatendencytoclimbdownfromhistruckandfightwithotherdrivers。Hehadbeeninquiteanumberofmiscellaneousfights，andinsomegeneralbarroomrowsthathadbecomeknowntothepolice。OncehehadbeenarrestedforassaultingaChinaman。Twowomenindifferentpartsofthecity，andentirelyunknowntoeachother，causedhimconsiderableannoyancebybreakingforth，simultaneously，atfatefulintervals，intowailingsaboutmarriageandsupportandinfants。
Nevertheless，hehad，onacertainstar-litevening，saidwonderinglyandquitereverently："Dehmoonlookslikehell，don’tit？"
chapter05
ChapterV
Thegirl，Maggie，blossomedinamudpuddle。Shegrewtobeamostrareandwonderfulproductionofatenementdistrict，aprettygirl。
NoneofthedirtofRumAlleyseemedtobeinherveins。
Thephilosophersup-stairs，down-stairsandonthesamefloor，puzzledoverit。
Whenachild，playingandfightingwithgaminsinthestreet，dirtdisguisedher。Attiredintattersandgrime，shewentunseen。
Therecameatime，however，whentheyoungmenofthevicinitysaid："DatJohnsongoilisaputygoodlooker。"Aboutthisperiodherbrotherremarkedtoher："Mag，I’lltellyehdis！See？
Yeh’veeddergottehgotehhellorgotehwork！"Whereuponshewenttowork，havingthefeminineaversionofgoingtohell。
Byachance，shegotapositioninanestablishmentwheretheymadecollarsandcuffs。Shereceivedastoolandamachineinaroomwheresattwentygirlsofvariousshadesofyellowdiscontent。
Sheperchedonthestoolandtreadledathermachineallday，turningoutcollars，thenameofwhosebrandcouldbenotedforitsirrelevancytoanythinginconnectionwithcollars。Atnightshereturnedhometohermother。
Jimmiegrewlargeenoughtotakethevaguepositionofheadofthefamily。Asincumbentofthatoffice，hestumbledup-stairslateatnight，ashisfatherhaddonebeforehim。Hereeledabouttheroom，swearingathisrelations，orwenttosleeponthefloor。
Themotherhadgraduallyarisentothatdegreeoffamethatshecouldbandywordswithheracquaintancesamongthepolice-
justices。Court-officialscalledherbyherfirstname。
Whensheappearedtheypursuedacoursewhichhadbeentheirsformonths。
Theyinvariablygrinnedandcriedout："Hello，Mary，youhereagain？"Hergreyheadwaggedinmanyacourt。Shealwaysbesiegedthebenchwithvolubleexcuses，explanations，apologiesandprayers。Herflamingfaceandrollingeyeswereasortoffamiliarsightontheisland。Shemeasuredtimebymeansofsprees，andwaseternallyswollenanddishevelled。
Onedaytheyoungman，Pete，whoasaladhadsmittentheDevil’sRowurchininthebackoftheheadandputtoflighttheantagonistsofhisfriend，Jimmie，strutteduponthescene。
HemetJimmieonedayonthestreet，promisedtotakehimtoaboxingmatchinWilliamsburg，andcalledforhimintheevening。
MaggieobservedPete。
HesatonatableintheJohnsonhomeanddangledhischeckedlegswithanenticingnonchalance。Hishairwascurleddownoverhisforeheadinanoiledbang。Hisratherpuggednoseseemedtorevoltfromcontactwithabristlingmoustacheofshort，wire-likehairs。Hisbluedouble-breastedcoat，edgedwithblackbraid，buttonedclosetoaredpufftie，andhispatent-leathershoeslookedlikemurder-fittedweapons。
Hismannerismsstampedhimasamanwhohadacorrectsenseofhispersonalsuperiority。Therewasvalorandcontemptforcircumstancesintheglanceofhiseye。Hewavedhishandslikeamanoftheworld，whodismissesreligionandphilosophy，andsays"Fudge。"Hehadcertainlyseeneverythingandwitheachcurlofhislip，hedeclaredthatitamountedtonothing。Maggiethoughthemustbeaveryelegantandgracefulbartender。
HewastellingtalestoJimmie。
Maggiewatchedhimfurtively，withhalf-closedeyes，litwithavagueinterest。
"Hullygee！Deymakesmetired，"hesaid。"Mos’e’rydaysomefarmercomesinan’triestehrundehshop。See？Butdeygitst’rowedrightout！Ijoltdemrightoutindehstreetbeforedeyknowswheredeyis！See？"
"Sure，"saidJimmie。
"Derewasamugcomeindehplacedehodderdaywidanidearhewusgoin’tehowndehplace！Hullygee，hewusgoin’tehowndehplace！Iseehehadastillonan’Ididn’wannagiv’imnostuff，soIsays：’Gitdehhelloutaherean’don’makenotrouble，’Isayslikedat！See？’Gitdehhelloutaherean’don’
makenotrouble’；likedat。’Gitdehhelloutahere，’Isays。
See？"
Jimmienoddedunderstandingly。Overhisfeaturesplayedaneagerdesiretostatetheamountofhisvalorinasimilarcrisis，butthenarratorproceeded。
"Well，dehblokiehesays：’T’hellwidit！Iain’lookin’fornoscrap，’hesays（See？），’but’hesays，’I’m’spectablecit’zenan’Iwannadrinkan’purtydamnsoon，too。’See？’Dehhell，’
I
says。Likedat！’Dehhell，’Isays。See？’Don’
makenotrouble，’Isays。Likedat。’Don’makenotrouble。’
See？Dendehmughesquaredoffan’saidhewasfineassilkwidhisdukes（See？）an’hewannedadrinkdamnquick。Dat’swhathesaid。
See？"
"Sure，"repeatedJimmie。
Petecontinued。"Say，Ijes’jumpeddehbaran’dehwayI
plunkeddatblokiewasgreat。See？Dat’sright！Indehjaw！
See？Hullygee，het’rowedaspittoontruedehfrontwindee。
Say，ItautI’ddropdead。Butdehboss，hecomesinafteran’hesays，’Pete，yehsdonejes’right！Yeh’vegotakeeporderan’it’sallright。’See？’It’sallright，’hesays。Dat’swhathesaid。"
Thetwoheldatechnicaldiscussion。
"Datblokewasadandy，"saidPete，inconclusion，"buthehadn’oughtamadenotrouble。Dat’swhatIsaystehdem：’Don’
comeinherean’makenotrouble，’Isays，likedat。’Don’makenotrouble。’See？"
AsJimmieandhisfriendexchangedtalesdescriptiveoftheirprowess，Maggieleanedbackintheshadow。HereyesdweltwonderinglyandratherwistfullyuponPete’sface。Thebrokenfurniture，grimeywalls，andgeneraldisorderanddirtofherhomeofasuddenappearedbeforeherandbegantotakeapotentialaspect。Pete’saristocraticpersonlookedasifitmightsoil。Shelookedkeenlyathim，occasionally，wonderingifhewasfeelingcontempt。ButPeteseemedtobeenvelopedinreminiscence。
"Hullygee，"saidhe，"dosemugscan’tphaseme。DeyknowsI
kinwipeupdehstreetwidanyt’reeofdem。"
Whenhesaid，"Ah，whatdehhell，"hisvoicewasburdenedwithdisdainfortheinevitableandcontemptforanythingthatfatemightcompelhimtoendure。
Maggieperceivedthatherewasthebeauidealofaman。Herdimthoughtswereoftensearchingforfarawaylandswhere，asGodsays，thelittlehillssingtogetherinthemorning。Underthetreesofherdream-gardenstherehadalwayswalkedalover。
chapter06
ChapterVI
PetetooknoteofMaggie。
"Say，Mag，I’mstuckonyershape。It’soutasight，"hesaid，parenthetically，withanaffablegrin。
Ashebecameawarethatshewaslisteningclosely，hegrewstillmoreeloquentinhisdescriptionsofvarioushappeningsinhiscareer。Itappearedthathewasinvincibleinfights。
"Why，"hesaid，referringtoamanwithwhomhehadhadamisunderstanding，"datmugscrappedlikeadamndago。Dat’sright。
Hewasdeadeasy。See？Hetau’thewasascrapper。
Buthefoun’
outdiff’ent！Hullygee。"
Hewalkedtoandfrointhesmallroom，whichseemedthentogrowevensmallerandunfittoholdhisdignity，theattributeofasupremewarrior。Thatswingoftheshouldersthathadfrozenthetimidwhenhewasbutaladhadincreasedwithhisgrowthandeducationattheratiooftentoone。It，combinedwiththesneeruponhismouth，toldmankindthattherewasnothinginspacewhichcouldappallhim。Maggiemarvelledathimandsurroundedhimwithgreatness。Shevaguelytriedtocalculatethealtitudeofthepinnaclefromwhichhemusthavelookeddownuponher。
"Imetachumpdehodderdaywayupindehcity，"hesaid。"I
wasgoin’tehseeafrien’ofmine。WhenIwasa-crossin’dehstreetdehchumprunnedplumpintehme，an’denheturnsaroun’an’
says，’Yerinsolen’ruffin，’hesays，likedat。’Oh，gee，’Isays，’oh，gee，gotehhellandgitoffdeheart’，’Isays，likedat。
See？’Gotehhellan’gitoffdeheart’，’likedat。Dendehblokiehegotwild。HesaysIwasacontempt’blescoun’el，ersomet’inglikedat，an’hesaysIwasdoom’teheverlastin’
pe’ditionan’alllikedat。’Gee，’Isays，’gee！DehhellIam，’
Isays。’DehhellIam，’likedat。An’denIslugged’im。
See？"
WithJimmieinhiscompany，PetedepartedinasortofablazeofgloryfromtheJohnsonhome。Maggie，leaningfromthewindow，watchedhimashewalkeddownthestreet。
Herewasaformidablemanwhodisdainedthestrengthofaworldfulloffists。Herewasonewhohadcontemptforbrass-
clothedpower；onewhoseknucklescoulddefiantlyringagainstthegraniteoflaw。Hewasaknight。
Thetwomenwentfromundertheglimmeringstreet-lampandpassedintoshadows。
Turning，Maggiecontemplatedthedark，dust-stainedwalls，andthescantandcrudefurnitureofherhome。Aclock，inasplinteredandbatteredoblongboxofvarnishedwood，shesuddenlyregardedasanabomination。Shenotedthatittickedraspingly。
Thealmostvanishedflowersinthecarpet-pattern，sheconceivedtobenewlyhideous。Somefaintattemptsshehadmadewithblueribbon，tofreshentheappearanceofadingycurtain，shenowsawtobepiteous。
ShewonderedwhatPetedinedon。
Shereflecteduponthecollarandcufffactory。Itbegantoappeartohermindasadrearyplaceofendlessgrinding。Pete’selegantoccupationbroughthim，nodoubt，intocontactwithpeoplewhohadmoneyandmanners。itwasprobablethathehadalargeacquaintanceofprettygirls。Hemusthavegreatsumsofmoneytospend。
Tohertheearthwascomposedofhardshipsandinsults。Shefeltinstantadmirationforamanwhoopenlydefiedit。Shethoughtthatifthegrimangelofdeathshouldclutchhisheart，Petewouldshrughisshouldersandsay："Oh，ev’ryt’inggoes。"
Sheanticipatedthathewouldcomeagainshortly。Shespentsomeofherweek’spayinthepurchaseoffloweredcretonneforalambrequin。Shemadeitwithinfinitecareandhungittotheslightly-careeningmantel，overthestove，inthekitchen。Shestudieditwithpainfulanxietyfromdifferentpointsintheroom。
ShewantedittolookwellonSundaynightwhen，perhaps，Jimmie’sfriendwouldcome。OnSundaynight，however，Petedidnotappear。
Afterwardthegirllookedatitwithasenseofhumiliation。
ShewasnowconvincedthatPetewassuperiortoadmirationforlambrequins。
AfeweveningslaterPeteenteredwithfascinatinginnovationsinhisapparel。Asshehadseenhimtwiceandhehaddifferentsuitsoneachtime，Maggiehadadimimpressionthathiswardrobewasprodigiouslyextensive。
"Say，Mag，"hesaid，"putonyerbes’dudsFridaynightan’
I’lltakeyehstehdehshow。See？"
Hespentafewmomentsinflourishinghisclothesandthenvanished，withouthavingglancedatthelambrequin。
OvertheeternalcollarsandcuffsinthefactoryMaggiespentthemostofthreedaysinmakingimaginarysketchesofPeteandhisdailyenvironment。Sheimaginedsomehalfdozenwomeninlovewithhimandthoughthemustleandangerouslytowardanindefiniteone，whomshepicturedwithgreatcharmsofperson，butwithanaltogethercontemptibledisposition。
Shethoughthemustliveinablareofpleasure。Hehadfriends，andpeoplewhowereafraidofhim。
ShesawthegoldenglitteroftheplacewherePetewastotakeher。Anentertainmentofmanyhuesandmanymelodieswhereshewasafraidshemightappearsmallandmouse-colored。
HermotherdrankwhiskeyallFridaymorning。WithluridfaceandtossinghairshecursedanddestroyedfurnitureallFridayafternoon。WhenMaggiecamehomeathalf-pastsixhermotherlayasleepamidstthewreckofchairsandatable。Fragmentsofvarioushouseholdutensilswerescatteredaboutthefloor。
Shehadventedsomephaseofdrunkenfuryuponthelambrequin。
Itlayinabedraggledheapinthecorner。
"Hah，"shesnorted，sittingupsuddenly，"wheredehhellyehbeen？Whydehhelldon’yehcomehomeearlier？Beenloafin’
’rounddehstreets。Yergettin’tehbeareg’lardevil。"
WhenPetearrivedMaggie，inawornblackdress，waswaitingforhiminthemidstofafloorstrewnwithwreckage。Thecurtainatthewindowhadbeenpulledbyaheavyhandandhungbyonetack，danglingtoandfrointhedraftthroughthecracksatthesash。
Theknotsofblueribbonsappearedlikeviolatedflowers。Thefireinthestovehadgoneout。Thedisplacedlidsandopendoorsshowedheapsofsullengreyashes。Theremnantsofameal，ghastly，likedeadflesh，layinacorner。Maggie’sredmother，stretchedonthefloor，blasphemedandgaveherdaughterabadname。