第1章

"Thegods，thegodsarestronger；timeFallsdownbeforethem，allmen"skneesBow，allmen"sprayersandsorrowsclimbLikeincensetowardthem；yea，fortheseAregods，Felise。"

Carquinezhadrelaxedfinally。Hestoleaglanceattherattlingwindows，lookedupwardatthebeamedroof，andlistenedforamomenttothesavageroarofthesouth-easterasitcaughtthebungalowinitsbellowingjaws。

Thenheheldhisglassbetweenhimandthefireandlaughedforjoythroughthegoldenwine。

"Itisbeautiful，"hesaid。"Itissweetlysweet。Itisawoman"swine，anditwasmadeforgray-robedsaintstodrink。"

"Wegrowitonourownwarmhills，"Isaid，withpardonableCaliforniapride。"Yourodeupyesterdaythroughthevinesfromwhichitwasmade。"

ItwasworthwhiletogetCarquineztoloosenup。Norwasheeverreallyhimselfuntilhefeltthemellowwarmthofthevinesinginginhisblood。

Hewasanartist，itistrue，alwaysanartist；butsomehow，sober，thehighpitchandliltwentoutofhisthought-processesandhewaspronetobeasdeadlydullasaBritishSunday——notdullasothermenaredull，butdullwhenmeasuredbythesprightlywightthatMonteCarquinezwaswhenhewasreallyhimself。

FromallthisitmustnotbeinferredthatCarquinez，whoismydearfriendanddearercomrade，wasasot。Farfromit。Herarelyerred。AsIhavesaid，hewasanartist。Heknewwhenhehadenough，andenough，withhim，wasequilibrium——theequilibriumthatisyoursandminewhenwearesober。

HiswasawiseandinstinctivetemperatenessthatsavouredoftheGreek。

YethewasfarfromGreek。"IamAztec，IamInca，IamSpaniard，"Ihaveheardhimsay。Andintruthhelookedit，acompoundofstrangeandancientraces，whatwithhisswarthyskinandtheasymmetryandprimitivenessofhisfeatures。Hiseyes，undermassivelyarchedbrows，werewideapartandblackwiththeblacknessthatisbarbaric，whilebeforethemwasperpetuallyfallingdownagreatblackmopofhairthroughwhichhegazedlikearoguishsatyrfromathicket。Heinvariablyworeasoftflannelshirtunderhisvelvet-corduroyjacket，andhisnecktiewasred。

Thislatterstoodfortheredflag(hehadoncelivedwiththesocialistsofParis)，anditsymbolizedthebloodandbrotherhoodofman。Also，hehadneverbeenknowntowearanythingonhisheadsavealeather-bandedsombrero。Itwasevenrumouredthathehadbeenbornwiththisparticularpieceofheadgear。AndinmyexperienceitwasprovocativeofnothingshortofsheerdelighttoseethatMexicansombrerohailingacabinPiccadillyorstorm-tossedinthecrushfortheNewYorkElevated。

AsIhavesaid，Carquinezwasmadequickbywine——"astheclaywasmadequickwhenGodbreathedthebreathoflifeintoit，"washiswayofsayingit。IconfessthathewasblasphemouslyintimatewithGod；andImustaddthattherewasnoblasphemyinhim。Hewasatalltimeshonest，and，becausehewascompoundedofparadoxes，greatlymisunderstoodbythosewhodidnotknowhim。Hecouldbeaselementallyrawattimesasascreamingsavage；andatothertimesasdelicateasamaid，assubtleasaSpaniard。

And——well，washenotAztec？Inca？Spaniard？

AndnowImustaskpardonforthespaceIhavegivenhim。(Heismyfriend，andIlovehim。)Thehousewasshakingtothestorm，ashedrewclosertothefireandlaughedatitthroughhiswine。Helookedatme，andbytheaddedlustreofhiseye，andbythealertnessofit，Iknewthatatlasthewaspitchedinhisproperkey。

"Andsoyouthinkyou"vewonoutagainstthegods？"hedemanded。

"Whythegods？"

"Whosewillbuttheirshasputsatietyuponman？"hecried。

"Andwhencethewillinmetoescapesatiety？"Iaskedtriumphantly。

"Againthegods，"helaughed。"Itistheirgameweplay。Theydealandshuffleallthecards……andtakethestakes。Thinknotthatyouhaveescapedbyfleeingfromthemadcities。Youwithyourvine-cladhills，yoursunsetsandyoursunrises，yourhomelyfareandsimpleroundofliving!

"I"vewatchedyoueversinceIcame。Youhavenotwon。Youhavesurrendered。Youhavemadetermswiththeenemy。Youhavemadeconfessionthatyouaretired。Youhaveflownthewhiteflagoffatigue。Youhavenailedupanoticetotheeffectthatlifeisebbingdowninyou。Youhaverunawayfromlife。Youhaveplayedatrick，shabbytrick。Youhavebalkedatthegame。Yourefusetoplay。Youhavethrownyourcardsunderthetableandrunawaytohide，hereamongstyourhills。"

Hetossedhisstraighthairbackfromhisflashingeyes，andscarcelyinterruptedtorollalong，brown，Mexicancigarette。

"Butthegodsknow。Itisanoldtrick。Allthegenerationsofmanhavetriedit……andlost。Thegodsknowhowtodealwithsuchasyou。Topursueistopossess，andtopossessistobesated。Andsoyou，inyourwisdom，haverefusedanylongertopursue。Youhaveelectedsurcease。

Verywell。Youwillbecomesatedwithsurcease。Yousayyouhaveescapedsatiety!Youhavemerelybartereditforsenility。Andsenilityisanothernameforsatiety。Itissatiety"smasquerade。Bah!"

"Butlookatme!"Icried。

Carquinezwaseverademonforhalingonessouloutandmakingragsandtattersofit。

Helookedmewitheringlyupanddown。

"Youseenosigns，"Ichallenged。

"Decayisinsidious，"heretorted。"Youarerottenripe。"

Ilaughedandforgavehimforhisverydeviltry。Butherefusedtobeforgiven。

"DoInotknow？"heasked。"Thegodsalwayswin。Ihavewatchedmenplayforyearswhatseemedawinninggame。Intheendtheylost。"

"Don"tyouevermakemistakes？"Iasked。

Heblewmanymeditativeringsofsmokebeforereplying。

"Yes，Iwasnearlyfooled，once。Letmetellyou。TherewasMarvinFiske。

Yourememberhim？AndhisDantesquefaceandpoet"ssoul，singinghischantoftheflesh，theverypriestofLove？AndtherewasEthelBaird，whomalsoyoumustremember。"

"Awarmsaint，"Isaid。

"Thatisshe!HolyasLove，andsweeter!Justawoman，madeforlove；andyet——howshallIsay？——drenchedthroughwithholinessasyourownairhereiswiththeperfumeofflowers。Well，theymarried。Theyplayedahandwiththegods——"

"Andtheywon，theygloriouslywon!"Ibrokein。

Carquinezlookedatmepityingly，andhisvoicewaslikeafuneralbell。

"Theylost。Theysupremely，colossallylost。"

"Buttheworldbelievesotherwise，"Iventuredcoldly。

"Theworldconjectures。Theworldseesonlythefaceofthings。ButI

know。Hasiteverenteredyourmindtowonderwhyshetooktheveil，buriedherselfinthatdolorousconventofthelivingdead？"

"Becauseshelovedhimso，andwhenhedied……"

SpeechwasfrozenonmylipsbyCarquinez"ssneer。

"Apatanswer，"hesaid，"machine-madelikeapieceofcotton-drill。Theworld"sjudgment!Andmuchtheworldknowsaboutit。Likeyou，shefledfromlife。Shewasbeaten。Sheflungoutthewhiteflagoffatigue。Andnobeleagueredcityeverflewthatflaginsuchbitternessandtears。

"NowIshalltellyouthewholetale，andyoumustbelieveme，forIknow。

Theyhadponderedtheproblemofsatiety。TheylovedLove。TheyknewtotheuttermostfarthingthevalueofLove。Theylovedhimsowellthattheywerefaintokeephimalways，warmanda-thrillintheirhearts。Theywelcomedhiscoming；theyfearedtohavehimdepart。

"Lovewasdesire，theyheld，adeliciouspain。Hewaseverseekingeasement，andwhenhefoundthatforwhichhesought，hedied。LovedeniedwasLovealive；LovegrantedwasLovedeceased。Doyoufollowme？Theysawitwasnotthewayoflifetobehungryforwhatithas。Toeatandstillbehungry——manhasneveraccomplishedthatfeat。Theproblemofsatiety。Thatisit。Tohaveandtokeepthesharpfamine-edgeofappetiteatthegroaningboard。Thiswastheirproblem，fortheylovedLove。Oftendidtheydiscussit，withallLove"ssweetardoursbrimmingintheireyes；hisruddybloodsprayingtheircheeks；hisvoiceplayinginandoutwiththeirvoices，nowhidingasatremolointheirthroats，andagainshadingatonewiththatineffabletendernesswhichhealonecanutter。

"HowdoIknowallthis？Isaw——much。MoreIlearnedfromherdiary。

ThisIfoundinit，fromFionaMacleod:"For，truly，thatwanderingvoice，thattwilight-whisper，thatbreathsodewy-sweet，thatflame-wingedlute-

playerwhomnoneseesbutforamoment，inarainbow-shimmerofjoy，orasuddenlightning-flareofpassion，thisexquisitemysterywecallAmor，comes，tosomeraptvisionariesatleast，notwithasonguponthelipsthatallmayhear，orwithblitheviolofpublicmusic，butasonewroughtbyecstasy，dumblyeloquentwithdesire。"

"Howtokeeptheflame-wingedlute-playerwithhisdumbeloquenceofdesire？Tofeasthimwastolosehim。Theirloveforeachotherwasagreatlove。Theirgranarieswereoverflowingwithplenitude；yettheywantedtokeepthesharpfamine-edgeoftheirloveundulled。

"NorweretheyleanlittlefledglingstheorizingonthethresholdofLove。

Theywererobustandrealizedsouls。Theyhadlovedbefore，withothers，inthedaysbeforetheymet；andinthosedaystheyhadthrottledLovewithcaresses，andkilledhimwithkisses，andburiedhiminthepitofsatiety。

"Theywerenotcoldwraiths，thismanandwoman。Theywerewarmhuman。

TheyhadnoSaxonsobernessintheirblood。Thecolourofitwassunset-

red。Theyglowedwithit。TemperamentallytheirswastheFrenchjoyintheflesh。Theywereidealists，buttheiridealismwasGallic。ItwasnottemperedbythechillandsombrefluidthatfortheEnglishservesasblood。Therewasnostoicismaboutthem。TheywereAmericans，descendedoutoftheEnglish，andyettherefrainingandself-denyingoftheEnglishspirit-gropingwerenottheirs。

"TheywereallthisthatIhavesaid，andtheyweremadeforjoy，onlytheyachievedaconcept。Acurseonconcepts!Theyplayedwithlogic，andthiswastheirlogic——Butfirstletmetellyouofatalkwehadonenight。ItwasofGautier"sMadelinedeMaupin。Yourememberthemaid？Shekissedonce，andonceonly，andkissesshewouldhavenomore。Notthatshefoundkisseswerenotsweet，butthatshefearedwithrepetitiontheywouldcloy。

Satietyagain!Shetriedtoplaywithoutstakesagainstthegods。Nowthisiscontrarytoaruleofthegamethegodsthemselveshavemade。Onlytherulesarenotpostedoverthetable。Mortalsmustplayinordertolearntherules。

"Well，tothelogic。Themanandthewomanarguedthus:Whykissonceonly？Iftokissoncewerewise，wasitnotwisertokissnotatall？

ThuscouldtheykeepLovealive。Fasting，hewouldknockforeverattheirhearts。

"Perhapsitwasoutoftheirhereditythattheyachievedthisunholyconcept。Thebreedwilloutandsometimesmostfantastically。ThusinthemdidcursedAlbionarrayherselfaschemingwanton，abold，cold-

calculating，andartfulhussy。Afterall，Idonotknow。ButthisIknow:

itwasoutoftheirinordinatedesireforjoythattheyforewentjoy。

"Ashesaid(Ireaditlongafterwardinoneofhisletterstoher):"Toholdyouinmyarms，close，andyetnotclose。Toyearnforyou，andnevertohaveyou，andsoalwaystohaveyou。"Andshe:"Foryoutobealwaysjustbeyondmyreach。Tobeeverattainingyou，andyetneverattainingyou，andforthistolastforever，alwaysfreshandnew，andalwayswiththefirstflushuponus。

"Thatisnotthewaytheysaidit。Onmylipstheirlove-philosophyismangled。AndwhoamItodelveintotheirsoul-stuff？Iamafrog，onthedankedgeofagreatdarkness，gazinggoggle-eyedatthemysteryandwonderoftheirflamingsouls。

"Andtheywereright，asfarastheywent。Everythingisgood……aslongasitisunpossessed。SatietyandpossessionareDeath"shorses；theyruninspan。

""AndtimecouldonlytutorustoekeOurrapture"swarmthwithcustom"safterglow。"

"TheygotthatfromasonnetofAlfredAustin"s。Itwascalled"Love"sWisdom。"ItwastheonekissofMadelinedeMaupin。Howdiditrun？

""Kissweandpart；nofurthercanwego；

AndbetterdeaththanwefromhightolowShoulddwindle，ordeclinefromstrongtoweak。"

"Buttheywerewiser。Theywouldnotkissandpart。Theywouldnotkissatall，andthustheyplannedtostayatLove"stopmostpeak。Theymarried。YouwereinEnglandatthetime。Andneverwastheresuchamarriage。Theykepttheirsecrettothemselves。Ididnotknow，then。

Theirrapture"swarmthdidnotcool。Theirloveburnedwithincreasingbrightness。Neverwasthereanythinglikeit。Thetimepassed，themonths，theyears，andevertheflame-wingedlute-playergrewmoreresplendent。

"Everybodymarvelled。Theybecamethewonderfullovers，andtheyweregreatlyenvied。Sometimeswomenpitiedherbecauseshewaschildless；itistheformtheenvyofsuchcreaturestakes。

"AndIdidnotknowtheirsecret。IponderedandImarvelled。AsfirstI

hadexpected，subconsciouslyIimagine，thepassingoftheirlove。ThenI

becameawarethatitwasTimethatpassedandLovethatremained。ThenI

becamecurious。Whatwastheirsecret？WhatwerethemagicfetterswithwhichtheyboundLovetothem？Howdidtheyholdthegracelesself？WhatelixirofeternallovehadtheydrunktogetherashadTristramandIseultofoldtime？Andwhosehandhadbrewedthefairydrink？

"AsIsay，Iwascurious，andIwatchedthem。Theywerelove-mad。TheylivedinanunendingrevelofLove。Theymadeapompandceremonialofit。

TheysaturatedthemselvesintheartandpoetryofLove。No，theywerenotneurotics。Theyweresaneandhealthy，andtheywereartists。Buttheyhadaccomplishedtheimpossible。Theyhadachieveddeathlessdesire。

"AndI？IsawmuchofthemandtheireverlastingmiracleofLove。I

puzzledandwondered，andthenoneday——"

Carquinezbrokeoffabruptlyandasked，"Haveyoueverread，"Love"sWaitingTime"？"

Ishookmyhead。

"Pagewroteit——CurtisHiddenPage，Ithink。Well，itwasthatbitofversethatgavemetheclue。Oneday，inthewindow-seatnearthebigpiano——yourememberhowshecouldplay？Sheusedtolaugh，sometimes，anddoubtwhetheritwasforthemIcame，orforthemusic。Shecalledmea"music-sot"once，a"sound-debauchee。"Whatavoicehehad!WhenhesangIbelievedinimmortality，myregardforthegodsgrewalmostpatronizingandIdevisedwaysandmeanswherebyIsurelycouldoutwitthemandtheirtricks。

"ItwasaspectacleforGod，thatmanandwoman，yearsmarried，andsinginglove-songswithafreshnessvirginalasnew-bornLovehimself，witharipenessandwealthofardourthatyoungloverscanneverknow。Youngloverswerepaleandanaemicbesidethatlong-marriedpair。Toseethem，allfireandflameandtenderness，atatremblingdistance，lavishingcaressesofeyeandvoicewitheveryaction，througheverysilence——theirlovedrivingthemtowardeachother，andtheywithholdinglikeflutteringmoths，eachtotheotheracandle-flame，andrevolvingeachabouttheotherinthemadgyrationsofanamazingorbit-flight!Itseemed，inobediencetosomegreatlawofphysics，morepotentthangravitationandmoresubtle，thattheymustcorporeallymelteachintoeachtherebeforemyveryeyes。

Smallwondertheywerecalledthewonderfullovers。

"Ihavewandered。Nowtotheclue。Onedayinthewindow-seatIfoundabookofverse。Itopenedofitself，betrayinglonghabit，to"Love"sWaitingTime。"Thepagewasthumbedandlimpwithoverhandling，andthereIread:——

""Sosweetitistostandbutjustapart，Toknoweachotherbetter，andtokeepThesoft，delicioussenseoftwothattouch……

Olove，notyet!……Sweet，letuskeepourloveWrappedroundwithsacredmysteryawhile，Waitingthesecretofthecomingyears，Thatcomenotyet，notyet……sometime……

notyet……

Oh，yetalittlewhileourlovemaygrow!

Whenithasblossomeditwillhaplydie。

Feeditwithliplesskisses，letitsleep，Beddedindeaddenialyetsomewhile……

Oh，yetalittlewhile，alittlewhile。"

"Ifoldedthebookonmythumbandsattheresilentandwithoutmovingforalongtime。Iwasstunnedbytheclearnessofvisiontheversehadimpartedtome。Itwasillumination。ItwaslikeaboltofGod"slightninginthePit。TheywouldkeepLove，theficklesprite，theforerunnerofyounglife——younglifethatisimperativetobeborn!

"Iconnedthelinesoverinmymind——"Notyet，sometime"——"OLove，notyet"——"Feeditwithliplesskisses，letitsleep。"AndIlaughedaloud，ha，ha!Isawwithwhitevisiontheirblamelesssouls。Theywerechildren。Theydidnotunderstand。TheyplayedwithNature"sfireandbeddedwithanakedsword。Theylaughedatthegods。Theywouldstopthecosmicsap。Theyhadinventedasystem，andbroughtittothegaming-tableoflife，andexpectedtowinout。"Beware!"Icried。"Thegodsarebehindthetable。Theymakenewrulesforeverysystemthatisdevised。Youhavenochancetowin。"

"ButIdidnotsocrytothem。Iwaited。Theywouldlearnthattheirsystemwasworthlessandthrowitaway。Theywouldbecontentwithwhateverhappinessthegodsgavethemandnotstrivetowrestmoreaway。

"Iwatched。Isaidnothing。Themonthscontinuedtocomeandgo，andstillthefamine-edgeoftheirlovegrewthesharper。Neverdidtheydullitwithapermittedlove-clasp。Theygroundandwhetteditonself-denial，andsharperandsharperitgrew。ThiswentonuntilevenIdoubted。Didthegodssleep？Iwondered。Orweretheydead？Ilaughedtomyself。Themanandthewomanhadmadeamiracle。TheyhadoutwittedGod。Theyhadshamedtheflesh，andblackenedthefaceofthegoodEarthMother。Theyhadplayedwithherfireandnotbeenburned。Theywereimmune。Theywerethemselvesgods，knowinggoodfromevilandtastingnot。"Wasthisthewaygodscametobe？"Iaskedmyself。"Iamafrog，"Isaid。"Butformymud-

liddedeyesIshouldhavebeenblindedbythebrightnessofthiswonderI

havewitnessed。Ihavepuffedmyselfupwithmywisdomandpassedjudgmentupongods。"

"Yeteveninthis，mylatestwisdom，Iwaswrong。Theywerenotgods。

Theyweremanandwoman——softclaythatsighedandthrilled，shotthroughwithdesire，thumbedwithstrangeweaknesseswhichthegodshavenot。"

Carquinezbrokefromhisnarrativetorollanothercigaretteandtolaughharshly。Itwasnotaprettylaugh；itwaslikethemockeryofadevil，anditroseoverandrodetheroarofthestormthatcamemuffledtoourearsfromthecrashingoutsideworld。

"Iamafrog，"hesaidapologetically。"Howweretheytounderstand？Theywereartists，notbiologists。Theyknewtheclayofthestudio，buttheydidnotknowtheclayofwhichtheythemselvesweremade。ButthisIwillsay——theyplayedhigh。Neverwastheresuchagamebefore，andIdoubtmeiftherewilleverbesuchagameagain。

"Neverwaslovers"ecstasyliketheirs。TheyhadnotkilledLovewithkisses。Theyhadquickenedhimwithdenial。Andbydenialtheydrovehimontillhewasallaburstwithdesire。Andtheflame-wingedlute-playerfannedthemwithhiswarmwingstilltheywereallbutswooning。ItwastheverydeliriumofLove，anditcontinuedundiminishedandincreasingthroughtheweeksandmonths。

"Theylongedandyearned，withallthefondpangsandsweetdeliciousagonies，withanintensityneverfeltbyloversbeforenorsince。

"Andthenonedaythedrowsygodsceasednodding。Theyarousedandlookedatthemanandwomanwhohadmadeamockofthem。Andthemanandwomanlookedintoeachother"seyesonemorningandknewthatsomethingwasgone。

Itwastheflame-wingedone。Hehadfled，silently，inthenight，fromtheiranchorites"board。

"Theylookedintoeachother"seyesandknewthattheydidnotcare。

Desirewasdead。Doyouunderstand？Desirewasdead。Andtheyhadneverkissed。Notoncehadtheykissed。Lovewasgone。Theywouldneveryearnandburnagain。Forthemtherewasnothingleft——nomoretremblingsandflutteringsanddeliciousanguishes，nomorethrobbingandpulsing，andsighingandsong。Desirewasdead。Ithaddiedinthenight，onacouchcoldandunattended；norhadtheywitnesseditspassing。Theylearneditforthefirsttimeineachother"seyes。

"Thegodsmaynotbekind，buttheyareoftenmerciful。Theyhadtwirledthelittleivoryballandsweptthestakesfromthetable。Allthatremainedwasthemanandwomangazingintoeachother"scoldeyes。Andthenhedied。Thatwasthemercy。WithintheweekMarvinFiskewasdead——

youremembertheaccident。Andinherdiary，writtenatthistime，IlongafterwardreadMitchellKennerly"s:——

""TherewasnotasinglehourWemighthavekissedanddidnotkiss。""

"Oh，theironyofit!"Icriedout。

AndCarquinez，inthefirelightaveritableMephistophelesinvelvetjacket，fixedmewithhisblackeyes。

"Andtheywon，yousaid？Theworld"sjudgment!Ihavetoldyou，andI

know。Theywonasyouarewinning，hereinyourhills。"

"Butyou，"Idemandedhotly；"youwithyourorgiesofsoundandsense，withyourmadcitiesandmadderfrolics——bethinkyouthatyouwin？"

Heshookhisheadslowly。"Becauseyouwithyoursoberbucolicregime，lose，isnoreasonthatIshouldwin。Weneverwin。Sometimeswethinkwewin。Thatisalittlepleasantryofthegods。"

THEAPOSTATE

"NowIwakemeuptowork；

IpraytheLordImaynotshirk。

IfIshoulddiebeforethenight，IpraytheLordmywork"sallright。

Amen。"

"Ifyoudon"tgitup，Johnny，Iwon"tgiveyouabitetoeat!"

Thethreathadnoeffectontheboy。Heclungstubbornlytosleep，fightingforitsoblivionasthedreamerfightsforhisdream。Theboy"shandslooselyclenchedthemselves，andhemadefeeble，spasmodicblowsattheair。Theseblowswereintendedforhismother，butshebetrayedpractisedfamiliarityinavoidingthemassheshookhimroughlybytheshoulder。

"Lemme"lone!"

Itwasacrythatbegan，muffled，inthedeepsofsleep，thatswiftlyrushedupward，likeawail，intopassionatebelligerence，andthatdiedawayandsankdownintoaninarticulatewhine。Itwasabestialcry，asofasoulintorment，filledwithinfiniteprotestandpain。

Butshedidnotmind。Shewasasad-eyed，tired-facedwoman，andshehadgrownusedtothistask，whichsherepeatedeverydayofherlife。Shegotagriponthebedclothesandtriedtostripthemdown；buttheboy，ceasinghispunching，clungtothemdesperately。Inahuddle，atthefootofthebed，hestillremainedcovered。Thenshetrieddraggingthebeddingtothefloor。Theboyopposedher。Shebracedherself。Herswasthesuperiorweight，andtheboyandbeddinggave，theformerinstinctivelyfollowingthelatterinordertoshelteragainstthechilloftheroomthatbitintohisbody。

Ashetoppledontheedgeofthebeditseemedthathemustfallhead-firsttothefloor。Butconsciousnessflutteredupinhim。Herightedhimselfandforamomentperilouslybalanced。Thenhestrucktheflooronhisfeet。Ontheinstanthismotherseizedhimbytheshouldersandshookhim。

Againhisfistsstruckout，thistimewithmoreforceanddirectness。Atthesametimehiseyesopened。Shereleasedhim。Hewasawake。

"Allright，"hemumbled。

Shecaughtupthelampandhurriedout，leavinghimindarkness。

"You"llbedocked，"shewarnedbacktohim。

Hedidnotmindthedarkness。Whenhehadgotintohisclothes，hewentoutintothekitchen。Histreadwasveryheavyforsothinandlightaboy。Hislegsdraggedwiththeirownweight，whichseemedunreasonablebecausetheyweresuchskinnylegs。Hedrewabroken-bottomedchairtothetable。

"Johnny，"hismothercalledsharply。

Hearoseassharplyfromthechair，and，withoutaword，wenttothesink。

Itwasagreasy，filthysink。Asmellcameupfromtheoutlet。Hetooknonoticeofit。Thatasinkshouldsmellwastohimpartofthenaturalorder，justasitwasapartofthenaturalorderthatthesoapshouldbegrimywithdish-waterandhardtolather。Nordidhetryveryhardtomakeitlather。Severalsplashesofthecoldwaterfromtherunningfaucetcompletedthefunction。Hedidnotwashhisteeth。Forthatmatterhehadneverseenatoothbrush，nordidheknowthatthereexistedbeingsintheworldwhowereguiltyofsogreatafoolishnessastoothwashing。

"Youmightwashyourselfwunstadaywithoutbein"told，"hismothercomplained。

Shewasholdingabrokenlidonthepotasshepouredtwocupsofcoffee。

Hemadenoremark，forthiswasastandingquarrelbetweenthem，andtheonethinguponwhichhismotherwashardasadamant。"Wunst"adayitwascompulsorythatheshouldwashhisface。Hedriedhimselfonagreasytowel，dampanddirtyandragged，thatlefthisfacecoveredwithshredsoflint。

"Iwishwedidn"tlivesofaraway，"shesaid，ashesatdown。"ItrytodothebestIcan。Youknowthat。Butadollarontherentissuchasavin"，an"we"vemoreroomhere。Youknowthat。"

Hescarcelyfollowedher。Hehadhearditallbefore，manytimes。Therangeofherthoughtwaslimited，andshewaseverharkingbacktothehardshipworkeduponthembylivingsofarfromthemills。

"Adollarmeansmoregrub，"heremarkedsententiously。"I"dsoonerdothewalkin"an"gitthegrub。"

Heatehurriedly，halfchewingthebreadandwashingtheunmasticatedchunksdownwithcoffee。Thehotandmuddyliquidwentbythenameofcoffee。Johnnythoughtitwascoffee——andexcellentcoffee。Thatwasoneofthefewoflife"sillusionsthatremainedtohim。Hehadneverdrunkrealcoffeeinhislife。

Inadditiontothebread，therewasasmallpieceofcoldpork。Hismotherrefilledhiscupwithcoffee。Ashewasfinishingthebread，hebegantowatchifmorewasforthcoming。Sheinterceptedhisquestioningglance。

"Now，don"tbehoggish，Johnny，"washercomment。"You"vehadyourshare。

Yourbrothersan"sistersaresmaller"nyou。"

Hedidnotanswertherebuke。Hewasnotmuchofatalker。Also，heceasedhishungryglancingformore。Hewasuncomplaining，withapatiencethatwasasterribleastheschoolinwhichithadbeenlearned。Hefinishedhiscoffee，wipedhismouthonthebackofhishand，andstartedtorise。

"Waitasecond，"shesaidhastily。"Iguesstheloafkinstandyouanotherslice——athinun。"

Therewaslegerdemaininheractions。Withalltheseemingofcuttingaslicefromtheloafforhim，sheputloafandslicebackinthebreadboxandconveyedtohimoneofherowntwoslices。Shebelievedshehaddeceivedhim，buthehadnotedhersleight-of-hand。Nevertheless，hetookthebreadshamelessly。Hehadaphilosophythathismother，becauseofherchronicsickliness，wasnotmuchofaneateranyway。

Shesawthathewaschewingthebreaddry，andreachedoverandemptiedhercoffeecupintohis。

"Don"tsetgoodsomehowonmystomachthismorning，"sheexplained。

Adistantwhistle，prolongedandshrieking，broughtbothofthemtotheirfeet。Sheglancedatthetinalarm-clockontheshelf。Thehandsstoodathalf-pastfive。Therestofthefactoryworldwasjustarousingfromsleep。Shedrewashawlabouthershoulders，andonherheadputadingyhat，shapelessandancient。

"We"vegottorun，"shesaid，turningthewickofthelampandblowingdownthechimney。

Theygropedtheirwayoutanddownthestairs。Itwasclearandcold，andJohnnyshiveredatthefirstcontactwiththeoutsideair。Thestarshadnotyetbeguntopaleinthesky，andthecitylayinblackness。BothJohnnyandhismothershuffledtheirfeetastheywalked。Therewasnoambitioninthelegmusclestoswingthefeetclearoftheground。

Afterfifteensilentminutes，hismotherturnedofftotheright。

"Don"tbelate，"washerfinalwarningfromoutofthedarkthatwasswallowingherup。

Hemadenoresponse，steadilykeepingonhisway。Inthefactoryquarter，doorswereopeningeverywhere，andhewassoononeofamultitudethatpressedonwardthroughthedark。Asheenteredthefactorygatethewhistleblewagain。Heglancedattheeast。Acrossaraggedsky-lineofhousetopsapalelightwasbeginningtocreep。Thismuchhesawofthedayasheturnedhisbackuponitandjoinedhisworkgang。

Hetookhisplaceinoneofmanylongrowsofmachines。Beforehim，aboveabinfilledwithsmallbobbins，werelargebobbinsrevolvingrapidly。

Uponthesehewoundthejute-twineofthesmallbobbins。Theworkwassimple。Allthatwasrequiredwascelerity。Thesmallbobbinswereemptiedsorapidly，andthereweresomanylargebobbinsthatdidtheemptying，thattherewerenoidlemoments。

Heworkedmechanically。Whenasmallbobbinranout，heusedhislefthandforabrake，stoppingthelargebobbinandatthesametime，withthumbandforefinger，catchingtheflyingendoftwine。Also，atthesametime，withhisrighthand，hecaughtuptheloosetwine-endofasmallbobbin。Thesevariousactswithbothhandswereperformedsimultaneouslyandswiftly。

Thentherewouldcomeaflashofhishandsasheloopedtheweaver"sknotandreleasedthebobbin。Therewasnothingdifficultaboutweaver"sknots。

Heonceboastedhecouldtietheminhissleep。Andforthatmatter，hesometimesdid，toilingcenturieslonginasinglenightattyinganendlesssuccessionofweaver"sknots。

Someoftheboysshirked，wastingtimeandmachinerybynotreplacingthesmallbobbinswhentheyranout。Andtherewasanoverseertopreventthis。HecaughtJohnny"sneighbouratthetrick，andboxedhisears。

"LookatJohnnythere——whyain"tyoulikehim？"theoverseerwrathfullydemanded。

Johnny"sbobbinswererunningfullblast，buthedidnotthrillattheindirectpraise。Therehadbeenatime……butthatwaslongago，verylongago。Hisapatheticfacewasexpressionlessashelistenedtohimselfbeingheldupasashiningexample。Hewastheperfectworker。Heknewthat。Hehadbeentoldso，often。Itwasacommonplace，andbesidesitdidn"tseemtomeananythingtohimanymore。Fromtheperfectworkerhehadevolvedintotheperfectmachine。Whenhisworkwentwrong，itwaswithhimaswiththemachine，duetofaultymaterial。Itwouldhavebeenaspossibleforaperfectnail-dietocutimperfectnailsasforhimtomakeamistake。

Andsmallwonder。Therehadneverbeenatimewhenhehadnotbeeninintimaterelationshipwithmachines。Machineryhadalmostbeenbredintohim，andatanyratehehadbeenbroughtuponit。Twelveyearsbefore，therehadbeenasmallflutterofexcitementintheloomroomofthisverymill。Johnny"smotherhadfainted。Theystretchedheroutonthefloorinthemidstoftheshriekingmachines。Acoupleofelderlywomenwerecalledfromtheirlooms。Theforemanassisted。Andinafewminutestherewasonemoresoulintheloomroomthanhadenteredbythedoors。ItwasJohnny，bornwiththepounding，crashingroaroftheloomsinhisears，drawingwithhisfirstbreaththewarm，moistairthatwasthickwithflyinglint。Hehadcoughedthatfirstdayinordertoridhislungsofthelint；andforthesamereasonhehadcoughedeversince。

TheboyalongsideofJohnnywhimperedandsniffed。Theboy"sfacewasconvulsedwithhatredfortheoverseerwhokeptathreateningeyeonhimfromadistance；buteverybobbinwasrunningfull。Theboyyelledterribleoathsintothewhirlingbobbinsbeforehim；butthesounddidnotcarryhalfadozenfeet，theroaringoftheroomholdingitinandcontainingitlikeawall。

OfallthisJohnnytooknonotice。Hehadawayofacceptingthings。

Besides，thingsgrowmonotonousbyrepetition，andthisparticularhappeninghehadwitnessedmanytimes。Itseemedtohimasuselesstoopposetheoverseerastodefythewillofamachine。Machinesweremadetogoincertainwaysandtoperformcertaintasks。Itwasthesamewiththeoverseer。

Butateleveno"clocktherewasexcitementintheroom。Inanapparentlyoccultwaytheexcitementinstantlypermeatedeverywhere。Theone-leggedboywhoworkedontheothersideofJohnnybobbedswiftlyacrossthefloortoabintruckthatstoodempty。Intothishedivedoutofsight，crutchandall。Thesuperintendentofthemillwascomingalong，accompaniedbyayoungman。Hewaswelldressedandworeastarchedshirt——agentleman，inJohnny"sclassificationofmen，andalso，"theInspector。"

Helookedsharplyattheboysashepassedalong。Sometimeshestoppedandaskedquestions。Whenhedidso，hewascompelledtoshoutatthetopofhislungs，atwhichmomentshisfacewasludicrouslycontortedwiththestrainofmakinghimselfheard。HisquickeyenotedtheemptymachinealongsideofJohnny"s，buthesaidnothing。Johnnyalsocaughthiseye，andhestoppedabruptly。HecaughtJohnnybythearmtodrawhimbackastepfromthemachine；butwithanexclamationofsurprisehereleasedthearm。

"Prettyskinny，"thesuperintendentlaughedanxiously。

"Pipestems，"wastheanswer。"Lookatthoselegs。Theboy"sgottherickets——incipient，buthe"sgotthem。Ifepilepsydoesn"tgethimintheend，itwillbebecausetuberculosisgetshimfirst。"

Johnnylistened，butdidnotunderstand。Furthermorehewasnotinterestedinfutureills。Therewasanimmediateandmoreseriousillthatthreatenedhimintheformoftheinspector。

"Now，myboy，Iwantyoutotellmethetruth，"theinspectorsaid，orshouted，bendingclosetotheboy"seartomakehimhear。"Howoldareyou？"

"Fourteen，"Johnnylied，andheliedwiththefullforceofhislungs。Soloudlydidheliethatitstartedhimoffinadry，hackingcoughthatliftedthelintwhichhadbeensettlinginhislungsallmorning。

"Lookssixteenatleast，"saidthesuperintendent。

"Orsixty，"snappedtheinspector。

"He"salwayslookedthatway。"

"Howlong？"askedtheinspector，quickly。

"Foryears。Nevergetsabitolder。"

"Oryounger，Idaresay。Isupposehe"sworkedhereallthoseyears？"

"Offandon——butthatwasbeforethenewlawwaspassed，"thesuperintendenthastenedtoadd。

"Machineidle？"theinspectorasked，pointingattheunoccupiedmachinebesideJohnny"s，inwhichthepart-filledbobbinswereflyinglikemad。

"Looksthatway。"Thesuperintendentmotionedtheoverseertohimandshoutedinhisearandpointedatthemachine。"Machine"sidle，"hereportedbacktotheinspector。

Theypassedon，andJohnnyreturnedtohiswork，relievedinthattheillhadbeenaverted。Buttheone-leggedboywasnotsofortunate。Thesharp-

eyedinspectorhaledhimoutatarmslengthfromthebintruck。Hislipswerequivering，andhisfacehadalltheexpressionofoneuponwhomwasfallenprofoundandirremediabledisaster。Theoverseerlookedastounded，asthoughforthefirsttimehehadlaideyesontheboy，whilethesuperintendent"sfaceexpressedshockanddispleasure。

"Iknowhim，"theinspectorsaid。"He"stwelveyearsold。I"vehadhimdischargedfromthreefactoriesinsidetheyear。Thismakesthefourth。"

Heturnedtotheone-leggedboy。"Youpromisedme，wordandhonour，thatyou"dgotoschool。"

Theone-leggedboyburstintotears。"Please，Mr。Inspector，twobabiesdiedonus，andwe"reawfulpoor。"

"Whatmakesyoucoughthatway？"theinspectordemanded，asthoughcharginghimwithcrime。

Andasindenialofguilt，theone-leggedboyreplied:"Itain"tnothin"。

Ijes"caughtacoldlastweek，Mr。Inspector，that"sall。"

Intheendtheone-leggedboywentoutoftheroomwiththeinspector，thelatteraccompaniedbytheanxiousandprotestingsuperintendent。Afterthatmonotonysettleddownagain。Thelongmorningandthelongerafternoonworeawayandthewhistleblewforquittingtime。DarknesshadalreadyfallenwhenJohnnypassedoutthroughthefactorygate。Intheintervalthesunhadmadeagoldenladderofthesky，floodedtheworldwithitsgraciouswarmth，anddroppeddownanddisappearedinthewestbehindaraggedsky-lineofhousetops。

Supperwasthefamilymealoftheday——theonemealatwhichJohnnyencounteredhisyoungerbrothersandsisters。Itpartookofthenatureofanencounter，tohim，forhewasveryold，whiletheyweredistressinglyyoung。Hehadnopatiencewiththeirexcessiveandamazingjuvenility。Hedidnotunderstandit。Hisownchildhoodwastoofarbehindhim。Hewaslikeanoldandirritableman，annoyedbytheturbulenceoftheiryoungspiritsthatwastohimarrantsilliness。Hegloweredsilentlyoverhisfood，findingcompensationinthethoughtthattheywouldsoonhavetogotowork。Thatwouldtaketheedgeoffofthemandmakethemsedateanddignified——likehim。Thusitwas，afterthefashionofthehuman，thatJohnnymadeofhimselfayardstickwithwhichtomeasuretheuniverse。

Duringthemeal，hismotherexplainedinvariouswaysandwithinfiniterepetitionthatshewastryingtodothebestshecould；sothatitwaswithrelief，thescantmealended，thatJohnnyshovedbackhischairandarose。Hedebatedforamomentbetweenbedandthefrontdoor，andfinallywentoutthelatter。Hedidnotgofar。Hesatdownonthestoop，hiskneesdrawnupandhisnarrowshouldersdroopingforward，hiselbowsonhiskneesandthepalmsofhishandssupportinghischin。

Ashesatthere，hedidnothinking。Hewasjustresting。Sofarashismindwasconcerned，itwasasleep。Hisbrothersandsisterscameout，andwithotherchildrenplayednoisilyabouthim。Anelectricglobeatthecornerlightedtheirfrolics。Hewaspeevishandirritable，thattheyknew；butthespiritofadventureluredthemintoteasinghim。Theyjoinedhandsbeforehim，and，keepingtimewiththeirbodies，chantedinhisfaceweirdanduncomplimentarydoggerel。Atfirsthesnarledcursesatthem——

curseshehadlearnedfromthelipsofvariousforemen。Findingthisfutile，andrememberinghisdignity，herelapsedintodoggedsilence。

HisbrotherWill，nexttohiminage，havingjustpassedhistenthbirthday，wastheringleader。Johnnydidnotpossessparticularlykindlyfeelingstowardhim。HislifehadearlybeenembitteredbycontinualgivingoverandgivingwaytoWill。HehadadefinitefeelingthatWillwasgreatlyinhisdebtandwasungratefulaboutit。Inhisownplaytime，farbackinthedimpast，hehadbeenrobbedofalargepartofthatplaytimebybeingcompelledtotakecareofWill。Willwasababythen，andthen，asnow，theirmotherhadspentherdaysinthemills。ToJohnnyhadfallenthepartoflittlefatherandlittlemotheraswell。

Willseemedtoshowthebenefitofthegivingoverandthegivingway。Hewaswell-built，fairlyrugged，astallashiselderbrotherandevenheavier。Itwasasthoughthelife-bloodoftheonehadbeendivertedintotheother"sveins。Andinspiritsitwasthesame。Johnnywasjaded，wornout，withoutresilience，whilehisyoungerbrotherseemedburstingandspillingoverwithexuberance。

Themockingchantroselouderandlouder。Willleanedcloserashedanced，thrustingouthistongue。Johnny"sleftarmshotoutandcaughttheotheraroundtheneck。Atthesametimeherappedhisbonyfisttotheother"snose。Itwasapatheticallybonyfist，butthatitwassharptohurtwasevidencedbythesquealofpainitproduced。Theotherchildrenwereutteringfrightenedcries，whileJohnny"ssister，Jennie，haddashedintothehouse。

HethrustWillfromhim，kickedhimsavagelyontheshins，thenreachedforhimandslammedhimfacedownwardinthedirt。Nordidhereleasehimtillthefacehadbeenrubbedintothedirtseveraltimes。Thenthemotherarrived，ananaemicwhirlwindofsolicitudeandmaternalwrath。

"Whycan"theleavemealone？"wasJohnny"sreplytoherupbraiding。

"Can"theseeI"mtired？"

"I"masbigasyou，"Willragedinherarms，hisfaceamassoftears，dirt，andblood。"I"masbigasyounow，an"I"mgoin"togitbigger。

ThenI"lllickyou——seeifIdon"t。"

"Yououghttobetowork，seein"howbigyouare，"Johnnysnarled。"That"swhat"sthematterwithyou。Yououghttobetowork。An"it"suptoyourmatoputyoutowork。"

"Buthe"stooyoung，"sheprotested。"He"sonlyalittleboy。"

"Iwasyounger"nhimwhenIstartedtowork。"

Johnny"smouthwasopen，furthertoexpressthesenseofunfairnessthathefelt，butthemouthclosedwithasnap。Heturnedgloomilyonhisheelandstalkedintothehouseandtobed。Thedoorofhisroomwasopentoletinwarmthfromthekitchen。Asheundressedinthesemi-darknesshecouldhearhismothertalkingwithaneighbourwomanwhohaddroppedin。Hismotherwascrying，andherspeechwaspunctuatedwithspiritlesssniffles。

"Ican"tmakeoutwhat"sgittin"intoJohnny，"hecouldhearhersay。"Hedidn"tusedtobethisway。Hewasapatientlittleangel。

"An"heisagoodboy，"shehastenedtodefend。"He"sworkedfaithful，an"

hedidgotoworktooyoung。Butitwasn"tmyfault。IdothebestIcan，I"msure。"

Prolongedsnifflingfromthekitchen，andJohnnymurmuredtohimselfashiseyelidscloseddown，"YoubetcherlifeI"veworkedfaithful。"

Thenextmorninghewastornbodilybyhismotherfromthegripofsleep。

Thencamethemeagrebreakfast，thetrampthroughthedark，andthepaleglimpseofdayacrossthehousetopsasheturnedhisbackonitandwentinthroughthefactorygate。Itwasanotherday，ofallthedays，andallthedayswerealike。

Andyettherehadbeenvarietyinhislife——atthetimeshechangedfromonejobtoanother，orwastakensick。Whenhewassix，hewaslittlemotherandfathertoWillandtheotherchildrenstillyounger。Atsevenhewentintothemills——windingbobbins。Whenhewaseight，hegotworkinanothermill。Hisnewjobwasmarvellouslyeasy。Allhehadtodowastositdownwithalittlestickinhishandandguideastreamofcloththatflowedpasthim。Thisstreamofclothcameoutofthemawofamachine，passedoverahotroller，andwentonitswayelsewhere。Buthesatalwaysinoneplace，beyondthereachofdaylight，agas-jetflaringoverhim，himselfpartofthemechanism。

Hewasveryhappyatthatjob，inspiteofthemoistheat，forhewasstillyoungandinpossessionofdreamsandillusions。Andwonderfuldreamshedreamedashewatchedthesteamingclothstreamingendlesslyby。Buttherewasnoexerciseaboutthework，nocalluponhismind，andhedreamedlessandless，whilehismindgrewtorpidanddrowsy。Nevertheless，heearnedtwodollarsaweek，andtwodollarsrepresentedthedifferencebetweenacutestarvationandchronicunderfeeding。

Butwhenhewasnine，helosthisjob。Measleswasthecauseofit。Afterherecovered，hegotworkinaglassfactory。Thepaywasbetter，andtheworkdemandedskill。Itwaspiecework，andthemoreskilfulhewas，thebiggerwagesheearned。Herewasincentive。Andunderthisincentivehedevelopedintoaremarkableworker。

Itwassimplework，thetyingofglassstoppersintosmallbottles。Athiswaisthecarriedabundleoftwine。Heheldthebottlesbetweenhiskneessothathemightworkwithbothhands。Thus，inasittingpositionandbendingoverhisownknees，hisnarrowshouldersgrewhumpedandhischestwascontractedfortenhourseachday。Thiswasnotgoodforthelungs，buthetiedthreehundreddozenbottlesaday。

Thesuperintendentwasveryproudofhim，andbroughtvisitorstolookathim。Intenhoursthreehundreddozenbottlespassedthroughhishands。

Thismeantthathehadattainedmachine-likeperfection。Allwastemovementswereeliminated。Everymotionofhisthinarms，everymovementofamuscleinthethinfingers，wasswiftandaccurate。Heworkedathightension，andtheresultwasthathegrewnervous。Atnighthismusclestwitchedinhissleep，andinthedaytimehecouldnotrelaxandrest。Heremainedkeyedupandhismusclescontinuedtotwitch。Alsohegrewsallowandhislint-coughgrewworse。Thenpneumonialaidholdofthefeeblelungswithinthecontractedchest，andhelosthisjobintheglass-works。

Nowhehadreturnedtothejutemillswherehehadfirstbegunwithwindingbobbins。Butpromotionwaswaitingforhim。Hewasagoodworker。Hewouldnextgoonthestarcher，andlaterhewouldgointotheloomroom。

Therewasnothingafterthatexceptincreasedefficiency。

Themachineryranfasterthanwhenhehadfirstgonetowork，andhismindranslower。Henolongerdreamedatall，thoughhisearlieryearshadbeenfullofdreaming。Oncehehadbeeninlove。Itwaswhenhefirstbeganguidingtheclothoverthehotroller，anditwaswiththedaughterofthesuperintendent。Shewasmucholderthanhe，ayoungwoman，andhehadseenheratadistanceonlyapaltryhalf-dozentimes。Butthatmadenodifference。Onthesurfaceoftheclothstreamthatpouredpasthim，hepicturedradiantfutureswhereinheperformedprodigiesoftoil，inventedmiraculousmachines，wontothemastershipofthemills，andintheendtookherinhisarmsandkissedhersoberlyonthebrow。

Butthatwasallinthelongago，beforehehadgrowntoooldandtiredtolove。Also，shehadmarriedandgoneaway，andhismindhadgonetosleep。

Yetithadbeenawonderfulexperience，andheusedoftentolookbackuponitasothermenandwomenlookbackuponthetimetheybelievedinfairies。

HehadneverbelievedinfairiesnorSantaClaus；buthehadbelievedimplicitlyinthesmilingfuturehisimaginationhadwroughtintothesteamingclothstream。

Hehadbecomeamanveryearlyinlife。Atseven，whenhedrewhisfirstwages，beganhisadolescence。Acertainfeelingofindependencecreptupinhim，andtherelationshipbetweenhimandhismotherchanged。Somehow，asanearnerandbreadwinner，doinghisownworkintheworld，hewasmorelikeanequalwithher。Manhood，full-blownmanhood，hadcomewhenhewaseleven，atwhichtimehehadgonetoworkonthenightshiftforsixmonths。Nochildworksonthenightshiftandremainsachild。

Therehadbeenseveralgreateventsinhislife。OneofthesehadbeenwhenhismotherboughtsomeCaliforniaprunes。Twoothershadbeenthetwotimeswhenshecookedcustard。Thosehadbeenevents。Herememberedthemkindly。Andatthattimehismotherhadtoldhimofablissfuldishshewouldsometimemake——"floatingisland，"shehadcalledit，"betterthancustard。"Foryearshehadlookedforwardtothedaywhenhewouldsitdowntothetablewithfloatingislandbeforehim，untilatlasthehadrelegatedtheideaofittothelimboofunattainableideals。

Oncehefoundasilverquarterlyingonthesidewalk。That，also，wasagreateventinhislife，withalatragicone。Heknewhisdutyontheinstantthesilverflashedonhiseyes，beforeevenhehadpickeditup。

Athome，asusual，therewasnotenoughtoeat，andhomeheshouldhavetakenitashedidhiswageseverySaturdaynight。Rightconductinthiscasewasobvious；butheneverhadanyspendingofhismoney，andhewassufferingfromcandyhunger。Hewasravenousforthesweetsthatonlyonred-letterdayshehadevertastedinhislife。

Hedidnotattempttodeceivehimself。Heknewitwassin，anddeliberatelyhesinnedwhenhewentonafifteen-centcandydebauch。Tencentshesavedforafutureorgy；butnotbeingaccustomedtothecarryingofmoney，helostthetencents。Thisoccurredatthetimewhenhewassufferingallthetormentsofconscience，anditwastohimanactofdivineretribution。HehadafrightenedsenseoftheclosenessofanawfulandwrathfulGod。Godhadseen，andGodhadbeenswifttopunish，denyinghimeventhefullwagesofsin。

Inmemoryhealwayslookedbackuponthatastheonegreatcriminaldeedofhislife，andattherecollectionhisconsciencealwaysawokeandgavehimanothertwinge。Itwastheoneskeletoninhiscloset。Also，beingsomade，andcircumstanced，helookedbackuponthedeedwithregret。Hewasdissatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichhehadspentthequarter。Hecouldhaveinvesteditbetter，and，outofhislaterknowledgeofthequicknessofGod，hewouldhavebeatenGodoutbyspendingthewholequarteratonefellswoop。Inretrospecthespentthequarterathousandtimes，andeachtimetobetteradvantage。

Therewasoneothermemoryofthepast，dimandfaded，butstampedintohissouleverlastingbythesavagefeetofhisfather。Itwasmorelikeanightmarethanarememberedvisionofaconcretething——moreliketherace-

memoryofmanthatmakeshimfallinhissleepandthatgoesbacktohisarborealancestry。

ThisparticularmemorynevercametoJohnnyinbroaddaylightwhenhewaswideawake。Itcameatnight，inbed，atthemomentthathisconsciousnesswassinkingdownandlosingitselfinsleep。Italwaysarousedhimtofrightenedwakefulness，andforthemoment，inthefirstsickeningstart，itseemedtohimthathelaycrosswiseonthefootofthebed。Inthebedwerethevagueformsofhisfatherandmother。Heneversawwhathisfatherlookedlike。Hehadbutoneimpressionofhisfather，andthatwasthathehadsavageandpitilessfeet。

Hisearliermemorieslingeredwithhim，buthehadnolatememories。Alldayswerealike。Yesterdayorlastyearwerethesameasathousandyears——

oraminute。Nothingeverhappened。Therewerenoeventstomarkthemarchoftime。Timedidnotmarch。Itstoodalwaysstill。Itwasonlythewhirlingmachinesthatmoved，andtheymovednowhere——inspiteofthefactthattheymovedfaster。

Whenhewasfourteen，hewenttoworkonthestarcher。Itwasacolossalevent。Somethinghadatlasthappenedthatcouldberememberedbeyondanight"ssleeporaweek"spay-day。Itmarkedanera。ItwasamachineOlympiad，athingtodatefrom。"WhenIwenttoworkonthestarcher，"or，"after，"or"beforeIwenttoworkonthestarcher，"weresentencesoftenonhislips。

Hecelebratedhissixteenthbirthdaybygoingintotheloomroomandtakingaloom。Herewasanincentiveagain，foritwaspiece-work。Andheexcelled，becausetheclayofhimhadbeenmouldedbythemillsintotheperfectmachine。Attheendofthreemonthshewasrunningtwolooms，and，later，threeandfour。

Attheendofhissecondyearattheloomshewasturningoutmoreyardsthananyotherweaver，andmorethantwiceasmuchassomeofthelessskilfulones。Andathomethingsbegantoprosperasheapproachedthefullstatureofhisearningpower。Not，however，thathisincreasedearningswereinexcessofneed。Thechildrenweregrowingup。Theyatemore。Andtheyweregoingtoschool，andschool-bookscostmoney。Andsomehow，thefasterheworked，thefasterclimbedthepricesofthings。

Eventherentwentup，thoughthehousehadfallenfrombadtoworsedisrepair。