第4章

OneoftheBentleysisterscookedthelittleanimalandheateitwithgreatgusto。Theskinhetackedonaboardandsuspendedtheboardbyastringfromhisbedroomwindow。

Thatgavehismindanewturn。Afterthatheneverwentintothewoodswithoutcarryingtheslinginhispocketandhespenthoursshootingatimaginaryanimalsconcealedamongthebrownleavesinthetrees。Thoughtsofhiscomingmanhoodpassedandhewascontenttobeaboywithaboy"simpulses。

OneSaturdaymorningwhenhewasabouttosetoffforthewoodswiththeslinginhispocketandabagfornutsonhisshoulder，hisgrandfatherstoppedhim。IntheeyesoftheoldmanwasthestrainedseriouslookthatalwaysalittlefrightenedDavid。AtsuchtimesJesseBentley"seyesdidnotlookstraightaheadbutwaveredandseemedtobelookingatnothing。Somethinglikeaninvisiblecurtainap-

pearedtohavecomebetweenthemanandalltherestoftheworld。"Iwantyoutocomewithme，"

hesaidbriefly，andhiseyeslookedovertheboy"sheadintothesky。"Wehavesomethingimportanttodotoday。Youmaybringthebagfornutsifyouwish。Itdoesnotmatterandanywaywewillbegoingintothewoods。"

JesseandDavidsetoutfromtheBentleyfarm-

houseintheoldphaetonthatwasdrawnbythewhitehorse。Whentheyhadgonealonginsilenceforalongwaytheystoppedattheedgeofafieldwhereaflockofsheepweregrazing。Amongthesheepwasalambthathadbeenbornoutofseason，andthisDavidandhisgrandfathercaughtandtiedsotightlythatitlookedlikealittlewhiteball。WhentheydroveonagainJesseletDavidholdthelambinhisarms。"IsawityesterdayanditputmeinmindofwhatIhavelongwantedtodo，"hesaid，andagainhelookedawayovertheheadoftheboywiththewavering，uncertainstareinhiseyes。

Afterthefeelingofexaltationthathadcometothefarmerasaresultofhissuccessfulyear，anothermoodhadtakenpossessionofhim。Foralongtimehehadbeengoingaboutfeelingveryhumbleandprayerful。AgainhewalkedaloneatnightthinkingofGodandashewalkedheagainconnectedhisownfigurewiththefiguresofolddays。Underthestarshekneltonthewetgrassandraiseduphisvoiceinprayer。NowhehaddecidedthatlikethemenwhosestoriesfilledthepagesoftheBible，hewouldmakeasacrificetoGod。"IhavebeengiventheseabundantcropsandGodhasalsosentmeaboywhoiscalledDavid，"hewhisperedtohimself。

"PerhapsIshouldhavedonethisthinglongago。"

HewassorrytheideahadnotcomeintohismindinthedaysbeforehisdaughterLouisehadbeenbornandthoughtthatsurelynowwhenhehaderectedapileofburningsticksinsomelonelyplaceinthewoodsandhadofferedthebodyofalambasaburntoffering，Godwouldappeartohimandgivehimamessage。

Moreandmoreashethoughtofthematter，hethoughtalsoofDavidandhispassionateself-lovewaspartiallyforgotten。"Itistimefortheboytobeginthinkingofgoingoutintotheworldandthemessagewillbeoneconcerninghim，"hedecided。

"Godwillmakeapathwayforhim。HewilltellmewhatplaceDavidistotakeinlifeandwhenheshallsetoutonhisjourney。Itisrightthattheboyshouldbethere。IfIamfortunateandanangelofGodshouldappear，DavidwillseethebeautyandgloryofGodmademanifesttoman。ItwillmakeatruemanofGodofhimalso。"

InsilenceJesseandDaviddrovealongtheroaduntiltheycametothatplacewhereJessehadoncebeforeappealedtoGodandhadfrightenedhisgrandson。Themorninghadbeenbrightandcheer-

ful，butacoldwindnowbegantoblowandcloudshidthesun。WhenDavidsawtheplacetowhichtheyhadcomehebegantotremblewithfright，andwhentheystoppedbythebridgewherethecreekcamedownfromamongthetrees，hewantedtospringoutofthephaetonandrunaway。

AdozenplansforescaperanthroughDavid"shead，butwhenJessestoppedthehorseandclimbedoverthefenceintothewood，hefollowed。"Itisfoolishtobeafraid。Nothingwillhappen，"hetoldhimselfashewentalongwiththelambinhisarms。

Therewassomethinginthehelplessnessofthelittleanimalheldsotightlyinhisarmsthatgavehimcourage。Hecouldfeeltherapidbeatingofthebeast"sheartandthatmadehisownheartbeatlessrapidly。Ashewalkedswiftlyalongbehindhisgrandfather，heuntiedthestringwithwhichthefourlegsofthelambwerefastenedtogether。"Ifanythinghappenswewillrunawaytogether，"hethought。

Inthewoods，aftertheyhadgonealongwayfromtheroad，Jessestoppedinanopeningamongthetreeswhereaclearing，overgrownwithsmallbushes，ranupfromthecreek。Hewasstillsilentbutbeganatoncetoerectaheapofdrystickswhichhepresentlysetafire。Theboysatonthegroundwiththelambinhisarms。Hisimaginationbegantoinvesteverymovementoftheoldmanwithsignifi-

canceandhebecameeverymomentmoreafraid。"I

mustputthebloodofthelambontheheadoftheboy，"Jessemutteredwhenthestickshadbeguntoblazegreedily，andtakingalongknifefromhispocketheturnedandwalkedrapidlyacrosstheclearingtowardDavid。

Terrorseizeduponthesouloftheboy。Hewassickwithit。Foramomenthesatperfectlystillandthenhisbodystiffenedandhesprangtohisfeet。

Hisfacebecameaswhiteasthefleeceofthelambthat，nowfindingitselfsuddenlyreleased，randownthehill。Davidranalso。Fearmadehisfeetfly。Overthelowbushesandlogsheleapedfrantically。Asheranheputhishandintohispocketandtookoutthebranchedstickfromwhichtheslingforshootingsquirrelswassuspended。Whenhecametothecreekthatwasshallowandsplasheddownoverthestones，hedashedintothewaterandturnedtolookback，andwhenhesawhisgrandfatherstillrunningtowardhimwiththelongknifeheldtightlyinhishandhedidnothesitate，butreachingdown，se-

lectedastoneandputitinthesling。Withallhisstrengthhedrewbacktheheavyrubberbandsandthestonewhistledthroughtheair。IthitJesse，whohadentirelyforgottentheboyandwaspursuingthelamb，squarelyinthehead。Withagroanhepitchedforwardandfellalmostattheboy"sfeet。WhenDavidsawthathelaystillandthathewasappar-

entlydead，hisfrightincreasedimmeasurably。Itbe-

cameaninsanepanic。

Withacryheturnedandranoffthroughthewoodsweepingconvulsively。"Idon"tcare——Ikilledhim，butIdon"tcare，"hesobbed。AsheranonandonhedecidedsuddenlythathewouldnevergobackagaintotheBentleyfarmsortothetownofWinesburg。"IhavekilledthemanofGodandnowIwillmyselfbeamanandgointotheworld，"hesaidstoutlyashestoppedrunningandwalkedrap-

idlydownaroadthatfollowedthewindingsofWineCreekasitranthroughfieldsandforestsintothewest。

OnthegroundbythecreekJesseBentleymoveduneasilyabout。Hegroanedandopenedhiseyes。

Foralongtimehelayperfectlystillandlookedatthesky。Whenatlasthegottohisfeet，hismindwasconfusedandhewasnotsurprisedbytheboy"sdisappearance。BytheroadsidehesatdownonalogandbegantotalkaboutGod。Thatisalltheyevergotoutofhim。WheneverDavid"snamewasmentionedhelookedvaguelyattheskyandsaidthatamessengerfromGodhadtakentheboy。"IthappenedbecauseIwastoogreedyforglory，"hedeclared，andwouldhavenomoretosayinthematter。

AMANOFIDEAS

HELIVEDWITHhismother，agrey，silentwomanwithapeculiarashycomplexion。Thehouseinwhichtheylivedstoodinalittlegroveoftreesbe-

yondwherethemainstreetofWinesburgcrossedWineCreek。HisnamewasJoeWelling，andhisfa-

therhadbeenamanofsomedignityinthecommu-

nity，alawyer，andamemberofthestatelegislatureatColumbus。Joehimselfwassmallofbodyandinhischaracterunlikeanyoneelseintown。Hewaslikeatinylittlevolcanothatliessilentfordaysandthensuddenlyspoutsfire。No，hewasn"tlikethat——

hewaslikeamanwhoissubjecttofits，onewhowalksamonghisfellowmeninspiringfearbecauseafitmaycomeuponhimsuddenlyandblowhimawayintoastrangeuncannyphysicalstateinwhichhiseyesrollandhislegsandarmsjerk。Hewaslikethat，onlythatthevisitationthatdescendeduponJoeWellingwasamentalandnotaphysicalthing。

Hewasbesetbyideasandinthethroesofoneofhisideaswasuncontrollable。Wordsrolledandtumbledfromhismouth。Apeculiarsmilecameuponhislips。Theedgesofhisteeththatweretippedwithgoldglistenedinthelight。Pouncinguponaby-

standerhebegantotalk。Forthebystandertherewasnoescape。Theexcitedmanbreathedintohisface，peeredintohiseyes，poundeduponhischestwithashakingforefinger，demanded，compelledattention。

InthosedaystheStandardOilCompanydidnotdeliveroiltotheconsumerinbigwagonsandmotortrucksasitdoesnow，butdeliveredinsteadtoretailgrocers，hardwarestores，andthelike。JoewastheStandardOilagentinWinesburgandinseveraltownsupanddowntherailroadthatwentthroughWinesburg。Hecollectedbills，bookedorders，anddidotherthings。Hisfather，thelegislator，hadse-

curedthejobforhim。

InandoutofthestoresofWinesburgwentJoeWelling——silent，excessivelypolite，intentuponhisbusiness。Menwatchedhimwitheyesinwhichlurkedamusementtemperedbyalarm。Theywerewaitingforhimtobreakforth，preparingtoflee。

Althoughtheseizuresthatcameuponhimwereharmlessenough，theycouldnotbelaughedaway。

Theywereoverwhelming。Astrideanidea，Joewasovermastering。Hispersonalitybecamegigantic。Itoverrodethemantowhomhetalked，swepthimaway，sweptallaway，allwhostoodwithinsoundofhisvoice。

InSylvesterWest"sDrugStorestoodfourmenwhoweretalkingofhorseracing。WesleyMoyer"sstallion，TonyTip，wastoraceattheJunemeetingatTiffin，Ohio，andtherewasarumorthathewouldmeetthestiffestcompetitionofhiscareer。ItwassaidthatPopGeers，thegreatracingdriver，wouldhimselfbethere。AdoubtofthesuccessofTonyTiphungheavyintheairofWinesburg。

IntothedrugstorecameJoeWelling，brushingthescreendoorviolentlyaside。Withastrangeab-

sorbedlightinhiseyeshepounceduponEdThomas，hewhoknewPopGeersandwhoseopin-

ionofTonyTip"schanceswasworthconsidering。

"ThewaterisupinWineCreek，"criedJoeWel-

lingwiththeairofPheidippidesbringingnewsofthevictoryoftheGreeksinthestruggleatMara-

thon。HisfingerbeatatattoouponEdThomas"sbroadchest。"ByTrunionbridgeitiswithinelevenandahalfinchesoftheflooring，"hewenton，thewordscomingquicklyandwithalittlewhistlingnoisefrombetweenhisteeth。Anexpressionofhelp-

lessannoyancecreptoverthefacesofthefour。

"Ihavemyfactscorrect。Dependuponthat。I

wenttoSinnings"HardwareStoreandgotarule。

ThenIwentbackandmeasured。Icouldhardlybe-

lievemyowneyes。Ithasn"trainedyouseefortendays。AtfirstIdidn"tknowwhattothink。Thoughtsrushedthroughmyhead。Ithoughtofsubterraneanpassagesandsprings。Downunderthegroundwentmymind，delvingabout。Isatonthefloorofthebridgeandrubbedmyhead。Therewasn"tacloudinthesky，notone。Comeoutintothestreetandyou"llsee。Therewasn"tacloud。Thereisn"tacloudnow。Yes，therewasacloud。Idon"twanttokeepbackanyfacts。Therewasacloudinthewestdownnearthehorizon，acloudnobiggerthanaman"shand。

"NotthatIthinkthathasanythingtodowithit。

Thereitis，yousee。YouunderstandhowpuzzledI

was。

"Thenanideacametome。Ilaughed。You"lllaugh，too。OfcourseitrainedoverinMedinaCounty。That"sinteresting，eh？Ifwehadnotrains，nomails，notelegraph，wewouldknowthatitrainedoverinMedinaCounty。That"swhereWineCreekcomesfrom。Everyoneknowsthat。LittleoldWineCreekbroughtusthenews。That"sinteresting。

Ilaughed。IthoughtI"dtellyou——it"sinteresting，eh？"

JoeWellingturnedandwentoutatthedoor。Tak-

ingabookfromhispocket，hestoppedandranafingerdownoneofthepages。Againhewasab-

sorbedinhisdutiesasagentoftheStandardOilCompany。"Hern"sGrocerywillbegettinglowoncoaloil。I"llseethem，"hemuttered，hurryingalongthestreet，andbowingpolitelytotherightandleftatthepeoplewalkingpast。

WhenGeorgeWillardwenttoworkfortheWines-

burgEaglehewasbesiegedbyJoeWelling。Joeen-

viedtheboy。ItseemedtohimthathewasmeantbyNaturetobeareporteronanewspaper。"ItiswhatIshouldbedoing，thereisnodoubtofthat，"

hedeclared，stoppingGeorgeWillardontheside-

walkbeforeDaugherty"sFeedStore。Hiseyesbegantoglistenandhisforefingertotremble。"OfcourseImakemoremoneywiththeStandardOilCompanyandI"monlytellingyou，"headded。"I"vegotnoth-

ingagainstyoubutIshouldhaveyourplace。Icoulddotheworkatoddmoments。HereandthereI

wouldrunfindingoutthingsyou"llneversee。"

BecomingmoreexcitedJoeWellingcrowdedtheyoungreporteragainstthefrontofthefeedstore。

Heappearedtobelostinthought，rollinghiseyesaboutandrunningathinnervoushandthroughhishair。Asmilespreadoverhisfaceandhisgoldteethglittered。"Yougetoutyournotebook，"hecom-

manded。"Youcarryalittlepadofpaperinyourpocket，don"tyou？Iknewyoudid。Well，yousetthisdown。Ithoughtofittheotherday。Let"stakedecay。Nowwhatisdecay？It"sfire。Itburnsupwoodandotherthings。Youneverthoughtofthat？

Ofcoursenot。Thissidewalkhereandthisfeedstore，thetreesdownthestreetthere——they"reallonfire。They"reburningup。Decayyouseeisalwaysgoingon。Itdoesn"tstop。Waterandpaintcan"tstopit。Ifathingisiron，thenwhat？Itrusts，yousee。

That"sfire，too。Theworldisonfire。Startyourpiecesinthepaperthatway。Justsayinbigletters"TheWorldIsOnFire。"Thatwillmake"emlookup。

They"llsayyou"reasmartone。Idon"tcare。Idon"tenvyyou。Ijustsnatchedthatideaoutoftheair。I

wouldmakeanewspaperhum。Yougottoadmitthat。""

Turningquickly，JoeWellingwalkedrapidlyaway。

Whenhehadtakenseveralstepshestoppedandlookedback。"I"mgoingtosticktoyou，"hesaid。

"I"mgoingtomakeyouaregularhummer。Ishouldstartanewspapermyself，that"swhatIshoulddo。

I"dbeamarvel。Everybodyknowsthat。"

WhenGeorgeWillardhadbeenforayearontheWinesburgEagle，fourthingshappenedtoJoeWel-

ling。Hismotherdied，hecametoliveattheNewWillardHouse，hebecameinvolvedinaloveaffair，andheorganizedtheWinesburgBaseballClub。

Joeorganizedthebaseballclubbecausehewantedtobeacoachandinthatpositionhebegantowintherespectofhistownsmen。"Heisawonder，"theydeclaredafterJoe"steamhadwhippedtheteamfromMedinaCounty。"Hegetseverybodyworkingtogether。Youjustwatchhim。"

UponthebaseballfieldJoeWellingstoodbyfirstbase，hiswholebodyquiveringwithexcitement。Inspiteofthemselvesalltheplayerswatchedhimclosely。Theopposingpitcherbecameconfused。

"Now!Now!Now!Now!"shoutedtheexcitedman。"Watchme!Watchme!Watchmyfingers!

Watchmyhands!Watchmyfeet!Watchmyeyes!

Let"sworktogetherhere!Watchme!Inmeyouseeallthemovementsofthegame!Workwithme!

Workwithme!Watchme!Watchme!Watchme!"

WithrunnersoftheWinesburgteamonbases，JoeWellingbecameasoneinspired。Beforetheyknewwhathadcomeoverthem，thebaserunnerswerewatchingtheman，edgingoffthebases，advancing，retreating，heldasbyaninvisiblecord。TheplayersoftheopposingteamalsowatchedJoe。Theywerefascinated。Foramomenttheywatchedandthen，asthoughtobreakaspellthathungoverthem，theybeganhurlingtheballwildlyabout，andamidase-

riesoffierceanimal-likecriesfromthecoach，therunnersoftheWinesburgteamscamperedhome。

JoeWelling"sloveaffairsetthetownofWinesburgonedge。Whenitbeganeveryonewhisperedandshookhishead。Whenpeopletriedtolaugh，thelaughterwasforcedandunnatural。JoefellinlovewithSarahKing，alean，sad-lookingwomanwholivedwithherfatherandbrotherinabrickhousethatstoodoppositethegateleadingtotheWines-

burgCemetery。

ThetwoKings，Edwardthefather，andTomtheson，werenotpopularinWinesburg。Theywerecalledproudanddangerous。TheyhadcometoWinesburgfromsomeplaceintheSouthandranacidermillontheTrunionPike。TomKingwasre-

portedtohavekilledamanbeforehecametoWinesburg。Hewastwenty-sevenyearsoldandrodeabouttownonagreypony。Alsohehadalongyellowmustachethatdroppeddownoverhisteeth，andalwayscarriedaheavy，wicked-lookingwalkingstickinhishand。Oncehekilledadogwiththestick。ThedogbelongedtoWinPawsey，theshoemerchant，andstoodonthesidewalkwaggingitstail。TomKingkilleditwithoneblow。Hewasar-

restedandpaidafineoftendollars。

OldEdwardKingwassmallofstatureandwhenhepassedpeopleinthestreetlaughedaqueerun-

mirthfullaugh。Whenhelaughedhescratchedhisleftelbowwithhisrighthand。Thesleeveofhiscoatwasalmostwornthroughfromthehabit。Ashewalkedalongthestreet，lookingnervouslyaboutandlaughing，heseemedmoredangerousthanhissilent，fierce-lookingson。

WhenSarahKingbeganwalkingoutintheeve-

ningwithJoeWelling，peopleshooktheirheadsinalarm。Shewastallandpaleandhaddarkringsunderhereyes。Thecouplelookedridiculousto-

gether。UnderthetreestheywalkedandJoetalked。

Hispassionateeagerprotestationsoflove，heardcomingoutofthedarknessbythecemeterywall，orfromthedeepshadowsofthetreesonthehillthatranuptotheFairGroundsfromWaterworksPond，wererepeatedinthestores。MenstoodbythebarintheNewWillardHouselaughingandtalkingofJoe"scourtship。Afterthelaughtercamethesilence。

TheWinesburgbaseballteam，underhismanage-

ment，waswinninggameaftergame，andthetownhadbeguntorespecthim。Sensingatragedy，theywaited，laughingnervously。

LateonaSaturdayafternoonthemeetingbetweenJoeWellingandthetwoKings，theanticipationofwhichhadsetthetownonedge，tookplaceinJoeWelling"sroomintheNewWillardHouse。GeorgeWillardwasawitnesstothemeeting。Itcameaboutinthisway:

WhentheyoungreporterwenttohisroomaftertheeveningmealhesawTomKingandhisfathersittinginthehalfdarknessinJoe"sroom。Thesonhadtheheavywalkingstickinhishandandsatnearthedoor。OldEdwardKingwalkednervouslyabout，scratchinghisleftelbowwithhisrighthand。Thehallwayswereemptyandsilent。

GeorgeWillardwenttohisownroomandsatdownathisdesk。Hetriedtowritebuthishandtrembledsothathecouldnotholdthepen。Healsowalkednervouslyupanddown。LiketherestofthetownofWinesburghewasperplexedandknewnotwhattodo。

Itwasseven-thirtyandfastgrowingdarkwhenJoeWellingcamealongthestationplatformtowardtheNewWillardHouse。Inhisarmsheheldabun-

dleofweedsandgrasses。Inspiteoftheterrorthatmadehisbodyshake，GeorgeWillardwasamusedatthesightofthesmallspryfigureholdingthegrassesandhalfrunningalongtheplatform。

Shakingwithfrightandanxiety，theyoungre-

porterlurkedinthehallwayoutsidethedooroftheroominwhichJoeWellingtalkedtothetwoKings。

Therehadbeenanoath，thenervousgiggleofoldEdwardKing，andthensilence。NowthevoiceofJoeWelling，sharpandclear，brokeforth。GeorgeWillardbegantolaugh。Heunderstood。Ashehadsweptallmenbeforehim，sonowJoeWellingwascarryingthetwomenintheroomofftheirfeetwithatidalwaveofwords。Thelistenerinthehallwalkedupanddown，lostinamazement。

InsidetheroomJoeWellinghadpaidnoattentiontothegrumbledthreatofTomKing。Absorbedinanideaheclosedthedoorand，lightingalamp，spreadthehandfulofweedsandgrassesuponthefloor。"I"vegotsomethinghere，"heannouncedsol-

emnly。"IwasgoingtotellGeorgeWillardaboutit，lethimmakeapieceoutofitforthepaper。I"mgladyou"rehere。IwishSarahwereherealso。I"vebeengoingtocometoyourhouseandtellyouofsomeofmyideas。They"reinteresting。Sarahwouldn"tletme。Shesaidwe"dquarrel。That"sfoolish。"

Runningupanddownbeforethetwoperplexedmen，JoeWellingbegantoexplain。"Don"tyoumakeamistakenow，"hecried。"Thisissomethingbig。"

Hisvoicewasshrillwithexcitement。"Youjustfol-

lowme，you"llbeinterested。Iknowyouwill。Sup-

posethis——supposeallofthewheat，thecorn，theoats，thepeas，thepotatoes，wereallbysomemira-

clesweptaway。Nowhereweare，yousee，inthiscounty。Thereisahighfencebuiltallaroundus。

We"llsupposethat。Noonecangetoverthefenceandallthefruitsoftheeartharedestroyed，nothingleftbutthesewildthings，thesegrasses。Wouldwebedonefor？Iaskyouthat。Wouldwebedonefor？"

AgainTomKinggrowledandforamomenttherewassilenceintheroom。ThenagainJoeplungedintotheexpositionofhisidea。"Thingswouldgohardforatime。Iadmitthat。I"vegottoadmitthat。

Nogettingaroundit。We"dbehardputtoit。Morethanonefatstomachwouldcavein。Buttheycouldn"tdownus。Ishouldsaynot。"

TomKinglaughedgoodnaturedlyandtheshiv-

ery，nervouslaughofEdwardKingrangthroughthehouse。JoeWellinghurriedon。"We"dbegin，yousee，tobreedupnewvegetablesandfruits。Soonwe"dregainallwehadlost。Mind，Idon"tsaythenewthingswouldbethesameastheold。Theywouldn"t。Maybethey"dbebetter，maybenotsogood。That"sinteresting，eh？Youcanthinkaboutthat。Itstartsyourmindworking，nowdon"tit？"

IntheroomtherewassilenceandthenagainoldEdwardKinglaughednervously。"Say，IwishSarahwashere，"criedJoeWelling。"Let"sgouptoyourhouse。Iwanttotellherofthis。"

Therewasascrapingofchairsintheroom。ItwasthenthatGeorgeWillardretreatedtohisownroom。

LeaningoutatthewindowhesawJoeWellinggoingalongthestreetwiththetwoKings。TomKingwasforcedtotakeextraordinarylongstridestokeeppacewiththelittleman。Ashestrodealong，heleanedover，listening——absorbed，fascinated。JoeWellingagaintalkedexcitedly。"Takemilkweednow，"hecried。"Alotmightbedonewithmilk-

weed，eh？It"salmostunbelievable。Iwantyoutothinkaboutit。Iwantyoutwotothinkaboutit。

Therewouldbeanewvegetablekingdomyousee。

It"sinteresting，eh？It"sanidea。WaittillyouseeSarah，she"llgettheidea。She"llbeinterested。Sarahisalwaysinterestedinideas。Youcan"tbetoosmartforSarah，nowcanyou？Ofcourseyoucan"t。Youknowthat。"

ADVENTURE

ALICEHINDMAN，awomanoftwenty-sevenwhenGeorgeWillardwasamereboy，hadlivedinWines-

burgallherlife。SheclerkedinWinney"sDryGoodsStoreandlivedwithhermother，whohadmarriedasecondhusband。

Alice"sstep-fatherwasacarriagepainter，andgiventodrink。Hisstoryisanoddone。Itwillbeworthtellingsomeday。

Attwenty-sevenAlicewastallandsomewhatslight。Herheadwaslargeandovershadowedherbody。Hershoulderswerealittlestoopedandherhairandeyesbrown。Shewasveryquietbutbeneathaplacidexterioracontinualfermentwenton。

Whenshewasagirlofsixteenandbeforeshebegantoworkinthestore，Alicehadanaffairwithayoungman。Theyoungman，namedNedCurrie，wasolderthanAlice。He，likeGeorgeWillard，wasemployedontheWinesburgEagleandforalongtimehewenttoseeAlicealmosteveryevening。Togetherthetwowalkedunderthetreesthroughthestreetsofthetownandtalkedofwhattheywoulddowiththeirlives。AlicewasthenaveryprettygirlandNedCurrietookherintohisarmsandkissedher。HebecameexcitedandsaidthingshedidnotintendtosayandAlice，betrayedbyherdesiretohavesome-

thingbeautifulcomeintoherrathernarrowlife，alsogrewexcited。Shealsotalked。Theoutercrustofherlife，allofhernaturaldiffidenceandreserve，wastomawayandshegaveherselfovertotheemotionsoflove。When，lateinthefallofhersixteenthyear，NedCurriewentawaytoClevelandwherehehopedtogetaplaceonacitynewspaperandriseintheworld，shewantedtogowithhim。Withatremblingvoiceshetoldhimwhatwasinhermind。"Iwillworkandyoucanwork，"shesaid。"Idonotwanttoharnessyoutoaneedlessexpensethatwillpre-

ventyourmakingprogress。Don"tmarrymenow。

Wewillgetalongwithoutthatandwecanbeto-

gether。Eventhoughweliveinthesamehousenoonewillsayanything。Inthecitywewillbeun-

knownandpeoplewillpaynoattentiontous。"

NedCurriewaspuzzledbythedeterminationandabandonofhissweetheartandwasalsodeeplytouched。Hehadwantedthegirltobecomehismis-

tressbutchangedhismind。Hewantedtoprotectandcareforher。"Youdon"tknowwhatyou"retalk-

ingabout，"hesaidsharply；"youmaybesureI"llletyoudonosuchthing。AssoonasIgetagoodjobI"llcomeback。Forthepresentyou"llhavetostayhere。It"stheonlythingwecando。"

OntheeveningbeforeheleftWinesburgtotakeuphisnewlifeinthecity，NedCurriewenttocallonAlice。TheywalkedaboutthroughthestreetsforanhourandthengotarigfromWesleyMoyer"sliveryandwentforadriveinthecountry。Themooncameupandtheyfoundthemselvesunabletotalk。

Inhissadnesstheyoungmanforgottheresolutionshehadmaderegardinghisconductwiththegirl。

TheygotoutofthebuggyataplacewherealongmeadowrandowntothebankofWineCreekandthereinthedimlightbecamelovers。Whenatmid-

nighttheyreturnedtotowntheywerebothglad。Itdidnotseemtothemthatanythingthatcouldhap-

peninthefuturecouldblotoutthewonderandbeautyofthethingthathadhappened。"Nowwewillhavetosticktoeachother，whateverhappenswewillhavetodothat，"NedCurriesaidasheleftthegirlatherfather"sdoor。

Theyoungnewspapermandidnotsucceedinget-

tingaplaceonaClevelandpaperandwentwesttoChicago。ForatimehewaslonelyandwrotetoAlicealmosteveryday。Thenhewascaughtupbythelifeofthecity；hebegantomakefriendsandfoundnewinterestsinlife。InChicagoheboardedatahousewheretherewereseveralwomen。OneofthemattractedhisattentionandheforgotAliceinWinesburg。Attheendofayearhehadstoppedwritingletters，andonlyonceinalongtime，whenhewaslonelyorwhenhewentintooneofthecityparksandsawthemoonshiningonthegrassasithadshonethatnightonthemeadowbyWineCreek，didhethinkofheratall。

InWinesburgthegirlwhohadbeenlovedgrewtobeawoman。Whenshewastwenty-twoyearsoldherfather，whoownedaharnessrepairshop，diedsuddenly。Theharnessmakerwasanoldsoldier，andafterafewmonthshiswifereceivedawidow"spension。Sheusedthefirstmoneyshegottobuyaloomandbecameaweaverofcarpets，andAlicegotaplaceinWinney"sstore。ForanumberofyearsnothingcouldhaveinducedhertobelievethatNedCurriewouldnotintheendreturntoher。

Shewasgladtobeemployedbecausethedailyroundoftoilinthestoremadethetimeofwaitingseemlesslonganduninteresting。Shebegantosavemoney，thinkingthatwhenshehadsavedtwoorthreehundreddollarsshewouldfollowherlovertothecityandtryifherpresencewouldnotwinbackhisaffections。

AlicedidnotblameNedCurrieforwhathadhap-

penedinthemoonlightinthefield，butfeltthatshecouldnevermarryanotherman。ToherthethoughtofgivingtoanotherwhatshestillfeltcouldbelongonlytoNedseemedmonstrous。Whenotheryoungmentriedtoattractherattentionshewouldhavenothingtodowiththem。"Iamhiswifeandshallremainhiswifewhetherhecomesbackornot，"shewhisperedtoherself，andforallofherwillingnesstosupportherselfcouldnothaveunderstoodthegrowingmodernideaofawoman"sowningherselfandgivingandtakingforherownendsinlife。

Aliceworkedinthedrygoodsstorefromeightinthemorninguntilsixatnightandonthreeeveningsaweekwentbacktothestoretostayfromsevenuntilnine。Astimepassedandshebecamemoreandmorelonelyshebegantopracticethedevicescommontolonelypeople。Whenatnightshewentupstairsintoherownroomshekneltonthefloortoprayandinherprayerswhisperedthingsshewantedtosaytoherlover。Shebecameattachedtoinanimateobjects，andbecauseitwasherown，couldnotbaretohaveanyonetouchthefurnitureofherroom。Thetrickofsavingmoney，begunforapurpose，wascarriedonaftertheschemeofgoingtothecitytofindNedCurriehadbeengivenup。Itbecameafixedhabit，andwhensheneedednewclothesshedidnotgetthem。Sometimesonrainyafternoonsinthestoreshegotoutherbankbookand，lettingitlieopenbeforeher，spenthoursdreamingimpossibledreamsofsavingmoneyenoughsothattheinterestwouldsupportbothherselfandherfuturehusband。

"Nedalwayslikedtotravelabout，"shethought。

"I"llgivehimthechance。SomedaywhenwearemarriedandIcansavebothhismoneyandmyown，wewillberich。Thenwecantraveltogetherallovertheworld。"

InthedrygoodsstoreweeksranintomonthsandmonthsintoyearsasAlicewaitedanddreamedofherlover"sreturn。Heremployer，agreyoldmanwithfalseteethandathingreymustachethatdroopeddownoverhismouth，wasnotgiventoconversation，andsometimes，onrainydaysandinthewinterwhenastormragedinMainStreet，longhourspassedwhennocustomerscamein。Alicear-

rangedandrearrangedthestock。Shestoodnearthefrontwindowwhereshecouldlookdownthede-

sertedstreetandthoughtoftheeveningswhenshehadwalkedwithNedCurrieandofwhathehadsaid。"Wewillhavetosticktoeachothernow。"Thewordsechoedandre-echoedthroughthemindofthematuringwoman。Tearscameintohereyes。

Sometimeswhenheremployerhadgoneoutandshewasaloneinthestoresheputherheadonthecounterandwept。"Oh，Ned，Iamwaiting，"shewhisperedoverandover，andallthetimethecreep-

ingfearthathewouldnevercomebackgrewstrongerwithinher。

Inthespringwhentherainshavepassedandbe-

forethelonghotdaysofsummerhavecome，thecountryaboutWinesburgisdelightful。Thetownliesinthemidstofopenfields，butbeyondthefieldsarepleasantpatchesofwoodlands。Inthewoodedplacesaremanylittlecloisterednooks，quietplaceswhereloversgotositonSundayafternoons。Throughthetreestheylookoutacrossthefieldsandseefarmersatworkaboutthebarnsorpeopledrivingupanddownontheroads。Inthetownbellsringandoccasionallyatrainpasses，lookinglikeatoythinginthedistance。

ForseveralyearsafterNedCurriewentawayAlicedidnotgointothewoodwiththeotheryoungpeopleonSunday，butonedayafterhehadbeengonefortwoorthreeyearsandwhenherlonelinessseemedunbearable，sheputonherbestdressandsetout。Findingalittleshelteredplacefromwhichshecouldseethetownandalongstretchofthefields，shesatdown。Fearofageandineffectualitytookpossessionofher。Shecouldnotsitstill，andarose。Asshestoodlookingoutoverthelandsome-

thing，perhapsthethoughtofneverceasinglifeasitexpressesitselfintheflowoftheseasons，fixedhermindonthepassingyears。Withashiverofdread，sherealizedthatforherthebeautyandfresh-

nessofyouthhadpassed。Forthefirsttimeshefeltthatshehadbeencheated。ShedidnotblameNedCurrieanddidnotknowwhattoblame。Sadnesssweptoverher。Droppingtoherknees，shetriedtopray，butinsteadofprayerswordsofprotestcametoherlips。"Itisnotgoingtocometome。Iwillneverfindhappiness。WhydoItellmyselflies？"

shecried，andanoddsenseofreliefcamewiththis，herfirstboldattempttofacethefearthathadbe-

comeapartofhereverydaylife。

IntheyearwhenAliceHindmanbecametwenty-

fivetwothingshappenedtodisturbthedullun-

eventfulnessofherdays。HermothermarriedBushMilton，thecarriagepainterofWinesburg，andsheherselfbecameamemberoftheWinesburgMethod-

istChurch。Alicejoinedthechurchbecauseshehadbecomefrightenedbythelonelinessofherpositioninlife。Hermother"ssecondmarriagehadempha-

sizedherisolation。"Iambecomingoldandqueer。

IfNedcomeshewillnotwantme。Inthecitywhereheislivingmenareperpetuallyyoung。Thereissomuchgoingonthattheydonothavetimetogrowold，"shetoldherselfwithagrimlittlesmile，andwentresolutelyaboutthebusinessofbecomingac-

quaintedwithpeople。EveryThursdayeveningwhenthestorehadclosedshewenttoaprayermeetinginthebasementofthechurchandonSundayeveningattendedameetingofanorganizationcalledTheEpworthLeague。

WhenWillHurley，amiddle-agedmanwhoclerkedinadrugstoreandwhoalsobelongedtothechurch，offeredtowalkhomewithhershedidnotprotest。

"OfcourseIwillnotlethimmakeapracticeofbeingwithme，butifhecomestoseemeonceinalongtimetherecanbenoharminthat，"shetoldherself，stilldeterminedinherloyaltytoNedCurrie。

Withoutrealizingwhatwashappening，Alicewastryingfeeblyatfirst，butwithgrowingdetermina-

tion，togetanewholduponlife。Besidethedrugclerkshewalkedinsilence，butsometimesinthedarknessastheywentstolidlyalongsheputoutherhandandtouchedsoftlythefoldsofhiscoat。Whenheleftheratthegatebeforehermother"shouseshedidnotgoindoors，butstoodforamomentbythedoor。Shewantedtocalltothedrugclerk，toaskhimtositwithherinthedarknessontheporchbeforethehouse，butwasafraidhewouldnotun-

derstand。"ItisnothimthatIwant，"shetoldher-

self；"Iwanttoavoidbeingsomuchalone。IfIamnotcarefulIwillgrowunaccustomedtobeingwithpeople。"

Duringtheearlyfallofhertwenty-seventhyearapassionaterestlessnesstookpossessionofAlice。Shecouldnotbeartobeinthecompanyofthedrugclerk，andwhen，intheevening，hecametowalkwithhershesenthimaway。Hermindbecamein-

tenselyactiveandwhen，wearyfromthelonghoursofstandingbehindthecounterinthestore，shewenthomeandcrawledintobed，shecouldnotsleep。Withstaringeyesshelookedintothedark-

ness。Herimagination，likeachildawakenedfromlongsleep，playedabouttheroom。Deepwithinhertherewassomethingthatwouldnotbecheatedbyphantasiesandthatdemandedsomedefiniteanswerfromlife。

Alicetookapillowintoherarmsandheldittightlyagainstherbreasts。Gettingoutofbed，shearrangedablanketsothatinthedarknessitlookedlikeaformlyingbetweenthesheetsand，kneelingbesidethebed，shecaressedit，whisperingwordsoverandover，likearefrain。"Whydoesn"tsome-

thinghappen？WhyamIleftherealone？"shemut-

tered。AlthoughshesometimesthoughtofNedCurrie，shenolongerdependedonhim。Herdesirehadgrownvague。ShedidnotwantNedCurrieoranyotherman。Shewantedtobeloved，tohavesomethinganswerthecallthatwasgrowinglouderandlouderwithinher。

AndthenonenightwhenitrainedAlicehadanadventure。Itfrightenedandconfusedher。Shehadcomehomefromthestoreatnineandfoundthehouseempty。BushMiltonhadgoneofftotownandhermothertothehouseofaneighbor。Alicewentupstairstoherroomandundressedinthedarkness。

Foramomentshestoodbythewindowhearingtherainbeatagainsttheglassandthenastrangedesiretookpossessionofher。Withoutstoppingtothinkofwhatsheintendedtodo，sherandownstairsthroughthedarkhouseandoutintotherain。Asshestoodonthelittlegrassplotbeforethehouseandfeltthecoldrainonherbodyamaddesiretorunnakedthroughthestreetstookpossessionofher。

Shethoughtthattherainwouldhavesomecre-

ativeandwonderfuleffectonherbody。Notforyearshadshefeltsofullofyouthandcourage。Shewantedtoleapandrun，tocryout，tofindsomeotherlonelyhumanandembracehim。Onthebricksidewalkbeforethehouseamanstumbledhome-

ward。Alicestartedtorun。Awild，desperatemoodtookpossessionofher。"WhatdoIcarewhoitis。

Heisalone，andIwillgotohim，"shethought；andthenwithoutstoppingtoconsiderthepossibleresultofhermadness，calledsoftly。"Wait!"shecried。

"Don"tgoaway。Whoeveryouare，youmustwait。"

Themanonthesidewalkstoppedandstoodlis-

tening。Hewasanoldmanandsomewhatdeaf。

Puttinghishandtohismouth，heshouted。"What？

Whatsay？"hecalled。

Alicedroppedtothegroundandlaytrembling。

Shewassofrightenedatthethoughtofwhatshehaddonethatwhenthemanhadgoneonhiswayshedidnotdaregettoherfeet，butcrawledonhandsandkneesthroughthegrasstothehouse。

Whenshegottoherownroomsheboltedthedooranddrewherdressingtableacrossthedoorway。

Herbodyshookaswithachillandherhandstrem-

bledsothatshehaddifficultygettingintohernight-

dress。Whenshegotintobedsheburiedherfaceinthepillowandweptbrokenheartedly。"Whatisthematterwithme？IwilldosomethingdreadfulifI

amnotcareful，"shethought，andturningherfacetothewall，begantryingtoforceherselftofacebravelythefactthatmanypeoplemustliveanddiealone，eveninWinesburg。

RESPECTABILITY

IFYOUHAVElivedincitiesandhavewalkedintheparkonasummerafternoon，youhaveperhapsseen，blinkinginacornerofhisironcage，ahuge，grotesquekindofmonkey，acreaturewithugly，sag-

ging，hairlessskinbelowhiseyesandabrightpur-

pleunderbody。Thismonkeyisatruemonster。Inthecompletenessofhisuglinessheachievedakindofpervertedbeauty。Childrenstoppingbeforethecagearefascinated，menturnawaywithanairofdisgust，andwomenlingerforamoment，tryingper-

hapstorememberwhichoneoftheirmaleacquain-

tancesthethinginsomefaintwayresembles。