第6章

Oneeveningwhenhewasrecoveringfromalongdebauchthestrangercamereelingalongthemainstreetofthetown。TomHardsatinachairbeforetheNewWillardHousewithhisdaughter，thenachildoffive，onhisknees。BesidehimontheboardsidewalksatyoungGeorgeWillard。Thestrangerdroppedintoachairbesidethem。Hisbodyshookandwhenhetriedtotalkhisvoicetrembled。

Itwaslateeveninganddarknesslayoverthetownandovertherailroadthatranalongthefootofalittleinclinebeforethehotel。Somewhereinthedistance，offtothewest，therewasaprolongedblastfromthewhistleofapassengerengine。Adogthathadbeensleepingintheroadwayaroseandbarked。

Thestrangerbegantobabbleandmadeaprophecyconcerningthechildthatlayinthearmsoftheagnostic。

"Icameheretoquitdrinking，"hesaid，andtearsbegantorundownhischeeks。HedidnotlookatTomHard，butleanedforwardandstaredintothedarknessasthoughseeingavision。"Iranawaytothecountrytobecured，butIamnotcured。Thereisareason。"Heturnedtolookatthechildwhosatupverystraightonherfather"skneeandreturnedthelook。

ThestrangertouchedTomHardonthearm。

"DrinkisnottheonlythingtowhichIamad-

dicted，"hesaid。"Thereissomethingelse。Iamaloverandhavenotfoundmythingtolove。ThatisabigpointifyouknowenoughtorealizewhatI

mean。Itmakesmydestructioninevitable，yousee。

Therearefewwhounderstandthat。"

Thestrangerbecamesilentandseemedovercomewithsadness，butanotherblastfromthewhistleofthepassengerenginearousedhim。"Ihavenotlostfaith。Iproclaimthat。IhaveonlybeenbroughttotheplacewhereIknowmyfaithwillnotbereal-

ized，"hedeclaredhoarsely。Helookedhardatthechildandbegantoaddressher，payingnomoreat-

tentiontothefather。"Thereisawomancoming，"

hesaid，andhisvoicewasnowsharpandearnest。

"Ihavemissedher，yousee。Shedidnotcomeinmytime。Youmaybethewoman。Itwouldbelikefatetoletmestandinherpresenceonce，onsuchaneveningasthis，whenIhavedestroyedmyselfwithdrinkandsheisasyetonlyachild。"

Theshouldersofthestrangershookviolently，andwhenhetriedtorollacigarettethepaperfellfromhistremblingfingers。Hegrewangryandscolded。

"Theythinkit"seasytobeawoman，tobeloved，butIknowbetter，"hedeclared。Againheturnedtothechild。"Iunderstand，"hecried。"PerhapsofallmenIaloneunderstand。"

Hisglanceagainwanderedawaytothedarkenedstreet。"Iknowabouther，althoughshehasnevercrossedmypath，"hesaidsoftly。"Iknowaboutherstrugglesandherdefeats。Itisbecauseofherdefeatsthatsheistomethelovelyone。Outofherdefeatshasbeenbornanewqualityinwoman。Ihaveanameforit。IcallitTandy。ImadeupthenamewhenIwasatruedreamerandbeforemybodybecamevile。Itisthequalityofbeingstrongtobeloved。Itissomethingmenneedfromwomenandthattheydonotget。"

ThestrangeraroseandstoodbeforeTomHard。

Hisbodyrockedbackandforthandheseemedabouttofall，butinsteadhedroppedtohiskneesonthesidewalkandraisedthehandsofthelittlegirltohisdrunkenlips。Hekissedthemecstatically。

"BeTandy，littleone，"hepleaded。"Daretobestrongandcourageous。Thatistheroad。Ventureanything。Bebraveenoughtodaretobeloved。Besomethingmorethanmanorwoman。BeTandy。"

Thestrangeraroseandstaggeredoffdownthestreet。AdayortwolaterhegotaboardatrainandreturnedtohishomeinCleveland。Onthesummerevening，afterthetalkbeforethehotel，TomHardtookthegirlchildtothehouseofarelativewhereshehadbeeninvitedtospendthenight。Ashewentalonginthedarknessunderthetreesheforgotthebabblingvoiceofthestrangerandhismindreturnedtothemakingofargumentsbywhichhemightde-

stroymen"sfaithinGod。Hespokehisdaughter"snameandshebegantoweep。

"Idon"twanttobecalledthat，"shedeclared。"I

wanttobecalledTandy——TandyHard。"ThechildweptsobitterlythatTomHardwastouchedandtriedtocomforther。Hestoppedbeneathatreeand，takingherintohisarms，begantocaressher。"Begood，now，"hesaidsharply；butshewouldnotbequieted。Withchildishabandonshegaveherselfovertogrief，hervoicebreakingtheeveningstillnessofthestreet。"IwanttobeTandy。IwanttobeTandy。IwanttobeTandyHard，"shecried，shak-

ingherheadandsobbingasthoughheryoungstrengthwerenotenoughtobearthevisionthewordsofthedrunkardhadbroughttoher。

THESTRENGTHOFGOD

THEREVERENDCurtisHartmanwaspastorofthePresbyterianChurchofWinesburg，andhadbeeninthatpositiontenyears。Hewasfortyyearsold，andbyhisnatureverysilentandreticent。Topreach，standinginthepulpitbeforethepeople，wasalwaysahardshipforhimandfromWednesdaymorninguntilSaturdayeveninghethoughtofnothingbutthetwosermonsthatmustbepreachedonSunday。

EarlyonSundaymorninghewentintoalittleroomcalledastudyinthebelltowerofthechurchandprayed。Inhisprayerstherewasonenotethatal-

wayspredominated。"GivemestrengthandcourageforThywork，OLord!"hepleaded，kneelingonthebarefloorandbowinghisheadinthepresenceofthetaskthatlaybeforehim。

TheReverendHartmanwasatallmanwithabrownbeard。Hiswife，astout，nervouswoman，wasthedaughterofamanufacturerofunderwearatCleveland，Ohio。Theministerhimselfwasratherafavoriteinthetown。TheeldersofthechurchlikedhimbecausehewasquietandunpretentiousandMrs。White，thebanker"swife，thoughthimschol-

arlyandrefined。

ThePresbyterianChurchhelditselfsomewhatalooffromtheotherchurchesofWinesburg。Itwaslargerandmoreimposinganditsministerwasbetterpaid。Heevenhadacarriageofhisownandonsummereveningssometimesdroveabouttownwithhiswife。ThroughMainStreetandupanddownBuckeyeStreethewent，bowinggravelytothepeo-

ple，whilehiswife，afirewithsecretpride，lookedathimoutofthecornersofhereyesandworriedlestthehorsebecomefrightenedandrunaway。

ForagoodmanyyearsafterhecametoWines-

burgthingswentwellwithCurtisHartman。Hewasnotonetoarousekeenenthusiasmamongthewor-

shippersinhischurchbutontheotherhandhemadenoenemies。Inrealityhewasmuchinearnestandsometimessufferedprolongedperiodsofre-

morsebecausehecouldnotgocryingthewordofGodinthehighwaysandbywaysofthetown。HewonderediftheflameofthespiritreallyburnedinhimanddreamedofadaywhenastrongsweetnewcurrentofpowerwouldcomelikeagreatwindintohisvoiceandhissoulandthepeoplewouldtremblebeforethespiritofGodmademanifestinhim。"I

amapoorstickandthatwillneverreallyhappentome，"hemuseddejectedly，andthenapatientsmilelituphisfeatures。"Ohwell，IsupposeI"mdoingwellenough，"headdedphilosophically。

Theroominthebelltowerofthechurch，whereonSundaymorningstheministerprayedforanin-

creaseinhimofthepowerofGod，hadbutonewindow。Itwaslongandnarrowandswungout-

wardonahingelikeadoor。Onthewindow，madeoflittleleadedpanes，wasadesignshowingtheChristlayinghishandupontheheadofachild。

OneSundaymorninginthesummerashesatbyhisdeskintheroomwithalargeBibleopenedbe-

forehim，andthesheetsofhissermonscatteredabout，theministerwasshockedtosee，intheupperroomofthehousenextdoor，awomanlyinginherbedandsmokingacigarettewhileshereadabook。

CurtisHartmanwentontiptoetothewindowandcloseditsoftly。Hewashorrorstrickenatthethoughtofawomansmokingandtrembledalsotothinkthathiseyes，justraisedfromthepagesofthebookofGod，hadlookeduponthebareshouldersandwhitethroatofawoman。Withhisbraininawhirlhewentdownintothepulpitandpreachedalongsermonwithoutoncethinkingofhisgesturesorhisvoice。Thesermonattractedunusualattentionbecauseofitspowerandclearness。"Iwonderifsheislistening，ifmyvoiceiscarryingamessageintohersoul，"hethoughtandbegantohopethatonfutureSundaymorningshemightbeabletosaywordsthatwouldtouchandawakenthewomanapparentlyfargoneinsecretsin。

ThehousenextdoortothePresbyterianChurch，throughthewindowsofwhichtheministerhadseenthesightthathadsoupsethim，wasoccupiedbytwowomen。AuntElizabethSwift，agreycompetent-

lookingwidowwithmoneyintheWinesburgNa-

tionalBank，livedtherewithherdaughterKateSwift，aschoolteacher。Theschoolteacherwasthirtyyearsoldandhadaneattrim-lookingfigure。

Shehadfewfriendsandboreareputationofhavingasharptongue。Whenhebegantothinkabouther，CurtisHartmanrememberedthatshehadbeentoEuropeandhadlivedfortwoyearsinNewYorkCity。"Perhapsafterallhersmokingmeansnoth-

ing，"hethought。Hebegantorememberthatwhenhewasastudentincollegeandoccasionallyreadnovels，goodalthoughsomewhatworldlywomen，hadsmokedthroughthepagesofabookthathadoncefallenintohishands。Witharushofnewdeter-

minationheworkedonhissermonsallthroughtheweekandforgot，inhiszealtoreachtheearsandthesoulofthisnewlistener，bothhisembarrassmentinthepulpitandthenecessityofprayerinthestudyonSundaymornings。

ReverendHartman"sexperiencewithwomenhadbeensomewhatlimited。HewasthesonofawagonmakerfromMuncie，Indiana，andhadworkedhiswaythroughcollege。Thedaughteroftheunder-

wearmanufacturerhadboardedinahousewherehelivedduringhisschooldaysandhehadmarriedherafteraformalandprolongedcourtship，carriedonforthemostpartbythegirlherself。Onhismar-

riagedaytheunderwearmanufacturerhadgivenhisdaughterfivethousanddollarsandhepromisedtoleaveheratleasttwicethatamountinhiswill。Theministerhadthoughthimselffortunateinmarriageandhadneverpermittedhimselftothinkofotherwomen。Hedidnotwanttothinkofotherwomen。

WhathewantedwastodotheworkofGodquietlyandearnestly。

Inthesouloftheministerastruggleawoke。FromwantingtoreachtheearsofKateSwift，andthroughhissermonstodelveintohersoul，hebegantowantalsotolookagainatthefigurelyingwhiteandquietinthebed。OnaSundaymorningwhenhecouldnotsleepbecauseofhisthoughtshearoseandwenttowalkinthestreets。WhenhehadgonealongMainStreetalmosttotheoldRichmondplacehestoppedandpickingupastonerushedofftotheroominthebelltower。WiththestonehebrokeoutacornerofthewindowandthenlockedthedoorandsatdownatthedeskbeforetheopenBibletowait。WhentheshadeofthewindowtoKateSwift"sroomwasraisedhecouldsee，throughthehole，directlyintoherbed，butshewasnotthere。ShealsohadarisenandhadgoneforawalkandthehandthatraisedtheshadewasthehandofAuntElizabethSwift。

Theministeralmostweptwithjoyatthisdeliver-

ancefromthecarnaldesireto"peep"andwentbacktohisownhousepraisingGod。Inanillmomentheforgot，however，tostoptheholeinthewindow。

ThepieceofglassbrokenoutatthecornerofthewindowjustnippedoffthebareheeloftheboystandingmotionlessandlookingwithrapteyesintothefaceoftheChrist。

CurtisHartmanforgothissermononthatSundaymorning。Hetalkedtohiscongregationandinhistalksaidthatitwasamistakeforpeopletothinkoftheirministerasamansetasideandintendedbynaturetoleadablamelesslife。"OutofmyownexperienceIknowthatwe，whoaretheministersofGod"sword，arebesetbythesametemptationsthatassailyou，"hedeclared。"Ihavebeentemptedandhavesurrenderedtotemptation。ItisonlythehandofGod，placedbeneathmyhead，thathasraisedmeup。Ashehasraisedmesoalsowillheraiseyou。

Donotdespair。Inyourhourofsinraiseyoureyestotheskiesandyouwillbeagainandagainsaved。"

Resolutelytheministerputthethoughtsofthewomaninthebedoutofhismindandbegantobesomethinglikealoverinthepresenceofhiswife。

OneeveningwhentheydroveouttogetherheturnedthehorseoutofBuckeyeStreetandinthedarknessonGospelHill，aboveWaterworksPond，puthisarmaboutSarahHartman"swaist。Whenhehadeatenbreakfastinthemorningandwasreadytoretiretohisstudyatthebackofhishousehewentaroundthetableandkissedhiswifeonthecheek。WhenthoughtsofKateSwiftcameintohishead，hesmiledandraisedhiseyestotheskies。

"Intercedeforme，Master，"hemuttered，"keepmeinthenarrowpathintentonThywork。"

Andnowbegantherealstruggleinthesoulofthebrown-beardedminister。Bychancehediscov-

eredthatKateSwiftwasinthehabitoflyinginherbedintheeveningsandreadingabook。Alampstoodonatablebythesideofthebedandthelightstreameddownuponherwhiteshouldersandbarethroat。Ontheeveningwhenhemadethediscoverytheministersatatthedeskinthedustyroomfromnineuntilafterelevenandwhenherlightwasputoutstumbledoutofthechurchtospendtwomorehourswalkingandprayinginthestreets。HedidnotwanttokisstheshouldersandthethroatofKateSwiftandhadnotallowedhismindtodwellonsuchthoughts。Hedidnotknowwhathewanted。

"IamGod"schildandhemustsavemefrommy-

self，"hecried，inthedarknessunderthetreesashewanderedinthestreets。Byatreehestoodandlookedattheskythatwascoveredwithhurryingclouds。HebegantotalktoGodintimatelyandclosely。"Please，Father，donotforgetme。Givemepowertogotomorrowandrepairtheholeinthewindow。Liftmyeyesagaintotheskies。Staywithme，Thyservant，inhishourofneed。"

Upanddownthroughthesilentstreetswalkedtheministerandfordaysandweekshissoulwastroubled。Hecouldnotunderstandthetemptationthathadcometohimnorcouldhefathomtherea-

sonforitscoming。InawayhebegantoblameGod，sayingtohimselfthathehadtriedtokeephisfeetinthetruepathandhadnotrunaboutseekingsin。

"ThroughmydaysasayoungmanandallthroughmylifehereIhavegonequietlyaboutmywork，"

hedeclared。"WhynowshouldIbetempted？WhathaveIdonethatthisburdenshouldbelaidonme？"

ThreetimesduringtheearlyfallandwinterofthatyearCurtisHartmancreptoutofhishousetotheroominthebelltowertositinthedarknesslookingatthefigureofKateSwiftlyinginherbedandlaterwenttowalkandprayinthestreets。Hecouldnotunderstandhimself。Forweekshewouldgoalongscarcelythinkingoftheschoolteacherandtellinghimselfthathehadconqueredthecarnalde-

siretolookatherbody。Andthensomethingwouldhappen。Ashesatinthestudyofhisownhouse，hardatworkonasermon，hewouldbecomener-

vousandbegintowalkupanddowntheroom。"I

willgooutintothestreets，"hetoldhimselfandevenashelethimselfinatthechurchdoorheper-

sistentlydeniedtohimselfthecauseofhisbeingthere。"IwillnotrepairtheholeinthewindowandIwilltrainmyselftocomehereatnightandsitinthepresenceofthiswomanwithoutraisingmyeyes。

Iwillnotbedefeatedinthisthing。TheLordhasdevisedthistemptationasatestofmysoulandI

willgropemywayoutofdarknessintothelightofrighteousness。"

OnenightinJanuarywhenitwasbittercoldandsnowlaydeeponthestreetsofWinesburgCurtisHartmanpaidhislastvisittotheroominthebelltowerofthechurch。Itwaspastnineo"clockwhenhelefthisownhouseandhesetoutsohurriedlythatheforgottoputonhisovershoes。InMainStreetnoonewasabroadbutHopHigginsthenightwatchmanandinthewholetownnoonewasawakebutthewatchmanandyoungGeorgeWillard，whosatintheofficeoftheWinesburgEagletryingtowriteastory。Alongthestreettothechurchwenttheminister，plowingthroughthedriftsandthinkingthatthistimehewouldutterlygivewaytosin。"I

wanttolookatthewomanandtothinkofkissinghershouldersandIamgoingtoletmyselfthinkwhatIchoose，"hedeclaredbitterlyandtearscameintohiseyes。Hebegantothinkthathewouldgetoutoftheministryandtrysomeotherwayoflife。

"Ishallgotosomecityandgetintobusiness，"hedeclared。"IfmynatureissuchthatIcannotresistsin，Ishallgivemyselfovertosin。AtleastIshallnotbeahypocrite，preachingthewordofGodwithmymindthinkingoftheshouldersandneckofawomanwhodoesnotbelongtome。"

ItwascoldintheroomofthebelltowerofthechurchonthatJanuarynightandalmostassoonashecameintotheroomCurtisHartmanknewthatifhestayedhewouldbeill。Hisfeetwerewetfromtrampinginthesnowandtherewasnofire。IntheroominthehousenextdoorKateSwifthadnotyetappeared。Withgrimdeterminationthemansatdowntowait。SittinginthechairandgrippingtheedgeofthedeskonwhichlaytheBiblehestaredintothedarknessthinkingtheblackestthoughtsofhislife。Hethoughtofhiswifeandforthemomentalmosthatedher。"Shehasalwaysbeenashamedofpassionandhascheatedme，"hethought。"Manhasarighttoexpectlivingpassionandbeautyinawoman。Hehasnorighttoforgetthatheisanani-

malandinmethereissomethingthatisGreek。I

willthrowoffthewomanofmybosomandseekotherwomen。Iwillbesiegethisschoolteacher。I

willflyinthefaceofallmenandifIamacreatureofcarnallustsIwilllivethenformylusts。"

Thedistractedmantrembledfromheadtofoot，partlyfromcold，partlyfromthestruggleinwhichhewasengaged。Hourspassedandafeverassailedhisbody。Histhroatbegantohurtandhisteethchattered。Hisfeetonthestudyfloorfeltliketwocakesofice。Stillhewouldnotgiveup。"IwillseethiswomanandwillthinkthethoughtsIhaveneverdaredtothink，"hetoldhimself，grippingtheedgeofthedeskandwaiting。

CurtisHartmancameneardyingfromtheeffectsofthatnightofwaitinginthechurch，andalsohefoundinthethingthathappenedwhathetooktobethewayoflifeforhim。Onothereveningswhenhehadwaitedhehadnotbeenabletosee，throughthelittleholeintheglass，anypartoftheschoolteacher"sroomexceptthatoccupiedbyherbed。Inthedarknesshehadwaiteduntilthewomansud-

denlyappearedsittinginthebedinherwhitenight-

robe。Whenthelightwasturnedupsheproppedherselfupamongthe"pillowsandreadabook。

Sometimesshesmokedoneofthecigarettes。Onlyherbareshouldersandthroatwerevisible。

OntheJanuarynight，afterhehadcomeneardyingwithcoldandafterhismindhadtwoorthreetimesactuallyslippedawayintoanoddlandoffan-

tasysothathehadbyanexerciseofwillpowertoforcehimselfbackintoconsciousness，KateSwiftappeared。Intheroomnextdooralampwaslightedandthewaitingmanstaredintoanemptybed。Thenuponthebedbeforehiseyesanakedwomanthrewherself。Lyingfacedownwardsheweptandbeatwithherfistsuponthepillow。Withafinaloutburstofweepingshehalfarose，andinthepresenceofthemanwhohadwaitedtolookandnottothinkthoughtsthewomanofsinbegantopray。Inthelamplightherfigure，slimandstrong，lookedlikethefigureoftheboyinthepresenceoftheChristontheleadedwindow。

CurtisHartmanneverrememberedhowhegotoutofthechurch。Withacryhearose，draggingtheheavydeskalongthefloor。TheBiblefell，makingagreatclatterinthesilence。Whenthelightinthehousenextdoorwentouthestumbleddownthestairwayandintothestreet。AlongthestreethewentandraninatthedooroftheWinesburgEagle。

ToGeorgeWillard，whowastrampingupanddownintheofficeundergoingastruggleofhisown，hebegantotalkhalfincoherently。"ThewaysofGodarebeyondhumanunderstanding，"hecried，run-

ninginquicklyandclosingthedoor。Hebegantoadvanceupontheyoungman，hiseyesglowingandhisvoiceringingwithfervor。"Ihavefoundthelight，"hecried。"Aftertenyearsinthistown，Godhasmanifestedhimselftomeinthebodyofawoman。"Hisvoicedroppedandhebegantowhis-

per。"Ididnotunderstand，"hesaid。"WhatItooktobeatrialofmysoulwasonlyapreparationforanewandmorebeautifulfervorofthespirit。GodhasappearedtomeinthepersonofKateSwift，theschoolteacher，kneelingnakedonabed。DoyouknowKateSwift？Althoughshemaynotbeawareofit，sheisaninstrumentofGod，bearingthemes-

sageoftruth。"

ReverendCurtisHartmanturnedandranoutoftheoffice。Atthedoorhestopped，andafterlookingupanddownthedesertedstreet，turnedagaintoGeorgeWillard。"Iamdelivered。Havenofear。"Heheldupableedingfistfortheyoungmantosee。"I

smashedtheglassofthewindow，"hecried。"Nowitwillhavetobewhollyreplaced。ThestrengthofGodwasinmeandIbrokeitwithmyfist。"

THETEACHER

SNOWLAYDEEPinthestreetsofWinesburg。Ithadbeguntosnowaboutteno"clockinthemorningandawindsprangupandblewthesnowincloudsalongMainStreet。Thefrozenmudroadsthatledintotownwerefairlysmoothandinplacesicecov-

eredthemud。"Therewillbegoodsleighing，"saidWillHenderson，standingbythebarinEdGriffith"ssaloon。OutofthesaloonhewentandmetSylvesterWestthedruggiststumblingalonginthekindofheavyovershoescalledarctics。"SnowwillbringthepeopleintotownonSaturday，"saidthedruggist。

Thetwomenstoppedanddiscussedtheiraffairs。

WillHenderson，whohadonalightovercoatandnoovershoes，kickedtheheelofhisleftfootwiththetoeoftheright。"Snowwillbegoodforthewheat，"observedthedruggistsagely。

YoungGeorgeWillard，whohadnothingtodo，wasgladbecausehedidnotfeellikeworkingthatday。TheweeklypaperhadbeenprintedandtakentothepostofficeWednesdayeveningandthesnowbegantofallonThursday。Ateighto"clock，afterthemorningtrainhadpassed，heputapairofskatesinhispocketandwentuptoWaterworksPondbutdidnotgoskating。PastthepondandalongapaththatfollowedWineCreekhewentuntilhecametoagroveofbeechtrees。Therehebuiltafireagainstthesideofalogandsatdownattheendofthelogtothink。Whenthesnowbegantofallandthewindtoblowhehurriedaboutgettingfuelforthefire。

TheyoungreporterwasthinkingofKateSwift，whohadoncebeenhisschoolteacher。Ontheeve-

ningbeforehehadgonetoherhousetogetabookshewantedhimtoreadandhadbeenalonewithherforanhour。Forthefourthorfifthtimethewomanhadtalkedtohimwithgreatearnestnessandhecouldnotmakeoutwhatshemeantbyhertalk。Hebegantobelieveshemustbeinlovewithhimandthethoughtwasbothpleasingandannoying。

Upfromtheloghesprangandbegantopilesticksonthefire。Lookingabouttobesurehewasalonehetalkedaloudpretendinghewasinthepresenceofthewoman，"Oh，，you"rejustlettingon，youknowyouare，"hedeclared。"Iamgoingtofindoutaboutyou。Youwaitandsee。"

Theyoungmangotupandwentbackalongthepathtowardtownleavingthefireblazinginthewood。Ashewentthroughthestreetstheskatesclankedinhispocket。InhisownroomintheNewWillardHousehebuiltafireinthestoveandlaydownontopofthebed。Hebegantohavelustfulthoughtsandpullingdowntheshadeofthewindowclosedhiseyesandturnedhisfacetothewall。Hetookapillowintohisarmsandembraceditthinkingfirstoftheschoolteacher，whobyherwordshadstirredsomethingwithinhim，andlaterofHelenWhite，theslimdaughterofthetownbanker，withwhomhehadbeenforalongtimehalfinlove。

Bynineo"clockofthateveningsnowlaydeepinthestreetsandtheweatherhadbecomebittercold。

Itwasdifficulttowalkabout。Thestoresweredarkandthepeoplehadcrawledawaytotheirhouses。

TheeveningtrainfromClevelandwasverylatebutnobodywasinterestedinitsarrival。Byteno"clockallbutfouroftheeighteenhundredcitizensofthetownwereinbed。

HopHiggins，thenightwatchman，waspartiallyawake。Hewaslameandcarriedaheavystick。Ondarknightshecarriedalantern。Betweennineandteno"clockhewenthisrounds。UpanddownMainStreethestumbledthroughthedriftstryingthedoorsofthestores。Thenhewentintoalleywaysandtriedthebackdoors。FindingalltighthehurriedaroundthecornertotheNewWillardHouseandbeatonthedoor。Throughtherestofthenightheintendedtostaybythestove。"Yougotobed。I"llkeepthestovegoing，"hesaidtotheboywhosleptonacotinthehoteloffice。

HopHigginssatdownbythestoveandtookoffhisshoes。Whentheboyhadgonetosleephebegantothinkofhisownaffairs。Heintendedtopainthishouseinthespringandsatbythestovecalculatingthecostofpaintandlabor。Thatledhimintoothercalculations。Thenightwatchmanwassixtyyearsoldandwantedtoretire。HehadbeenasoldierintheCivilWaranddrewasmallpension。Hehopedtofindsomenewmethodofmakingalivingandaspiredtobecomeaprofessionalbreederofferrets。

Alreadyhehadfourofthestrangelyshapedsavagelittlecreatures，thatareusedbysportsmeninthepursuitofrabbits，inthecellarofhishouse。"NowIhaveonemaleandthreefemales，"hemused。"IfIamluckybyspringIshallhavetwelveorfifteen。

InanotheryearIshallbeabletobeginadvertisingferretsforsaleinthesportingpapers。"

Thenightwatchmansettledintohischairandhismindbecameablank。Hedidnotsleep。Byyearsofpracticehehadtrainedhimselftositforhoursthroughthelongnightsneitherasleepnorawake。

Inthemorninghewasalmostasrefreshedasthoughhehadslept。

WithHopHigginssafelystowedawayinthechairbehindthestoveonlythreepeoplewereawakeinWinesburg。GeorgeWillardwasintheofficeoftheEaglepretendingtobeatworkonthewritingofastorybutinrealitycontinuingthemoodofthemorningbythefireinthewood。InthebelltowerofthePresbyterianChurchtheReverendCurtisHartmanwassittinginthedarknesspreparinghim-

selfforarevelationfromGod，andKateSwift，theschoolteacher，wasleavingherhouseforawalkinthestorm。

Itwaspastteno"clockwhenKateSwiftsetoutandthewalkwasunpremeditated。Itwasasthoughthemanandtheboy，bythinkingofher，haddrivenherforthintothewintrystreets。AuntElizabethSwifthadgonetothecountyseatconcerningsomebusinessinconnectionwithmortgagesinwhichshehadmoneyinvestedandwouldnotbebackuntilthenextday。Byahugestove，calledabaseburner，inthelivingroomofthehousesatthedaughterreadingabook。Suddenlyshesprangtoherfeetand，snatchingacloakfromarackbythefrontdoor，ranoutofthehouse。

AttheageofthirtyKateSwiftwasnotknowninWinesburgasaprettywoman。Hercomplexionwasnotgoodandherfacewascoveredwithblotchesthatindicatedillhealth。Aloneinthenightinthewinterstreetsshewaslovely。Herbackwasstraight，hershoulderssquare，andherfeatureswereasthefeaturesofatinygoddessonapedestalinagardeninthedimlightofasummerevening。

DuringtheafternoontheschoolteacherhadbeentoseeDoctorWellingconcerningherhealth。Thedoctorhadscoldedherandhaddeclaredshewasindangeroflosingherhearing。ItwasfoolishforKateSwifttobeabroadinthestorm，foolishandperhapsdangerous。

Thewomaninthestreetsdidnotrememberthewordsofthedoctorandwouldnothaveturnedbackhadsheremembered。Shewasverycoldbutafterwalkingforfiveminutesnolongermindedthecold。

FirstshewenttotheendofherownstreetandthenacrossapairofhayscalessetinthegroundbeforeafeedbarnandintoTrunionPike。AlongTrunionPikeshewenttoNedWinters"barnandturningeastfollowedastreetoflowframehousesthatledoverGospelHillandintoSuckerRoadthatrandownashallowvalleypastIkeSmead"schickenfarmtoWaterworksPond。Asshewentalong，thebold，ex-

citedmoodthathaddrivenheroutofdoorspassedandthenreturnedagain。

TherewassomethingbitingandforbiddinginthecharacterofKateSwift。Everyonefeltit。Intheschoolroomshewassilent，cold，andstern，andyetinanoddwayveryclosetoherpupils。Onceinalongwhilesomethingseemedtohavecomeoverherandshewashappy。Allofthechildrenintheschoolroomfelttheeffectofherhappiness。Foratimetheydidnotworkbutsatbackintheirchairsandlookedather。

Withhandsclaspedbehindherbacktheschoolteacherwalkedupanddownintheschoolroomandtalkedveryrapidly。Itdidnotseemtomatterwhatsubjectcameintohermind。OnceshetalkedtothechildrenofCharlesLambandmadeupstrange，inti-

matelittlestoriesconcerningthelifeofthedeadwriter。ThestoriesweretoldwiththeairofonewhohadlivedinahousewithCharlesLambandknewallthesecretsofhisprivatelife。Thechildrenweresomewhatconfused，thinkingCharlesLambmustbesomeonewhohadoncelivedinWinesburg。

Onanotheroccasiontheteachertalkedtothechil-

drenofBenvenutoCellini。Thattimetheylaughed。

Whatabragging，blustering，brave，lovablefellowshemadeoftheoldartist!Concerninghimalsosheinventedanecdotes。TherewasoneofaGermanmusicteacherwhohadaroomaboveCellini"slodg-

ingsinthecityofMilanthatmadetheboysguffaw。

SugarsMcNutts，afatboywithredcheeks，laughedsohardthathebecamedizzyandfelloffhisseatandKateSwiftlaughedwithhim。Thensuddenlyshebecameagaincoldandstern。

Onthewinternightwhenshewalkedthroughthedesertedsnow-coveredstreets，acrisishadcomeintothelifeoftheschoolteacher。AlthoughnooneinWinesburgwouldhavesuspectedit，herlifehadbeenveryadventurous。Itwasstilladventurous。

Daybydayassheworkedintheschoolroomorwalkedinthestreets，grief，hope，anddesirefoughtwithinher。Behindacoldexteriorthemostextraor-

dinaryeventstranspiredinhermind。Thepeopleofthetownthoughtofherasaconfirmedoldmaidandbecauseshespokesharplyandwentherownwaythoughtherlackinginallthehumanfeelingthatdidsomuchtomakeandmartheirownlives。

Inrealityshewasthemosteagerlypassionatesoulamongthem，andmorethanonce，inthefiveyearssinceshehadcomebackfromhertravelstosettleinWinesburgandbecomeaschoolteacher，hadbeencompelledtogooutofthehouseandwalkhalfthroughthenightfightingoutsomebattleragingwithin。OnceonanightwhenitrainedshehadstayedoutsixhoursandwhenshecamehomehadaquarrelwithAuntElizabethSwift。"Iamgladyou"renotaman，"saidthemothersharply。"MorethanonceI"vewaitedforyourfathertocomehome，notknowingwhatnewmesshehadgotinto。I"vehadmyshareofuncertaintyandyoucannotblamemeifIdonotwanttoseetheworstsideofhimreproducedinyou。"

KateSwift"smindwasablazewiththoughtsofGeorgeWillard。Insomethinghehadwrittenasaschoolboyshethoughtshehadrecognizedthesparkofgeniusandwantedtoblowonthespark。

OnedayinthesummershehadgonetotheEagleofficeandfindingtheboyunoccupiedhadtakenhimoutMainStreettotheFairGround，wherethetwosatonagrassybankandtalked。Theschoolteachertriedtobringhometothemindoftheboysomeconceptionofthedifficultieshewouldhavetofaceasawriter。"Youwillhavetoknowlife，"shedeclared，andhervoicetrembledwithearnestness。

ShetookholdofGeorgeWillard"sshouldersandturnedhimaboutsothatshecouldlookintohiseyes。Apasser-bymighthavethoughtthemabouttoembrace。"Ifyouaretobecomeawriteryou"llhavetostopfoolingwithwords，"sheexplained。"Itwouldbebettertogiveupthenotionofwritinguntilyouarebetterprepared。Nowit"stimetobeliving。Idon"twanttofrightenyou，butIwouldliketomakeyouunderstandtheimportofwhatyouthinkofattempting。Youmustnotbecomeamerepeddlerofwords。Thethingtolearnistoknowwhatpeoplearethinkingabout，notwhattheysay。"

OntheeveningbeforethatstormyThursdaynightwhentheReverendCurtisHartmansatinthebelltowerofthechurchwaitingtolookatherbody，youngWillardhadgonetovisittheteacherandtoborrowabook。Itwasthenthethinghappenedthatconfusedandpuzzledtheboy。Hehadthebookunderhisarmandwaspreparingtodepart。AgainKateSwifttalkedwithgreatearnestness。Nightwascomingonandthelightintheroomgrewdim。Asheturnedtogoshespokehisnamesoftlyandwithanimpulsivemovementtookholdofhishand。Be-

causethereporterwasrapidlybecomingamansomethingofhisman"sappeal，combinedwiththewinsomenessoftheboy，stirredtheheartofthelonelywoman。Apassionatedesiretohavehimun-

derstandtheimportoflife，tolearntointerpretittrulyandhonestly，sweptoverher。Leaningfor-

ward，herlipsbrushedhischeek。Atthesamemo-

mentheforthefirsttimebecameawareofthemarkedbeautyofherfeatures。Theywerebothem-

barrassed，andtorelieveherfeelingshebecameharshanddomineering。"What"stheuse？ItwillbetenyearsbeforeyoubegintounderstandwhatI

meanwhenItalktoyou，"shecriedpassionately。

Onthenightofthestormandwhiletheministersatinthechurchwaitingforher，KateSwiftwenttotheofficeoftheWinesburgEagle，intendingtohaveanothertalkwiththeboy。Afterthelongwalkinthesnowshewascold，lonely，andtired。AsshecamethroughMainStreetshesawthefightfromtheprintshopwindowshiningonthesnowandonanimpulseopenedthedoorandwentin。Foranhourshesatbythestoveintheofficetalkingoflife。Shetalkedwithpassionateearnestness。Theimpulsethathaddrivenheroutintothesnowpoureditselfoutintotalk。Shebecameinspiredasshesometimesdidinthepresenceofthechildreninschool。Agreateagernesstoopenthedooroflifetotheboy，whohadbeenherpupilandwhoshethoughtmightpos-

sessatalentfortheunderstandingoflife，hadpos-

sessionofher。Sostrongwasherpassionthatitbecamesomethingphysical。Againherhandstookholdofhisshouldersandsheturnedhimabout。Inthedimlighthereyesblazed。Shearoseandlaughed，notsharplyaswascustomarywithher，butinaqueer，hesitatingway。"Imustbegoing，"shesaid。"Inamoment，ifIstay，I"llbewantingtokissyou。"

Inthenewspaperofficeaconfusionarose。KateSwiftturnedandwalkedtothedoor。Shewasateacherbutshewasalsoawoman。AsshelookedatGeorgeWillard，thepassionatedesiretobelovedbyaman，thathadathousandtimesbeforesweptlikeastormoverherbody，tookpossessionofher。

InthelamplightGeorgeWillardlookednolongeraboy，butamanreadytoplaythepartofaman。

TheschoolteacherletGeorgeWillardtakeherintohisarms。Inthewarmlittleofficetheairbecamesuddenlyheavyandthestrengthwentoutofherbody。Leaningagainstalowcounterbythedoorshewaited。Whenhecameandputahandonhershoul-

dersheturnedandletherbodyfallheavilyagainsthim。ForGeorgeWillardtheconfusionwasimmedi-

atelyincreased。Foramomentheheldthebodyofthewomantightlyagainsthisbodyandthenitstiff-

ened。Twosharplittlefistsbegantobeatonhisface。

Whentheschoolteacherhadrunawayandlefthimalone，hewalkedupanddowntheofficeswearingfuriously。

ItwasintothisconfusionthattheReverendCurtisHartmanprotrudedhimself。WhenhecameinGeorgeWillardthoughtthetownhadgonemad。

Shakingableedingfistintheair，theministerpro-

claimedthewomanGeorgehadonlyamomentbe-

foreheldinhisarmsaninstrumentofGodbearingamessageoftruth。

Georgeblewoutthelampbythewindowandlockingthedooroftheprintshopwenthome。

Throughthehoteloffice，pastHopHigginslostinhisdreamoftheraisingofferrets，hewentandupintohisownroom。Thefireinthestovehadgoneoutandheundressedinthecold。Whenhegotintobedthesheetswerelikeblanketsofdrysnow。

GeorgeWillardrolledaboutinthebedonwhichhadlainintheafternoonhuggingthepillowandthinkingthoughtsofKateSwift。Thewordsoftheminister，whohethoughthadgonesuddenlyin-

sane，ranginhisears。Hiseyesstaredabouttheroom。Theresentment，naturaltothebaffledmale，passedandhetriedtounderstandwhathadhap-

pened。Hecouldnotmakeitout。Overandoverheturnedthematterinhismind。Hourspassedandhebegantothinkitmustbetimeforanotherdaytocome。Atfouro"clockhepulledthecoversupabouthisneckandtriedtosleep。Whenhebecamedrowsyandclosedhiseyes，heraisedahandandwithitgropedaboutinthedarkness。"Ihavemissedsome-

thing。IhavemissedsomethingKateSwiftwastry-

ingtotellme，"hemutteredsleepily。ThenhesleptandinallWinesburghewasthelastsoulonthatwinternighttogotosleep。

LONELINESS

HEWASTHEsonofMrs。AlRobinsonwhoonceownedafarmonasideroadleadingoffTrunionPike，eastofWinesburgandtwomilesbeyondthetownlimits。Thefarmhousewaspaintedbrownandtheblindstoallofthewindowsfacingtheroadwerekeptclosed。Intheroadbeforethehouseaflockofchickens，accompaniedbytwoguineahens，layinthedeepdust。EnochlivedinthehousewithhismotherinthosedaysandwhenhewasayoungboywenttoschoolattheWinesburgHighSchool。Oldcitizensrememberedhimasaquiet，smilingyouthinclinedtosilence。Hewalkedinthemiddleoftheroadwhenhecameintotownandsometimesreadabook。Driversofteamshadtoshoutandsweartomakehimrealizewherehewassothathewouldturnoutofthebeatentrackandletthempass。

Whenhewastwenty-oneyearsoldEnochwenttoNewYorkCityandwasacitymanforfifteenyears。HestudiedFrenchandwenttoanartschool，hopingtodevelopafacultyhehadfordrawing。InhisownmindheplannedtogotoParisandtofinishhisarteducationamongthemastersthere，butthatneverturnedout。

NothingeverturnedoutforEnochRobinson。Hecoulddrawwellenoughandhehadmanyodddeli-

catethoughtshiddenawayinhisbrainthatmighthaveexpressedthemselvesthroughthebrushofapainter，buthewasalwaysachildandthatwasahandicaptohisworldlydevelopment。Henevergrewupandofcoursehecouldn"tunderstandpeo-

pleandhecouldn"tmakepeopleunderstandhim。

Thechildinhimkeptbumpingagainstthings，againstactualitieslikemoneyandsexandopinions。

Oncehewashitbyastreetcarandthrownagainstanironpost。Thatmadehimlame。ItwasoneofthemanythingsthatkeptthingsfromturningoutforEnochRobinsonInNewYorkCity，whenhefirstwenttheretoliveandbeforehebecameconfusedanddisconcertedbythefactsoflife，Enochwentaboutagooddealwithyoungmen。Hegotintoagroupofotheryoungartists，bothmenandwomen，andintheeveningstheysometimescametovisithiminhisroom。Oncehegotdrunkandwastakentoapolicestationwhereapolicemagistratefrightenedhimhorribly，andoncehetriedtohaveanaffairwithawomanofthetownmetonthesidewalkbeforehislodginghouse。ThewomanandEnochwalkedtogetherthreeblocksandthentheyoungmangrewafraidandranaway。Thewomanhadbeendrinkingandtheincidentamusedher。Sheleanedagainstthewallofabuildingandlaughedsoheartilythatanothermanstoppedandlaughedwithher。Thetwowentawaytogether，stilllaughing，andEnochcreptofftohisroomtremblingandvexed。

TheroominwhichyoungRobinsonlivedinNewYorkfacedWashingtonSquareandwaslongandnarrowlikeahallway。Itisimportanttogetthatfixedinyourmind。ThestoryofEnochisinfactthestoryofaroomalmostmorethanitisthestoryofaman。