Twentyothermenwouldwillinglyhavebrokenanarmforsuchareward；
　　andtherecklessnessdisplayedduringthenextfewdayswassomethingawful。Butshesawthattoo，——littleescapedthosebigblueeyes，——
　　and，ascribingittodrink，gaveaprettystronglectureonthebibuloushabitsofBigStoneHole，athernextconcert。
　　TherewasanearnestmeetingintheAmericanBarthatnight，atwhichthefollowingmotionwasputandcarriedunanimously："Onandafterthisdate，anydrunkenmanisliabletobeshotatsight，unlesshisfriendscanprovethathehasdugoverthreecaratsofdiamondsduringtheday。"Andthen，likeotherreformers，theywentontomoresweepingmeasures："Onlyknife-fightingtotakeplaceinthecamp。Alldisputeswithpistols，unlessofaverypressingnature，tobesettledoutofearshotofDan’shouse。"Therewereevensomehintsofappointingaclosing-timeforthesaloon——"itwouldmaketheplacesomuchmorelikehome。"Butthepromotereventuallywithdrewhissuggestion，asitwasjustlyfeltthatsuchamotionwouldinterferewiththelibertyofthesubjecttoomuch。Butastormofcheersburstforthwhenitwasproposedtotransferthediamond-safefromWerstein’skeepingtoacornerofthenewgoddess’sshrine。
　　EvenSatan，thecat，joinedinthegeneraladoration，and，morefavouredthantherest，enjoyedattimesachastesalutefromMissMusgrave’sripe-redlips。
　　Never，insoshortaspaceoftime，hadacommunitybeenmorechangedforthebetterthanwasthatofBigStoneHole。Neverhadwoman’shumanisinginfluencemadeitselfmoreclearlyfelt。Theazurecloudofblasphemythathungovertheworkingsandtherestofthecampwasreplacedagainbythenormaldust。Eachmantriedtobeautifytheinsideofhisshantytothebestofhismeansandideas，fortherewasnoknowingwhentheonly"she"wouldtakeitintoherpretty，capriciousheadtopayacall。InthislatterlinetheScholarhadadecidedpull。Educationhadtaughthimtaste；necessity，handiness；
　　andbyaidofthetwohetransformedhisrudedwellingintosomethingapproachingtheroomsinwhichheusedtodawdleawaythehappyhours，timeago。Itwaspartlydrawing-room，partlycuriosity-shop。Cups，saucers，andspoonsappearedasifbymagicians’call，andoneblazingafternoonthenewsflashedroundthediamond-pitsthatMissMusgravewas"takingafternoonteawiththeScholar。"ButwhentheScholarsawthedismayhissimpleacthadspreadaroundhim，hedissipateditwithakindlylaughandafewreassuringwords。
　　"Don’tmindme，boys。Iwasonlydoingthecivilinapurelyplatonicmanner。MissMusgraveisnothingtome，noramIanythingtoher。
　　Heavenforbid！I’mtoohardabargainforanygirl。IfanyoneofyoumarriesherI’llactashisbestmanifheasksmeto，andwishhimeveryfelicitywithoutathoughtofregret。"
　　"BullyfortheScholar！"yelledthedelightedcrowd；andMissMusgrave’ssmilesweremoresoughtafterthanever。
　　Sothingswentondayafterday，weekafterweek，tillMissMusgravebecamelittleshortofanautocraticempress。Butstillsheshowednosignsoftakinguntoherselfaconsort；shekeptallmenatacousinlydistance，andthosewhofeltintimateenoughtoaddressheras"MissMary"accountedthemselvesuncommonlyfortunate。Thusthelittlemachineofstateworkedperfectlyharmoniously，andBigStoneHolewasassteadyandprosperousasettlementasneedbe。
　　Hadthesediggersrefreshedtheirmindsbylookingbackforhistoricalparallels，theymighthavebeenpreparedinsomedegreeforMissMusgrave’sexitfromamongthem，butasnoneofthemindulgedinsuchretrospectionsthemannerofittookthecampsomewhatbysurprise。
　　Itwasfirstdiscoveredinthiswise。Workwasoverfortheday。TheKaffirshadbeensearchedandhadreturnedtotheirkraal。Pipeswerebeinglitaftertheeveningmeal，andapicturesqueassemblywasgroupingitselfinanexpectantsemicircleonthesun-bakedturfinfrontofMissMusgrave’sdwelling。Shewasusuallyoutsidetowelcomethefirstcomers，andherabsencenaturallyformedthestapletopicofconversation。Diggerafterdiggerarrived，threwhimselfdown，andjoinedinthegeneralwondermentastowhyMissMarywasn’tthere，andatlastsomeonehazardedasuggestionthatshe"mustbeasleep。"
　　Therewasageneralepidemicofnoisycoughingforafullminute，andthensilenceforanother，butnosoundfromwithinthehut。
　　"Perhapsshe’sill，"wasthenextsurmise。
　　Aftertheetiquettetobefollowedhadbeenstrictlydiscussed，andarigidcourseofproceduresetdown，theScholargotupandknockedatthedoor。Hereceivednoanswer，andsoknockedagain——knockedseveraltimes，infact，andthenrattledthehandlevigorously，butwithoutresult。
　　"Betteropenit，"saidavoice。
　　Andhedidso；andafterlookinginside，announced：
　　"She’snotthere。"
　　AtthismomentDancameup。
　　"Myolemar’’sgone，"hesaid；"an’sheain’tstampeded，neither，butwasstole。Tote-rope’sbeenuntied，an’saddlean’bridletookaswell。"
　　Therewasuncomfortablesilence，whichtheScholarbrokebyalow，long-drawnwhistle。
　　"Boys，"saidhe，"let’slookinsidethesafe。"
　　Thethreemenwhoheldthekeysbroughtthemup，theboltswereshot，andthemassivedoorswungback。Therewaseveryman’slittlesackwithhisnameonit；butsomehoworotherthesackslookedlimperthanofyore。Eachonewaseagerlyclutchedandexamined，andmanyagroanandnotafewcurseswentuponthestillnightairasitwasfoundthateverysacksaveDan’shadbeenrelievedofthemorevaluablepartofitscontents。
　　Somuchheart-breakinglabourundertheburningsunthrownawayfornothing；thedrearyworktocommenceafresh，almostfromthebeginning！Hadthethiefbeenanyordinaryone，thedenunciationwouldhavebeenunbounded；butnooneliftedhistongueveryloudlyagainstMaryMusgrave。Yetmountedmenweredespatchedonthethreetrailstobringbackthebootyifpossible，andtherestmoveddejectedlytowardtheiroldclub。ThegreasyJewdidnotattempttoconcealhisexultation。Heservedhiscustomerswithhiswickedoldfaceglowingwithsmiles，andwhenamoment’sbreathing-timecameheobserved：
　　"Weall’azhourlettlesurbrizesindiswairld，an’ImostconfaissI
　　amasdonishedmyselftolairnthatMessMosgraveisathief——"ButhereacrashingamongtheglasswareannouncedthatTommyDartmoorhadbegunshootingwithhislefthand，andHerrGustavesputteredoutfrombehindthefingersheheldbeforehisface，"AchGott！Isaynozzingmore！"
　　GREGORIO
　　BY
　　PERCYHEMINGWAY
　　I
　　ATTHEPARADISO
　　TheCafeParadisowasfullofpeople，fortheinhabitantsofAlexandriahaddined，andtheoperaseasonwasover。Theseatsateverytablewereoccupied，andthefumesofsmokefromahundredcigarspartlyhidtheladiesoftheorchestra。Asthewaiterspushedasidetheswing-doorsofthebuffetandstaggeredintothesalonwithwhisky，absinthe，andcoffee，theclickofbilliard-ballswasheard。
　　Thewindowsfacingtheseawerewideopen，fortheheatwasintense，andthemurmurofthewavesmingledwiththeplaintivevoicesoftheviolins。
　　Seatedbyatableatthefarendofthehall，GregorioLivadashummedsoftlyanaccompanimenttoSuppe’s"PoeteetPaysan，"puffingfromtimetotimeacloudletofbluesmokefromhismouth。Whenthemusicceasedhejoinedintheapplause，leaningbackhappilyinhischairasthemusicianspreparedtorepeatthelastmovement。Meanwhilehiseyeswanderedidlyoverthefacesofhisneighbors。
　　Whenthelastchordwasstruckhesawthewomenhurrydownfromtheplatformandrushtowardthetableswheretheiracquaintancessat。Heheardthemdemandbeerandcoffee，andtheydrankeagerly，forfiddlinginthatheatwasthirstywork。Hewatchedthewearywaitershasteningfromtabletotable，andheheardthevoicesaroundhimgrowmoreanimatedandthelaughtermorefrequent。Onemanwasfasteningasprayofflowersontheamplebosomoftheflautiste，whileanothersippedthebrownlagerfromtheglassofthebigdrum，andtheoldwifeoftheconductorlefthertriangleandcymbalstobegsomerosesfromanArabflower-girl。Trulytheworldwasenjoyingitself，andGregoriosmileddreamily，forthesightofsomuchgaietypleasedhim。
　　Hewishedoneofthewomenwouldcomeandtalktohim；hewouldhavelikedtochatwiththefair-hairedgirlwhoplayedthefirstviolinsowell。HebegantowonderwhyshepreferredthatuglyEnglishmanwithhisredfaceandbaldhead。Hecaughtsnatchesoftheirconversation。
　　Bah！howuninterestingitwas！fortheycouldbarelyunderstandeachother。WhatpleasuredidshefindinlisteningtohisbadFrench？andinhernativeHungarianhecouldnotevensay，"Ilove。"Whyhadshenotcometohim，GregorioLivadas，whocouldtalktoherwellandwouldnotmumblelikeanidiotandlookredanduncomfortable！Thenhesawshewasdrinkingchampagne，andhesighed。Ah，yes，theseEnglishwererich，andwomenonlycaredformoney；theywereunabletogiveuptheirluxuriesforthesakeofaman。
　　ButatthisthoughtGregorioblushedalittle。Afterall，therewasonewoman——theonlywomanheoughttothinkof——whowasnotafraidofhardshipforthesakeofherhusband。Hetriedtoexcusehimselfbyarguingthatthemusichadexcitedhim；buthefeltalittleashamed，andasasoptohisnotyetquitemurderedconsciencegotupandleftthecafe。
　　WhenheturnedintothePlaceMehemetAliherememberedsuddenlythathehadwastedhisevening。Itwasteno’clock，toolatetosetaboutthebusinesshehadintended。Hewasangrywithhimselfnowaswellasashamed。Hewanderedupanddownthesquare，lookingatthestatueofthegreatkhedive，silhouettedagainstthemoonlight，andcursedathismisfortunes。
　　Whyshouldhe，GregorioLivadas，beinneedofmoney？Hehadworkedhard，butwithoutsuccess。Hecouldhavebornehisillluckhadhealonebeenthesufferer，buthemustconsiderhischild——and，ofcourse，hiswifetoo。Hewasreallyfondofhiswifeinaway。Buthesmiledproudlyashethoughtofhisson，forwhomheschemedoutagreatfuture。HeandXantippewouldtraintheboysocarefullythathewouldgrowuptobeagreatman，and，whatwasmore，arichman。Howtheywouldlaugh，allthree，astheysatinthesplendidcafesovertheirwine，atthehardshipsthefatherhadendured！Stillhemustnotforgetthepresent，andhesorelyneededmoney。HewouldgotoAmosagain。Amoswasarichman，veryrich，andafilthyJew。Amoscouldeasilysparehimsomemoneyandrenewthelastloan。Hewasgoingtobesuccessfulnowandwouldbeabletopaygoodinterest。WhatbetterinvestmentcouldAmoshave？Surelynone。HewasgoingtosetupacafewiththemoneyatTanta，orZagazig，orevenBenhur，——yes，Benhurwasthebest，——wheretherewerefewcompetitors。Thenhewouldmakeafortune，asotherGreekshaddone，andAmoswouldbepaidinfull。Hewasnotextravagant，no；hehadthebusinessinstinctsofhisrace。
　　HalftheserichmerchantsofAlexandriahadbegunashewouldbegin；
　　hewouldsucceedastheyhadsucceeded。Thefuturewasreallyhopeful，ifhecouldonlyborrowalittlecapital。
　　WiththesethoughtssurgingthroughhisbrainGregoriopacedupanddownthepavements。AtlastheturnedintotheRuedesSoeursandstartedslowlytowardhishome。
　　Thisstreet，thesinkofAlexandria，wasatitsgayest。Thecafeswherecheapliquorissoldwerecrowded。Soldiersandsailors，nativesandtheriffraffofhalfadozennations，jostledoneanother。Thetwangingofguitarsandthetinklingofpianoswasheardfromeveryhouse。Women，underclothedandoverpainted，leanedfromtheupperwindowsandmadefrequentsalliesintothestreettocapturetheirprey。LoudvoicessanglustyEnglishchorusesandFrenchchansonnettes，andNeapolitansongstriedtoassertthemselveswhenevertheuproarceasedforamoment。Everyonetalkedhis，orher，owntongue，andgesturefilledinthegapswhenwordswerewanting。
　　Allseemeddeterminedtodegradethemselvesasmuchaspossible，andnearlyeveryoneseemedsupremelyhappy。
　　Occasionallytherewasafight，andkniveswereusedwithunerringskill；butthemountedpolicewhopatrolledthestreets，thoughovertaxed，managedtopreserveacertainamountoforder。
　　Gregoriotookverylittlenoticeofthescenesthroughwhichhepassed。Hekneweveryinchandcornerofthequarterthathadbeenhishomeforyears，andwasfamiliarwithmostofitsinhabitants。Hesighedalittleashethoughtofthemoneybeinglostandwoninthestuffyill-lightedroomsatthebackofthehouses，shutoutfromviewoftheauthorities。Likemostofhisrace，hewasfondoftheexcitementofgambling。Butofwhatusewereregretsandsighs？hehadnomoney，andmustneedsgohome。Itwasvaintotryandborrowortoaskcreditforhislosses；inthesegamblinghellswhatislostmustbeimmediatelypaid，fortempersareinflamedbydrinkandknivesarewornateachplayer’sbelt。
　　Buthesighed，nonetheless，atthehardnecessitythatcompelledhimtopassdownthestreetwithoutonceenteringthedoorsofatavern。
　　Itwasveryhot，andhehadsmokedmanycigarettes。Hewouldhavebeengladtocallforadrink。Thetavern-keepers，thoughtheywerehisfriends，expectedtobepaid。Oneortwowomenbeckonedtohim，whowouldhavewillinglyofferedhimwine，buthewasproudenoughtoignorethem。
　　Hebecamemoremoodyanddejectedashewentalong，silentandsoberamidsomuchrevelry。Whenhereachedhishousehesawadrunkenmanlyingonthethresholdasleep。HestoopedtolookintohisfaceandrecognisedanEnglishman，theforemanofsometrampintheharbour。Hekickedtherecumbentformtestilyashestrodeoverit。
　　"TheseEnglish，whatbeaststheyare！"hegrowled，"andI——Ihavenotapiastreforasingleglassofwine。"
　　II
　　CONCERNINGADEBT
　　Gregoriofound，onenteringhishouse，thathiswifewasalreadyinbed。Hewentintothetinykitchenandsawaplateofmacaronireadyforhissupper。Hetriedtoeatsome，butitstuckinhisthroat。HetookabottleofcheapCretanwinefromashelfanddrankfromit；butthewinewassour，andhespatitfromhismouthwithacurse。
　　Takingupthelamp，hewentintothebedroom。Hiswifewasfastasleepwiththeboyinherarms。ForamomentasmileflickeredroundGregorio’smouthashelookedatthem。Thenhetookoffhisbootsandhiscoat，blewoutthelamp，andlaybesidethem。Hewasverytiredafterhislongtrampinthehotstreets，buthecouldnotsleep。
　　Angrilyhetossedfromsidetosideandclosedhiseyestightly；butitwasnogood，sleepwouldnotcome。
　　Atmidnightheheardacalltoprayerchantedfromtheminaretofatinymosqueintheneighbourhood。Themuezzin’svoiceirritatedhim。
　　Hedidnotwishtopray，andhedidwanttosleep。HesworethatitwasinsanityforthesefoolsofMohammedanstodeclarethatprayerwasbetterthansleep。
　　Thenthethoughtsthathadagitatedhimduringthewalkreturnedtohim。TheRuedesSoeurswasstillnoisywithmerry-makers，anditseemedtohimthatifhecouldonlyjointhemhewouldbehappy。Buthehadnomoney，andonecandonothingwithoutmoney！
　　ThentherecamebacktohimthefaceoftheEnglishmanhehadseentalkingtotheviolinistoftheParadiso。Hehatedthemanbecausehewasuglyandrich。TheseEnglishwereallrich，andyettheyseemedtohimamiserablerace，mereignorantbullies。HerememberedhowoftenhehadcometothehelpoftheEnglishtravellerswhofilledEgypt。
　　Whyhadhe，heaskedhimself，forthesakeofamiserablereward，preventedthembeingcheated，whenhe，withallhistalents，wascondemnedtostarve？Evenhischild，hethought，wouldgrowtohatehimifheremainedpoor。Hemustgetmoney。Amoswouldhavetolendhimsome。TheJewswereunpopularamongtheGreeks；itwerewisetokeepongoodtermswiththem，asAmoswouldfindout。
　　Atlasthefellasleep。
　　Inthemorninghistroublesbeganagain。Therewasnocoffee，andonlyalittleArabbread，andwhenthatwasdonetheymuststarveiftheycouldnotgetsomemoney。Gregoriotoreoffabitofbreadandateitslowly，lookingathiswife，whosatweepingbesidehim。
　　"IshallgotoAmos，"hesaid，firmly。
　　"Ah，yes，toAmos，"Xantippeansweredquietly；"butitwillbenogood。"
　　"Whynogood？"
　　"Becauseyouowehimmoney，andhewillgiveyounomoretillheispaid。"
　　"Butwecannotpayhim。Hemustletushavesome。Ifnot——"andGregorioraisedthreatening。
　　Hiswifesmiledsadlyandkissedhim。
　　"YouwillnotfrightenAmos，mylove。WhenItoldhimthechildhadbeenill，heonlylaughed。"
　　"Whenwasthat？"
　　"Yesterday。"
　　"Thenhehadbeenhere？"
　　"Hecamelastnighttoaskforhismoney。Itoldhimwehadnone，andhelaughedandsaidwemustgetsome。HetoldmeImightgetsomeifI
　　caredto。HesaidIcouldmake，oh，somuch！"
　　Gregorioscowledsavagely。"ThefilthyJew！hesaidthat？Never，never，never！"
　　"Butwemustgetsomemoney，"thewomansobbed，"ifonlyforourson’ssake，Gregorio。Butnotthatway？"
　　"No，notthatway，"hereplied，savagely。
　　"Whenshallyougotohim？"
　　"Now。"
　　Andtakinguphishatherushedintothestreet。Hewasterriblyangry，notsomuchatthepurportoftheJew’sspeechasatthemanwhomadeit。HeloathedtheJews，andfeltinsultedwhenspokentobyone；itwasaterriblemattertoaskthismanforhelp，butitwasintolerablethathiswifeshouldsufferinsult。Andyetthechildmustbefed。Yes，shehadsaidthat，anditwastrue。Theymustmakesacrificesforthechild。
　　HesoonreachedtheJew’shouse，andwasshownbyarichlycladservantintotheroomwhereAmossat。Amoswasanoldman，tallandstrong，withalongbushybeard，inwhichhisfingerscontinuallyplayed；andhiseyesweresharpandbrilliantandrestless，astrangecontrasttohisstatelybearingandmeasuredmovements。HerosefromhiscushionsasGregorioentered，andsalutedhimcourteously，motioninghimtoaseat。Then，havingresettledhimself，heclappedhishandstogethersmartlyandorderedtheservantwhoansweredthesummonstobringincoffeeandpipes。
　　Gregoriowasratheroverawedattheluxuryhesawaroundhim，andhefeltthestern-looking，politeoldmanwouldbeadifficultpersontodealwith。Ashepuffedathistubeheconsideredcarefullywhatwordsheshoulduse。
　　Forsometimeneitherspoke，butAmoswasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
　　"YouheardIwasatyourhouselastnight，andsohavecometopayme？"
　　"Yes，Iheardyouwereatmyhouseandthatyouwantedtobepaid。Youarearichman，andIampoor。"
　　"Nay，Iamnotrich；theyliewhosayIamrich。"
　　"ItistwentypoundsIoweyou，isitnot？"
　　"Yes，twentypounds。Itisalargesum，andIhavedealtgenerouslywithyou。Iamnowinneedofitmyself。"
　　"Iamapoorman。"
　　"Youhavenotthemoney，eh，myfriend？"
　　"Ihavenotthemoney。ButIwillpayyouifyouwilllendmesomemore。Ishallbesuccessfulnow；onlytwentypoundsmore。"
　　AmosappearedunmovedatthetremorinGregorio’svoice。Hiseyesrestedcoldlyonthefaceofhisclient，whiletheunfortunateGreekcontinuedtospeakrapidlyofhistroublesandhopes。HesmiledsarcasticallyasGregoriospokeofthecertaintyofmakinghisfortuneatBenhur，andremainedquiteunmovedatthestoryofthesufferingsofawomanandchildfromhungerandwant。
　　"Yourwifeisbeautiful，"wasallheansweredwhenGregoriopausedforamoment。Atthesewords，however，hehalfrosefromhisplaceandclinchedhishandssavagely。Buthesankbackagainwiththeremembrancethatashowoftemperwouldnotadvancehiscause。
　　"Verybeautiful，"heanswered，chokingly；"wouldyouseeherstarve？"
　　"Sheisnotmywife，"saidAmos，quietly。Thenhecontinuedslowly，pausingatintervalstopuffoutacloudofsmokefromhismouth：
　　"Youhaveowedmethismoneyalongtime。Iwantit，andIwillhaveit。EveninEgyptthereislaw。YoudonotlikeusJews，butthelawwillprotectmeaslongasIamrichenoughtobuyjustice。Inthreedaysyouwillpaymethismoney。Ihavebeengeneroustoyou；nowI
　　willbegenerousnolonger。IfIamnotpaidIwilltakemeasurestorecovermyloss。YouwillsleepinthestreetsliketheArabs，myfriend；buttheweatheriswarm。Itisearlysummer，soyouwillscarcelyfeeltheexposure。Inthreedaysyouwillcomeandpayme。"
　　"ButhowamItogetthemoney？IfyouwouldlendmeonlyafewpoundsIwouldrepayyouallIowe。"
　　"Alreadyyouowememorethanyoucanpay。Youcanmakemoney。Youaremarried。TheseChristianwomenareworsethantheArabs；doInotseethemasIcomehomeintheeveningfrommybusiness？Itisnotrighttoborrowandnotrepay。Ineedmymoney。HowcanIhavemycoffeeandmypipeunlessIhavemoney？"
　　Gregoriolistenedwithgrowinganger，andfinallyrosefromhisseatandshookhisfistintheoldman’sface。
　　"Youshallbepaid，"heshouted，"youshallbepaid！"
　　"Angerisuseless，myfriend。"
　　AndasGregorioleftthehouseAmossmiledandstrokedhisbeard。
　　"Truly，"hethought，"theseChristianshateus，butwehavetheminourpower。Itispleasanttobehatedandyettoknowthatitistoustheymustcringewhentheyareinneed；anditisverypleasanttorefuse。MyfriendGregorioisnothappynowthatheisstrugglinginmygrasp。"
　　AsforGregorio，hewanderedawaytowardtheharbour，kickingsavagelyattherefusescatteredalongthepavement。Hedidnotknowhowtosetaboutearningtherequisitesum。Itwasnogoodapplyingtothehotelsortouristagencies，fortherewerefewvisitorsinthecityanddragomenwerethereforenotneeded。
　　Hisfriendsweretoopoortohelphim，andtheconsulwasunabletodomuchforhim，thereweresomanypoorGreekswhowantedhelp。
　　Meanwhiletherewasnofoodathomeandnodrink；eventhenecessariesoflifewerelacking。
　　Onarrivingathishomehefoundhiswifeandchildhuddledinacornercryingforfood。Theyrantowardhimasheentered，butthehopeintheirfacesquicklyfadedatthesightofhim。
　　"It’snogood，"Gregoriogrowled；"AmosrefusestoadvanceapiastreandsaysImustpayallIoweinthreedays。"
　　"Itisimpossibletosleepwhenoneishungry，"saidGregoriothatnighttohiswife，wholayawake，weeping，besidehim。
　　III
　　OFFAILUREANDARESOLVE
　　Gregorio’sdreams，whenhedidsleep，werenoneofthepleasantest，andwhenhewokeup，fromtimetotime，heheardhiswifeweeping。Inwonderingwhatheshouldsaytocomfortherhefellasleepagain，andsleepingwasworsethanlyingawake。ForinhisdreamshesawXantippeandhischildstarvingandcryingforfood，andhewasunabletohelptheminanyway。HelivedoveragainthelongdayhehadspenttrampingthestreetsofAlexandriasearchingforwork。Hesawthefewtouristsstillleftinthetownfatandhappy；hesawtheportersofthehotelswhohadsmiledonhimpityinglyandyetcontemptuously；andhewoke，aftereachrepresentationofthecrudecomedy，hotandyetcoldwithperspiration，tofeelthebedonwhichhelayshakingunderthesobsofhiswife。
　　WhenatlastdaydawnedGregorioraisedhimselfwithanoath，andsworetofindfoodforhisfamilyandworkforhimself。TheterribledebtheowedtoAmoshesworeshouldnottroublehim，laughingathiswife’sremonstrances。Withthebrightdaylighthadcomeanewcourage，and，hungryashewas，hefeltablenotonlytosatisfytheirhunger，butsoskilfullytoarrangemattersthattheywouldneverfeelhungryagain。Yetiswasaterribleordeal，thathalf-hourwhenthefamilyshouldhavesatdowntoatableladenwithfood。Thepoorwifecried，andhehadtocomforthertearswithpromises，unsubstantialnutrimentindeed，andtheycouldnotsatisfythechild，whofaileddismallytounderstandthem。Throughthegreenblindscamethenoiseoflifeandhealthandmerriment；cursestoo，sometimes，butonlythecursesofthewellfed，andthereforemeaningless。Alreadythesunfellhotandindomitableontheroom，andtheatmosphereattheirtouchbecamestifling。Gregorio，swallowinghistears，toreoutintothestreet，shoutingupthenarrowstairwayhystericalwordsofhope。
　　Howlongandshadowlessthestreetseemed！Everyhousehaditsgreenblindscloselyshut；thewindthatstirredthedustofthepavementswashotandbiting。Gregorioclinchedhishandsandstroderapidlyonward。Whatmatteredittohimthatbehindthosegreenblindswomenandmenslumberedincomparativecomfort？Hehadaworktodo，andbysunsetmustcarrygoodtidingstohislittleworld。Foratimehisheartwasbraveasthedrywindscorchedthetearuponhischeek。
　　"Surely，"hethought，weavinghisthoughtsintoafinemarchingrhythm，"thegreatGodwillhelpmenow，willhelpmenow。"
　　Atmidday，afterhehadtried，withthatstrangeGreekpertinacitythatunderstandsnorefusals，allthehotelsandtouristagencieshehadcalledatthedaybefore，hebecamewearyanddisconsolate。Themarchhadbecomeadirge；nolongeritsuggestedhappinesstobe，butfailure。AnEnglishmanthrewhimapiastre，andheturnedintoacafe。
　　Callingforaglassofwine，heflunghimselfdownonthewoodenbenchandtriedtothink。Butreallylogicalthinkingwasimpossible。Forinspiteofthesorrowathisheart，thesamebrightdreamsofwealthandhappinesscamebacktomockhim。Thepiastreheplayedwithbecamegold，andhefeltthecafecontainednoluxuriesthathemightnotcommandtobebroughtbeforehim。ButastheeffectsoftheredwineofLebanonevaporatedhebegantotakeasobererthoughstillcheerfulviewofhisposition。ItwasonlywhenthewaitercarriedoffhispiastrethathesuddenlywoketofactandknewhimselfoncemoreamanwithawifeandchildstarvinginAlexandria，analiencityforallitswealthycolonyofGreeks。Awaveofpitysweptoverhim；notsomuchforthewomanwashesorry，thoughhelovedhertoo，butforthebabywhosefuturehehadplanned。Hescowledsavagelyattheinmatesofthecafe，whoonlysmiledquietly，fortheywereusedtopoorGreekswhohaddrunkawaytheirlastcoin，andpushedpastthemintothestreet。
　　Thereitwashotterthanever，andhemetscarcelyanyone。Everyonewhocouldbewasathome，orinthecoolcafes；onlyGregoriowasabroad。Hedeterminedtomakeforthequay。HeknewthatmanyshipsputintotheAlexandrianwaters，andtherewasoftenemploymentfoundforthosenottooproudtoworkatladingandunloading。Quickly，andburningasthekempsin，hehurriedthroughtheRuedesSoeurs，notdaringtolookupatthehousewhereinhedwelt。Themuffledsoundsofvoicesandguitarsfromthefar-awayinteriorsseemedtomockhisfootstepsashepassedthewine-shops；andalltheotherhousesweresilentandasleep。Atlasthearrivedonthequay，andtheblacklinesoftheP。andO。stoodoutfirmlybeforehimagainstthepitilessblueofseaandsky。Hewanderedoverthehotstonecauseway，butfoundnoone。Therevenueofficerswereaway，andnotalabourer，notasailor，wasvisible。Beyondthebreakwaterlittletuftsofsilveryfoamflashedontherollers，andasolitarysteamersteeredsteadilyforthehorizon。HecouldseetheGreekflagatherstern，andhiseyesfilledwithtears。Ah，howlittlehisfriendsinAthensthoughtofthemanwhohadcometofindfameandfortuneinthefar-offEast！Hesatdownontheparapetandwatchedthevesseluntilshebecameatinyspeckonthehorizon，andthenherecommencedhissearchforwork。Hisheartwasbraverforamomentbecauseofitspangs；hesworehewouldshowthesecountrymenofhiswhodweltathome，andwhointhreedayswouldseetheveryshiphehadbeengazingatarriveinGrecianwaters，thathewasworthyofhiscountryandhiskinsfolk。
　　Butresolutionswereuseless，tenacityofpurposewasuseless。Fortwolonghourshewanderedbytheharbour，butmetnoone。
　　Atlastthesunfellbehindthewesternwaves，andthewindowsofthekhedive’spalaceglowedlikeahundredflamingeyes；theflagsfellfromthemastsofthevessels；onthecitysidewasasuddensilence，saveforthemelancholyvoicesofthemuezzins；thenthedaydied；thebrightstars，suddenlypiercingtheheavens，mockedhimwiththeirbrillianceandtoldhimthathisuselesssearchforbreadwasover。
　　Gregoriowentbackslowlytohishome。AlreadytheRuedesSoeurswascrowded。Thelongstreetrangwithmusicandlaughter，andinsteadofblindscoveringthewindowsmerrywomenleaneduponthesillsandlaughedatthecrowdsbelow。
　　Gregorio，whenhereachedhishouse，wouldhavelikedtogostraighttobed。Butitwasnottobe，forasheenteredthetinyroomheheardhiswifetryingtopersuadethehungryinfantintosleep，andhisfootstepsdisturbedhertears。Hehadtocalmthemasbesthecould，andashesoothedherhenoticedthechildhadacrustinhishandwhichhegnawedhalfcontentedly。AtthesamemomentthedimbluefigureofanArabpassedbytheoppositewall，andhadalmostgainedthedoorereGregoriofoundwords。
　　"Whoareyou？"
　　"ItisAhmed，"hiswifeanswered，gently，placinghertremblinghanduponhisshoulder；"hetoohaschildren。"
　　Gregorioscowledandmuttered，"AnArab，"andinthatmurmurnoneoftheloathingwashiddenthatthepseudo-WestbearsfortheEast。
　　"Thechildisstarving，"saidAhmed。"Ihavesavedthechild；maybesomedayIshallsavethefather。"AndAhmedslippedawaybeforeGregoriocouldanswerhim。
　　Forawhileneitherhenorhiswifespoke；theystoodsilentinthemoonlight。AtlastGregorioaskedhuskily，"Haveyouhadfood？"
　　"Notto-day，"wastheanswer；andthesweetvoicewasalmostdiscordantinitspathosasitcontinued，"nordrink，andbutforAhmedtheboyhaddied。"
　　Gregoriocouldnotanswer；therewasalumpinhisthroatthatblockedwords，openingthegateforsobs。Buthechokeddownhisemotionwithaneffortandbusiedhimselfabouttheroom。Xantippesatwatchinghimanxiously，smoothlywithnervousfingersthecoveringofherson’sbed。
　　Asthenightadvancedtheheatincreased，andallthatdisturbedthesilenceoftheroomwastheechoofthestreets。Gregoriowalkedtothewindowandlookedout。Belowhimhesawthejostlingcrowdofmenandwomen。Thesepeople，hethought，werehappy，andtwomiserablesonlydweltinthecity——hiswifeandhimself。Andwheneverheaskedhimselfwhatwasthecauseofhismisery，theanswerwaseverthesame——poverty。Heglancedathisson，tossinguneasilyinhisbed；helookedathiswife，paleandhaggardinthemoonlight；herememberedhisownsufferingsalldaylonginthehotcruelstreets，andhespokeunsteadily：
　　"Xantippe？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ihavethoughtoverthings。"
　　"AndItoo。"
　　"Wearestarving，——youarestarving，andIamstarving，——andalldaylongItrampthesecursedstreets，butgainnothing。Soitwillgoon，dayin，dayout。Notonlyweourselves，butoursontoomustdie。Wemustsavehim。"
　　"Yes，"saidXantippe，quietly，repeatingherhusband’swordsasshekissedtheforeheadofherchild，"wemustsavehim。"
　　"Thereisonlyoneway。"
　　"Onlyoneway，"repeatedXantippe，dreamily。Therewasapause，andthen，asthoughthewordshadgrowntohaveameaningtoherthatshecouldnotfathom，shequeried，"Whatway，Gregorio？"
　　"That，"hesaid，roughly，ashecaughtherbythewrist，and，dragginghertothewindow，pointedtothewomeninthestreetbeneath。
　　Xantippehidherfaceonherhusband’sbreastandcriedsoftly，whileshemurmured，"No，no；Iwillneverconsent。"
　　"Thenthechildwilldie，"answeredtheGreek，curtly，flingingherfromhim。
　　Andthepoorwomancastherselfuponthebedbesideherboy，andwhenhertearsceasedforamomentstammered，"When？"
　　"To-morrow，"wastheanswer，cruelandperemptory。AndasGregorioclosedthelattice，shuttingoutthenoiseofsongandlaughter，theroomechoedwiththemightysobbingofawomanwhowasbetrayed，andwhorepeatedhysterically，whilekissingthefaceofherchild，"To-morrow，to-morrowtherewillbefoodforyou。"
　　AndGregoriosleptpeacefully，forthedangerofstarvationwasover；
　　hewouldyetlivetoseehissonbecomerich。
　　Andthewoman？
　　Hekissedherbeforeheslept，andwomenalwayscry。
　　IV
　　CONCERNINGTWOWOMEN
　　Gregoriofeltalittlebitashamedofhimselfnextmorning。Theexcitementhadpassed，andthefullmeaningofhiswordscamebacktohimandmadehimshudder。Thesun，alreadyrisen，sentshaftsoflightbetweenthelipsofthewoodenlattice。Afaintsoundoflifeandmovementstoleupwardfromthestreetbelow。ButXantippeandtheboystillslumbered，thoughthewoman’sformshookconvulsivelyattimes，forshesobbedinhersleep。
　　Gregoriolookedatthetwoforaminuteandthenraisedhimselfwithanoath。Thewoman’sheavybreathingirritatedhim，for，afterall，heargued，itwasherdutyaswellashistosacrificeherselfforthelad。Moreover，theJewmustbepaid，andto-daywasthatappointedbyAmosforthesettlingoftheiraccount。Therewasnomoneytopayitwith，andtheymustlosetheirfurniture，somuchatleastwascertain。ButAmoswouldnothavethebestofthebargain，thoughttheGreekashelookedroundtheroomwithagrin，andthecertaintythathehadgotthebetterofAmosforthemomentcheeredhisspirits。
　　Then，too，afterto-daytherewouldbeplentytoeat，forhiswifecouldmanagetoearnmoney；norwasthemansomeaninhisvillainyastoshirkanyefforttoearnmoneyhimself。Afterfirstlookingathiswifecriticallyandwithasatisfiedsmile，hetouchedherontheshouldertowakeher。
　　"Iamgoingoutforwork，"hesaid，asXantippeopenedhereyes。
　　"Allright。"
　　"Good-bye。"
　　ButXantippeanswerednot。SheturnedherfacetothewallwearilyasGregoriolefther。
　　EnteringthestreethemadestraightforAmos’shouse，andtoldtheporter，whowasstilllyingonthetrestlebeforethedoor，thathecouldnotpaytheJew’sbill。Thenwithoutwaitingforananswer，hehurriedofftothequay。
　　Withbetterluckthanonthepreviousday，hemanagedtoobtainemploymentforsomehours。TheGreekmail-boathadarrived，andundertheblazingsunhetoiledgood-humouredlyandpatiently。Theworkwashard，butitgavehimnoopportunityofthinking。Hehadtobecontinuallydodginglargebalesoffruitandwine，andifhemadeamistaketheofficerondutywouldshoutathimangrily，"Lazydog！youwouldnothaveleftGreecewereyounotanidlefellow。"Suchwordswoundedhispride，andhedeterminedtodosowellthatheshouldearnpraise。Butthelittleofficer，hisbrightbuttonsflashinginthesunlight，whosmokedquietlyintheintervalsofsilence，neverpraisedanybody；butheleftoffabusingGregorioatlast，andwhenworkceasedforthedaybadehimcomeagainonthemorrow。
　　AtsunsetGregoriopocketedhisfewhard-earnedpiastresandwanderedcityward。Hedidnotcaretogobacktohishome，forheknewtherewouldbemiserablestoriestotelloftheJew’sanger，and，moreover，hewasterriblythirsty。Sohewentintoalittlecafe——knownasthePenny-farthingShop——oppositehishouseandcalledforaflaskofkephisa。Ashesippedthewineheglancedupnervouslyathiswindowandwonderedwhetherhiswifehadalreadylefthome。Werehesurethatshehad，hewouldleavehiswineuntouchedandhastentolookafterhissonandgivehimfood。ButuntilheknewXantippehadgonehewouldnotmove。Thesobsofyesterdaystilldisturbedhim，andhewasmorethanonceonthepointofcancellinghisresolves。Butasthewinestirredhisbloodhebecamesatisfiedwithwhathehaddoneandsaid。ThelittlecafeatBenhurthatwastomakehisfortuneseemednearlyinhisgrasp。Hadhenot，heaskedhimself，workedalldaywithoutamurmur？ItwasrightXantippeshouldhelphim。
　　Ashesatdreamilythinkingoverthesethings，andwatchingtheshadowsturntoadarkerpurpleundertheoil-lamps，awomanspoketohim。
　　"Well，Gregorio，areyouasleep？"
　　"No，"saidhe，turningtowardhisquestioner。
　　Thewomanlaughed。Shewasabigwoman，dressedinloosefoldsofredandblue。Herhairwasdishevelled，andornamentedwithbrasspinsfastenedintoitatrandom。Hersleeveswererolleduptoherarmpits，andshehadherarmsakimbo——fat，flabbyarmsthatshookasshelaughed。Hereyeswerealmosthidden，shescrewedthemupsoclosely，butherwidemouthopenedanddisclosedarowofgigantic，flawlessteeth。
　　Gregoriofrownedashelookedather。Heknewherwellandhadneverlikedher。Buthedarenotquarrelwithher，forheowedhermoney，and"fortheloveofhisblackeyes，"asshetoldhim，shehadeverabottleofwinereadyforhimwhenhewished。
　　"Well，mygoodwoman，"heblurtedout，surlily，"youseemtobeamused。"
　　"Iam，Gregorio。Tellme，"shecontinued，slyly，seatingherselfbesidehimandplacingherelbowsonthetable，"howisshe？"
　　"Who？"
　　"Xantippe。Shecametometo-day，andIsawshehadbeencrying。ButI
　　saidnothing，becauseitisnotalwayswisetoaskquestions。I
　　thoughtsheweptbecauseshewashungryandbecausethebabywashungry。Iofferedherfoodandshetooksome，butsolittle，scarcelyenoughtocoveraten-piastrepiece。’Thatisforthebaby，’Isaid；
　　’nowsomeforyou。’Butsherefused。"
　　"Perhapsshehadfoodforherself，"saidGregorio，shiftinguneasilyinhischair。
　　"Perhaps，"saidthewoman，andlaughedagain，moreloudlythanever，tillthetableshook。"Butsheaskedmeforsomethingelse，"shecontinued，whenhermerrimentlanguishedforwantofbreath；"sheaskedmetoletherhaveanolddressofmine，abrightyellow-and-reddress，andsheborrowedsomeornaments。Itisnotrightofyou，Gregorio，tokeepanoldfriendonthedoor-stepwhenyouhaveafantasia。"
　　Gregorioscowledsavagely。Afterapausehesaid，"Idon’tknowwhymywifewantedyourdressandornaments。"
　　"Ohyes，youdo，friendGregorio。"Andshelaughedagain，thistimeasuppressed，chucklinglaughthatthreatenedtochokeher；andshesupportedherchinonherhands，whilehereyespeeredthroughtheenvelopingfatatthemanwhosatoppositetoher。Suddenlyshestoodup，andtakingGregoriobythearmdraggedhimtothedoor。
　　"See，thereshegoes。Mygarmentsarecleverlyalteredandsuitherfinely，don’tthey？Ah，well，myfriend，amanwhocannotsupportawifeshouldmarryawomanwhocansupporthim。"
　　Gregoriodidnotstoptoanswerher，butpushedpastherintothestreet。Thewomanwatchedhimenterthehouseopposite，andthenreturnedquietlytoherwork。Buttherewasasmilehoveringroundherlipsasshemurmuredtoherself，"Ah，well，intime。"
　　Gregoriomeanwhilehadrunuptohisroomandentereditbreathlesswithexcitement。ThefirstglancetoldhimthatAmoshadseizedallhecould，fornothingremainedsaveawoodenbenchandoneortwocoarse，half-disabledcookingutensils。
　　Gregoriosworealittleasherealisedwhathadhappened。ThenhesawinacornerbythewindowhissonandAhmed。
　　"Shehasgone，"saidAhmed，asGregorio’sgazerestedonhim。Butshemighthavegonemerelytomarket，ortoseeaneighbour，foralltheimperturbableArabfacedisclosed。Assoonashehadspokenthemanbentoverthechild，laughingsoftlyastheyoungsterplayedwithhisbeard。FortheArab，asheismiscalled，isfondofchildren，andtherearenonetowhomchildrentakesoreadilyastotheEgyptianfellahin。
　　Gregoriowatchedthetwoforamoment，andthenplacinghisremainingpiastresintheman’shandbadehimbringfoodandwine。Assoonashewasleftalonewithhisson，heflunghimselfdownonthefloorandkissed，"Youshallbeagreatman，ay，arichman，myson。"
　　Herepeatedthesentenceoverandoveragain，punctuatingitwithkisses，whilethetwo-year-oldregardedhimwonderingly，untilAhmedreturned。
　　WhenthemealwasendedGregoriotooktheboyinhisarmsandsangtohimsoftlytillatlasttheinfantslept。Thenheplacedhimgentlyonthefloor，havingfirstmadeofhiscoatabed，andwenttothewindowandflungbacktheshutters。Hesmokedquietlyastheminuteswentby，waitingimpatientlyforhiswifetoreturn。Itseemedtohimmonstrousthattheboywhowastoinheritafortuneshouldbesleepingonthedirtyfloorwrappedinanoldcoat；thatanArab，amerefellah，shouldamusehissonandplaywithhim，whenGreeknursesweretobehiredinAlexandriahadoneonlythemoney。Longaftermidnightheheardasteponthestairs，andaminuteafterthedooropened。Herecognisedhiswife’sfootsteps，andherosetomeether。Asshecameintotheroomshelookedquicklyround，andseeinghersonwenttowardhimandkissedhim。Gregorio，halfafraid，stoodbythewindowwatchingher。Sheletherglancerestonhimaminute，thensheturnedroundandlaidhercloakuponthefloor。
　　"Xantippe！"
　　Butshedidnotanswer。
　　"Xantippe，Ihavefedourson。Thegooddaysarecomingwhenweshallberichandhappy。"
　　ButXantippewastoobusyfoldingoutthecreasesofhercloaktonoticehim。Themoonlightstreamedontoher，andherfaceshonelikeanangel’s。Gregoriomadeonesteptowardher，ravished，forshehadneverappearedsobeautifultohim。Forthemomentheforgotthewholehideoushistoryofthelastfewdaysandthebrief，horribleconversationofthenightbefore。Firedwithadesiretotouchher，tokissher，towhisperintoherear，inthesoftGreekspeech，alltheendearmentsandtendernessesthathadwonherwhenhewooedher，heplacedhishanduponherarm。Asifstungbyavenomoussnake，thewomanrecoiledfromhistouch。Withaquickmovementshesprangbackandflungathisfaceahandfulofgoldandsilvercoins。
　　"Takethem；they’reyours，"shecried，huskily，andretreatedintothefarthestcorneroftheroom。
　　WithasavagecurseGregorioputhishandtohislipsandwipedawaytheblood，foraheavycoinhadcuthim。Thenheranswiftlydownstairs，andXantippe，asshelaydownwearilybesideherboy，heardawomanlaugh。
　　V
　　XANTIPPELOOKSOUTOFTHEWINDOW
　　ThePenny-farthingShopwasfullofcustomers，andMadamMarx，thefatwomanwhofollowedGregoriotothebar，wasforalongtimebusyattendingtoherclients。SomeEnglishwar-shipshadenteredtheharbouratsunset，andmanyofthesailorshadlostnotimeinseekingouttheirfavouritehaunt。MostofthemknewMadamMarxwell，asagood-naturedwomanwhogavethemplentytodrinkfortheirmoney，andsecretedthemfromtheeyesofthepolicewhentheliquoroverpoweredthem。Consequentlytherewasmuchlaughterandshakingofhands，andmanyaroughjest，whichMadamMarxrespondedtoinbrokenEnglish。
　　Gregoriowatchedthesailorsgloomily。HehatedtheEnglish，foreventheirsailorsseemedtohaveplentyofmoney，andherecalledtherichEnglishmanhehadseenattheCafeParadiso，drinkingchampagneandbuyingflowersfortheHungarianwomanwhoplayedthefiddle。Thescenehehadjustleftcontrasteddisagreeablywiththefunandjollitythatsurroundedhim。Buthefeltunabletoshakeoffhisgloomandannoyance，andMadamMarx’sattentionsirritatedhim。Hefeltthathereyescontinuallyrestedonhim，that，howeverbusyshemightbe，hewasneveroutofherthoughts。Everyfewminutesshewouldcometowardhimwithabottleofwineandfilluphisglass，saying，"Come，myfriend；wineisgoodandwilldrownyourtroubles。"Andthoughheresentedherpatronage，knowinghecouldnotpay，heneverthelessdranksteadily。
　　Everyfewminutesheheardthesoundofhorses’hoofsonthehardroadway，andthroughthewindowshesawthemilitarypolicepassslowlyontheirrounds。
　　AtlastthestrongdrinkssoamiablyretailedbyMadamMarxdidtheirwork，andthemenlayaboutthefloorasleepandbreathingheavily。
　　ThesilencesucceedingthenoisestartledGregoriofromhissullenhumour。MadamMarxcameandsatbesidehim，wearyasshewaswithherlonglabours，andtalkedvolubly。Thewinehadmountedtohishead，andheansweredherinrapidsentences，accompanyinghiswordswithgestureandgrimace。Whathetalkedabouthescarcelyknew，butthewomanlaughed，andhetookaninsanedelightinhearingher。Justbeforedaylighthefellasleep，restinghisheadonhisarms，thatwerespreadacrossthetable。MadamMarxkissedhimasheslept，murmuringtoherselfcontentedly，"Ah，well，intime。"
　　WhenGregoriowokethesunwashighintheheavens，blazingoutofabrazensky。Cloudsofdustsweptpastthedoorfromtimetotime，andcuthisneckandfaceashestoodonthethresholdsmokinglazily。Itwastoolatetogodowntothequay，forhisplacemusthavelongagobeenfilledbyanother。Hewasnotsorry，sincehebynomeansdesiredtotoilagainunderthehotsun；theheavydrinkingofthenighthadmadehimlethargic，andhewassothirstytheheatnearlychokedhim。
　　Hecalledouttoawater-carrierstaggeringalonginthescantyshadeontheoppositesideofthestreet，andtookeagerlyadraughtofwater。Hetouchedthepigskinwithhishand，anditwashot。Thewaterwaswarmandmadehimsick；hespatitfromhismouthhastily，andhearingalaughbehindhim，turnedroundandsawMadamMarx。
　　"See，hereissomewine，myfriend；leavethewaterfortheArabs。"
　　Gregoriogratefullyseizedtheflagonandletthewinetrickledownhisthroat，whileMadamMarx，witharmsakimbo，stoodpatientlybeforehim。
　　"Imustgonow，"hesaid，ashehandedbackthehalf-emptiedflask。
　　"Why？"
　　"BecauseImustgetsomework。"
　　"Itisnoteasytogetworkinthesummer。"
　　"Iknow，butImustgetsome。IowemoneytoAmos。"
　　"Yes，Iknow。Butyourwifeismakingmoneynow。"
　　Themanscowledather。"Howdoyouknowthat？BeforeGod，Iswearthatsheisnot。"
　　"Come，come，Gregorio。Youweredrunklastnight，andyourtonguewaggedprettyfreely。It’snotabitofusebeingangrywithme，becauseIonlyknowwhatyou’vetoldme。Besides，I’myourfriend，youknowthat。"
　　Gregorioflushedangrilyatthewoman’swords，butheknewquitewellitwasnousereplyingtothem，forshewasspeakingonlythetruth。
　　Buttheknowledgethathehadbetrayedhissecretannoyedhim。Hehadgrownusedtothefactsandcouldlookatthemeasilyenough，buthehadnotreckonedonothersalsolearningthem。
　　Hedeterminedtogooutandfindwork，oratanyratetotrampthestreetspretendingtolookforsomethingtodo。Thewomanbecameintolerabletohim，andthePenny-farthingShop，reekingwiththeodourofstaletobaccoandspilledliquor，poisonedhim。Hetookuphishatbrusquelyandsteppedintothestreet。
　　MadamMarx，standingatthedoor，laughedathimasshecalledout，"Good-bye，Gregorio；whenwillyoucomeback？"
　　Hedidnotanswer，butthesoundofherlaughterfollowedhimupthestreet，andhekickedangrilyatthestonesinhispath。
　　AtlasthepassedbytheRas-el-Tinbarracks。HelookedcuriouslyattheEnglishsoldiers。Somewereplayingpoloonthehardbrownspacetotheleft，andfromthewindowsofthebuildingmenleanedout，theirshirt-sleevesrolledupandtheirstrongarmsbaredtothesun。
　　Theysmokedshortclaypipes，andinnumerablelittlebluespiralcloudsmountedskyward。Obviouslytheheatdidnotgreatlyinconveniencethem，fortheylaughedandsanganddrankoceansofbeer。
　　ThesightofthemannoyedGregorio。Helookedatthepewtermugsshininginthesunlight。Heeyedgreedilythepassageofonefromhandtohand；andwhenoneman，aftertakingalongpull，laughedandhelditupsidedowntoshowhimitwasempty，heburstintoanuncontrollablefitofanger，andshookhisfistimpotentlyatthesoldiers，whochaffedhimgood-naturedly。Ashewentalongbythestables，afriendlylancer，pityinghim，probably，too，wearyingofhisownlonelywatch，calledtohim，andofferedhimadrinkoutofastonebottle。Gregoriodrankagainfeverishly，andhandedthebottlebacktoitsownerwithagrin，andpassedonwithoutaword。Thesoldierwatchedhimcuriously，butsaidnothing。
　　WhenhereachedthelighthouseGregorioflunghimselfontothepebble-strewnsandandlookedacrossthebay。Thebluewater，calmandunruffledasasheetofglass，spreadbeforehim。Theships——AustrianLloydmail-boats，P。andO。liners，andgrimycoal-hulks——laymotionlessagainstthewhitesideofthejetty。
　　Thekhedive’syachtwasbrightwithbunting，andinnumerablefishing-
　　boatsnearthebreakwatermadegratefuloasesintheglarewhereonhiseyesmightrest。Butheheededthemnot。Angrilyheflunglumpsofstoneandsandintothewaveletsathisfeet，andpushedbackhishatthathisfacemightfeelthefullheatofthesun。Thenhelitacigaretteandbegantothink。
　　Butwhatwasthegoodofthinking？Thethoughtsalwaysformedthemselvesintothesamechainandreachedthesameconclusion；andeverontheglassysurfaceoftheLevantineseaawomanpoisedherselfandlaughedathim。
　　Whenthesunfellbehindthehorizon，andthebreakwater，afterdashinguponeflashofgold，becameablueblur，Gregoriorosetogo。
　　AshewalkedbacktowardthePenny-farthingShophefeltangryandunsatisfied。Thewholedaywaswasted。Hehaddonenothingtorelievehiswife，nothingtopayoffAmos。Madammethimatthedoor，aflaskofwineinherhand。AgainsthiswillGregorioenteredhercafeandsmiled，buthissmilewassourandmalevolent。
　　"Youwantcheering，myfriend，"saidmadam，laughing。
　　"Ihavefoundnothingtodo，"saidGregorio。
　　"Ah！Itoldyouitwouldbehard。TherearenotouristsinAlexandrianow。Anditisfoolishofyoutotrampthestreetslookingforworkthatyouwillneverfind，whenyouhaveeverythingyoucanwanthere。"
　　"Exceptmoney，andthat’severything，"putinGregorio，bluntly。
　　"Evenmoney，myfriend。Ihaveenoughfortwo。"
　　MadamMarxhadplayedhertrumpcard，andshewatchedanxiouslytheeffectofherwords。Foramomentthemandidnotspeak，buttrifledwithhiscigarettetobacco，rollingitgentlybetweenhisbrownfingers。Thenhesaid：
　　"YouknowIamindebtnow，andIwanttopayoffallIowe，andleavehere。"
　　"Yes，that’strue，butyouwon’tpayoffyourdebtsbytrampingthestreets，andyourlittlecafeatBenhurwillbealongtimebuilding，Ifancy。MeanwhilethereismoneytobemadeatthePenny-farthingShop。"
　　"Whatareyourterms？"askedGregorio，roughly。
　　Thewomanlaughed，butdidnotanswer。Thestarswereshining，andthekempsinthathadblownalldaywasdead。Itwascoolsittingoutsidethedoorofthecafeunderthelittleawning，andpleasanttowatchthebluecigarettesmokefloatupwardinthestillair。Gregoriosatforawhilesilent，andthewomancameandstoodbyhim。"Youknowmyterms，"shewhispered，andGregoriosmiled，tookherhand，andkissedher。Atthatmomenttheblindoftheoppositehousewasflungback。
　　Xantippeleanedoutofthewindowandsawthem。