第2章
"Acourtofjusticehasdecreedherguilty，"heassertedonceagain，inhisponderousmanner。Hisemphasisindicatedthattheretheaffairended。
Demarestsmiledcynicallyashestrodetoandfro。
"Nowadays，"heshotout，"wedon"tcallthemcourtsofjustice:
wecallthemcourtsoflaw。"
Gilderyieldedonlyaratherdubioussmileoverthequip。Thismuchhefeltthathecouldafford，sincethosesamecourtsservedhispersonalpurposeswellindeed。
"Anyway，"hedeclared，becominggenialagain，"it"soutofourhands。There"snothingwecando，now。"
"Why，astothat，"thelawyerreplied，withahintofhesitation，"Iamnotsosure。Yousee，thefactofthematteristhat，thoughIhelpedtoprosecutethecase，Iamnotalittlebitproudoftheverdict。"
Gilderraisedhiseyebrowsinunfeignedastonishment。Evenyet，hewasquitewithoutappreciationoftheattorney"sfeelinginreferencetotheconductofthecase。
"Why？"hequestioned，sharply。
"Because，"thelawyersaid，againhaltingdirectlybeforethedesk，"inspiteofalltheevidenceagainsther，IamnotsurethatMaryTurnerisguilty——farfromit，infact!"
Gilderutteredanejaculationofcontempt，butDemarestwentonresolutely。
"Anyhow，"heexplained，"thegirlwantstoseeyou，andIwishtourgeyoutograntheraninterview。"
Gilderflaredatthissuggestion，andscowledwrathfullyonthelawyer，who，perhapswithprofessionalprudence，hadturnedawayinhisrapidpacingoftheroom。
"What"stheuse？"Gilderstormed。Alatenthardnessrevealeditselfattheprospectofsuchavisitation。Andalongwiththishardnesscameanothersingularrevelationofthenatureoftheman。Fortherewasconsternationinhisvoice，ashecontinuedinvehementexpostulationagainsttheidea。Iftherewasharshnessinhisattitudetherewas，too，afugitivesuggestionoftendernessalarmedovertheprospectofundergoingsuchaninterviewwithawoman。
"Ican"thavehercryingallovertheofficeandbeggingformercy，"heprotested，truculently。Butanoteoffearlayunderthepetulance。
Demarest"sanswerwasgivenwithassurance"
"Youaremistakenaboutthat。Thegirldoesn"tbegformercy。
Infact，that"sthewholepointofthematter。Shedemandsjustice——strangeasthatmayseem，inacourtoflaw!——andnothingelse。Thetruthis，she"saveryunusualgirl，alongwaybeyondtheordinarysales-girl，bothinbrainsandineducation。"
"Thelessreason，then，forherbeingathief，"Gildergrumbledinhisheaviestvoice。
"Andperhapsthelessreasonforbelievinghertobeathief，"
thelawyerretorted，suavely。Hepausedforamoment，thenwenton。Therewasatoneofsinceredeterminationinhisvoice。
"Justbeforethejudgeimposedsentence，heaskedherifshehadanythingtosay。Youknow，it"sjustausualform——athingthatrarelymeansmuchofanything。Butthiscasewasdifferent，letmetellyou。Shesurprisedusallbyansweringatoncethatshehad。It"sreallyapity，Gilder，thatyoudidn"twait。Why，thatpoorgirlmadea——damn——finespeech!"
Thelawyer"sforensicaspirationsshowedinhishonestappreciationoftheeffectivenessofsuchoratoryfromtheheartashehadheardinthecourtroomthatday。
"Pooh!pooh!"camethequerulousobjection。"Sheseemstohavehypnotizedyou。"Then，asanewthoughtcametothemagnate，hespokewithatraceofanxiety。Therewerealwaysthereporters，lookingforspacetofillwithfoolishvaporings。
"Didshesayanythingagainstme，orthestore？"
"Notaword，"thelawyerreplied，gravely。Hissmileofappreciationwasdiscreetlysecret。"Shemerelytoldushowherfatherdiedwhenshewassixteenyearsold。Shewascompelledafterthattoearnherownliving。Thenshetoldhowshehadworkedforyouforfiveyearssteadily，withoutthereeverbeingasinglethingagainsther。Shesaid，too，thatshehadneverseenthethingsfoundinherlocker。Andshesaidmorethanthat!Sheaskedthejudgeifhehimselfunderstoodwhatitmeansforagirltobesentencedtoprisonforsomethingshehadn"tdone。Somehow，Gilder，thewayshetalkedhaditseffectoneverybodyinthecourtroom。Iknow!It"smybusinesstounderstandthingslikethat。Andwhatshesaidrangtrue。Whatshesaid，andthewayshesaidit，takebrainsandcourage。Theordinarycrookhasneither。So，Ihadasuspicionthatshemightbespeakingthetruth。Yousee，Gilder，itallrangtrue!Andit"smybusinesstoknowhowthingsringinthatway。"Therewasalittlepause，whilethelawyermovedbackandforthnervously。
Then，headded:"IbelieveLawlorwouldhavesuspendedsentenceifithadn"tbeenforyourtalkwithhim。"
TherewerenotwantingsignsthatGilderwasimpressed。Butthegentlerfibersofthemanwereatrophiedbythehabitsofalifetime。Whathearthehadoncepossessedhadbeenburiedinthegraveofhisyoungwife，toberesurrectedonlyforhisson。
Inmostthings，hewasconsistentlyahardman。Sincehehadnoimagination，hecouldhavenorealsympathy。
Hewhirledaboutinhisswivelchair，andblewacloudofsmokefromhismouth。Whenhespoke，hisvoicewasdeeplyresonant。
"Isimplydidmyduty，"hesaid。"YouareawarethatIdidnotseekanyconsultationwithJudgeLawlor。Hesentforme，andaskedmewhatIthoughtaboutthecase——whetherIthoughtitwouldberighttoletthegirlgoonasuspendedsentence。I
toldhimfranklythatIbelievedthatanexampleshouldbemadeofher，forthesakeofotherswhomightbetemptedtosteal。
Propertyhassomerights，Demarest，althoughitseemstobegettingnowadayssothatanybodyislikelytodenyit。"Thenthefretful，half-alarmednotesoundedinhisvoiceagain，ashecontinued:"Ican"tunderstandwhythegirlwantstoseeme。"
Thelawyersmileddryly，sincehehadhisbackturnedatthemoment。
"Why，"hevouchsafed，"shejustsaidthat，ifyouwouldseeherfortenminutes，shewouldtellyouhowtostopthetheftsinthisstore。"
Gilderdisplayedsignsoftriumph。Hebroughthischairtoalevelandpoundedthedeskwithaweightyfist。
"There!"hecried。"Iknewit。Thegirlwantstoconfess。
Well，it"sthefirstsignofdecentfeelingshe"sshown。I
supposeitoughttobeencouraged。Probablytherehavebeenothersmixedupinthis。"
Demarestattemptednodenial。
"Perhaps，"headmitted，thoughhespokealtogetherwithoutconviction。"But，"hecontinuedinsinuatingly，"atleastitcandonoharmifyouseeher。Ithoughtyouwouldbewilling，soI
spoketotheDistrictAttorney，andhehasgivenorderstobringherhereforafewminutesonthewaytotheGrandCentralStation。They"retakingheruptoBurnsing，youknow。Iwish，Gilder，youwouldhavealittletalkwithher。Noharminthat!"
Withthesaying，thelawyerabruptlywentoutoftheoffice，leavingtheownerofthestorefuming。
CHAPTERIV。KISSESANDKLEPTOMANIA。
"Hello，Dad!"
Aftertheattorney"sdeparture，Gilderhadbeenratherfussilygoingoversomeofthepapersonhisdesk。Hewasexperiencingavaguefeelingofinjuryonaccountofthelawyer"sill-veiledeffortstoarousehissympathyinbehalfoftheaccusedgirl。Intheinstinctofstrengtheninghimselfagainstthepossibilityofyieldingtowhathedeemedweakness，themagnaterehearsedthefactsthatjustifiedhisintolerance，and，indeed，sooncametogloatingovertheadmirablemannerinwhichrighteousnessthrivesintheworld。Anditwasthenthataninterruptioncameintheutteranceoftwowords，wordsofaffection，oflove，criedoutintheonevoicehemostlongedtohear——forthevoicewasthatofhisson。Yet，hedidnotlookup。Thethingwasaltogetherimpossible!Theboywasphilandering，junketing，somewhereontheRiviera。Hisfirstintimationastotheexactplacewouldcomeintheformofacableaskingformoney。Somehow，hisfeelingshadbeenundulystirredthatmorning；hehadgrownsentimental，dreamingofpleasantthings……Allthisinasecond。Then，helookedup。Why，itwastrue!ItwasDick"sfacethere，smilinginthedoorway。Yes，itwasDick，itwasDickhimself!Gildersprangtohisfeet，hisfacesuddenlygrownyounger，radiant。
"Dick!"Thebigvoicewassoftenedtoexquisitetenderness。
Astheeyesofthetwomet，theboyrushedforward，andinthenextmomentthehandsoffatherandsonclaspedfirmly。Theyweresilentinthefirstemotionoftheirgreeting。Presently，Gilderspoke，withanefforttowardharshnessinhisvoicetomaskhowmuchhewasshaken。Butthetonesrangmorekindlythananyhehadusedformanyaday，tremulouswithaffection。
"Whatbroughtyouback？"hedemanded。
Dick，too，hadfeltthetensionofanemotionfarbeyondthatoftheusualthings。Hewasforcedtoclearhisthroatbeforeheansweredwiththatassumptionofnonchalancewhichheregardedasbefittingtheoccasion。
"Why，Ijustwantedtocomebackhome，"hesaid；lightly。A
suddenrecollectioncametogivehimpoiseinthistimeofemotionaldisturbance，andheaddedhastily:"And，fortheloveofheaven，giveSadiefivedollars。Iborroweditfromhertopaythetaxi"。Yousee，Dad，I"mbroke。"
"Ofcourse!"Withthesaying，EdwardGilderroaredGargantuanlaughter。Intheburstofmerriment，hispentfeelingsfoundtheirvent。Hewasstillchucklingwhenhespoke，sagefrommuchexperienceofoceantravel。"Pokerontheship，Isuppose。"
Theyoungman，too，smiledreminiscentlyasheanswered:
"No，notthat，thoughIdidhavealittleruninatMonteCarlo。
Butitwastheshipthatfinishedme，atthat。Yousee，Dad，theyhiredCaptainKiddandabunchofpiratesasstewards，andwhattheydidtolittleRichardwassomethingfierce。Andyet，thatwasn"ttherealtrouble，either。Thefactis，Ijustnaturallywentbroke。Notahardthingtodoontheotherside。"
"Noronthis，"thefatherinterjected，dryly。
"Anyhow，itdoesn"tmattermuch，"Dickreplied，quiteunabashed。
"Tellme，Dad，howgoesit？"
Gildersettledhimselfagaininhischair，andgazedbenignantlyonhisson。
"Prettywell，"hesaidcontentedly；"prettywell，son。I"mgladtoseeyouhomeagain，myboy。"Therewasagreattendernessintheusuallyrathercoldgrayeyes。
Theyoungmanansweredpromptly，withdelightinhismannerofspeech，andasinceritythatrevealedtheunderlyingmeritofhisnature。
"AndI"mgladtobehome，Dad，tobe"——therewasagainthatclearingofthethroat，buthefinishedbravely——"withyou。"
Thefatheravoidedathreateningdisplayofemotionbyanabruptchangeofsubjecttothetrite。
"Haveagoodtime？"heinquiredcasually，whilefumblingwiththepapersonthedesk。
Dick"sfacebrokeinasmileofreminiscenthappiness。
"Thetimeofmyyounglife!"Hepaused，andthesmilebroadened。
Therewasamightyenthusiasminhisvoiceashecontinued:"I
tellyou，Dad，it"safactthatIdidalmostbreakthebankatMonteCarlo。I"dhavedoneitsure，ifonlymymoneyhadheldout。"
"ItseemstomethatI"veheardsomethingofthesortbefore，"
wasGilder"scausticcomment。Buthissmilewasstillwhollysympathetic。Hetookacuriousvicariousdelightintheescapadesofhisson，probablybecausehehimselfhadcommittednofolliesinhiscallowdays。"Whydidn"tyoucableme？"heasked，puzzledatsuchrestraintonthepartofhisson。
Dickansweredwithsimplesincerity。
"Becauseitgavemeacapitalexcuseforcominghome。"
ItwasSarahwhoaffordedadiversion。ShehadknownDickwhilehewasyetachild，hadboughthimcandy，hadfelttowardhimamaternallikingthatincreasedratherthandiminishedashegrewtomanhood。Now，herfacelightedatsightofhim，andshesmiledawelcome。
"Iseeyouhavefoundhim，"shesaid，witharippleoflaughter。
Dickwelcomedthisinterruptionofthegravermood。
"Sadie，"hesaid，withamanneroftheutmostseriousness，"youarelookingfinerthanever。Andhowthinyouhavegrown!"
Thegirl，eagerwithfondfanciestowardtheslenderideal，acceptedthecomplimentliterally。
"Oh，Mr。Dick!"sheexclaimed，rapturously。"HowmuchdoyouthinkIhavelost？"
ThewhimsicalheirofthehouseofGildersurveyedhisvictimcritically，thenspokewithjudicialsolemnity。
"Abouttwoounces，Sadie。"
TherecamealookofdeephurtonSadie"sfaceattheflippantjest，whichDickhimselfwasquicktonote。
Hehadnotguessedshewasthusacutelysensitiveconcerningherplumpness。Instantly，hewasallcontritionoverhisunwittingoffenseinflictedonherwomanlyvanity。
"Oh，I"msorry，Sadie，"heexclaimedpenitently。"Pleasedon"tbereallyangrywithme。Ofcourse，Ididn"tmean——"
"Totwitonfacts!"thesecretaryinterrupted，bitterly。
"Pooh!"Dickcried，craftily。"Youaren"tplumpenoughtobesensitiveaboutit。Why，you"rejustright。"Therewassomethingveryboyishabouthismanner，ashecaughtatthegirl"sarm。Amemoryofthedayswhenshehadcuddledhimcausedhimtospeakwarmly，forgettingthepresenceofhisfather。
"Now，don"tbeangry，Sadie。Justgivemealittlekiss，asyouusedtodo。"Hesweptherintohisarms，andhislipsmethersinaheartycaress。"There!"hecried。"Justtoshowthere"snoillfeeling。"
Thegirlwascompletelymollified，thoughinmuchembarrassment。
"Why，Mr。Dick!"shestammered，inconfusion。"Why，Mr。Dick!"
Gilder，whohadwatchedthesceneingreatastonishment，nowinterposedtoendit。
"Stop，Dick!"hecommanded，crisply。"YouareactuallymakingSarahblush。Ithinkthat"saboutenough，son。"
Butasuddenunaccustomedgustofaffectionswirledinthebreastofthelad。PlainAnglo-Saxonashewas，withallthatimpliesastotheavoidanceofdisplaysofemotion，neverthelesshehadbeenforalongtimeinlandsfarfromhome，wherethehabitsofimpulsiveandaffectionatepeopleswereradicallyunlikeourownaustererforms。Sonow，underthespurofanimpulsesuggestedbythedalliancewiththebuxomsecretary，hegrinnedwidelyandwenttohisfather。
"Alittlekissneverhurtsanyone，"hedeclared，blithely。Thenheaddedvivaciously:"Here，I"llshowyou!"
Withthewords，heclaspedhisarmsaroundhisfather"sneck，and，beforethatamazedgentlemancouldunderstandhispurpose，hehadkissedsoundlyfirsttheonecheekandthentheother，eachwithahearty，wholesomesmackoffilialpiety。Thisdone，hestoodback，stillbeaminghappily，whiletheastoundedSarahtitteredbewilderedly。Forhisownpart，Dickwasquiteunashamed。Helovedhisfather。Foronce，hehadexpressedthatfondnessinaprimitivefashion，andhewasglad。
Theoldermanwithdrewastep，andthererestedmotionless，undertheswayofanemotionakintodismay。Hestoodstaringintentlyathissonwithaperplexityinhisexpressionthatwasalmostludicrous。When，atlast，hespoke，hisvoicewasarumbleofstrangelyshypleasure。
"Godblessmysoul!"heexclaimed，violently。Thenheraisedahand，andrubbedfirstonecheek，andafterititsfellow，withagentlenessthatwassignificant。Thefeelingprovokedbytheembraceshowedplainlyinhisnextwords。"Why，that"sthefirsttimeyouhavekissedme，Dick，sinceyouwerealittleboy。Godblessmysoul!"herepeated。Andnowtherewasanoteofjubilation。
Theson，somewhatdisturbedbythisemotionhehadaroused，neverthelessansweredfranklywiththeexpressionofhisownfeeling，asheadvancedandlaidahandonhisfather"sshoulder。
"Thefactis，Dad，"hesaidquietly，withasmilethatwasgoodtosee，"Iamawfullygladtoseeyouagain。"
"Areyou，son？"thefathercriedhappily。Then，abruptlyhismannerchanged，forhefelthimselfperilouslyclosetothemaudlininthisnewyieldingtosentimentality。Suchkissesoftenderness，howeveragreeableinthemselves，werehardlyfittingtooneofhisdignity。"Youclearoutofhere，boy，"hecommanded，brusquely。"I"maworkingman。Buthere，waitaminute，"headded。Hebroughtforthfromapocketaneatsheafofbanknotes，whichheheldout。"There"scarfareforyou，"hesaidwithachuckle。"Andnowclearout。I"llseeyouatdinner。"
Dickbestowedthemoneyinhispocket，andagainturnedtowardthedoor。
"Youcanalwaysgetridofmeonthesameterms，"heremarkedslyly。Andthentheyoungmangaveevidencethathe，too，hadsomeofhisfather"sabilityinthingsfinancial。For，inthedoorwayheturnedwithafinalspeech，whichwasutteredinsplendiddisregardforthepacketofmoneyhehadjustreceived——perhaps，rather，inasplendidregardforit。"Oh，Dad，pleasedon"tforgettogiveSadiethatfivedollarsI
borrowedfromherforthetaxi"。"Andwiththatimpertinentreminderhewasgone。
Theownerofthestorereturnedtohislaborswithanewzest，forthemeetingwithhissonhadputhiminhighspirits。
PerhapsitmighthavebeenbetterforMaryTurnerhadshecometohimjustthen，whilehewasyetinthissoftenedmood。Butfatehadordainedthatothereventsshouldrestorehimtohisusualharderselfbeforetheirinterview。Theeffectwas，indeed，presentlyaccomplishedbytheadventofSmithsonintotheoffice。
Heenteredwithanexpressionofdiscomfitureonhisrathervacuouscountenance。Hewalkedalmostnimblytothedeskandspokewithevidentdistress，ashisemployerlookedupinterrogatively。
"McCrackenhasdetained——er——a——lady，sir，"hesaid，feebly。
"Shehasbeensearched，andwehavefoundaboutahundreddollarsworthoflacesonher。"
"Well？"Gilderdemanded，impatiently。Suchaffairsweretoocommoninthestoretomakenecessarythisintrusionofthematteronhim。"Whydidyoucometomeaboutit？"Hisstaffknewjustwhattodowithshoplifters。
Atonce，Smithsonbecameapologetic，whilerefusingtoretreat。
"I"mverysorry，sir，"hesaidhaltingly，"butIthoughtitwiser，sir，to——er——tobringthemattertoyourpersonalattention。"
"Quiteunnecessary，Smithson，"Gilderreturned，withasperity。
"Youknowmyviewsonthesubjectofproperty。TellMcCrackentohavethethiefarrested。"
Smithsonclearedhisthroatdoubtfully，andinhisstressoffeelingheevenrelaxedatriflethatmajesticalerectnessofcarriagethathadmadehimsovaluableasafloor-walker。
"She"snotexactlya——er——athief，"heventured。
"Youaretrifling，Smithson，"theownerofthestoreexclaimed，inhighexasperation。"Notathief!Andyoucaughtherwithahundreddollarsworthoflacesthatshehadn"tbought。Notathief!Whatinheaven"snamedoyoucallher，then？"
"Akleptomaniac，"Smithsonexplained，retaininghismannerofmildinsistence。"Yousee，sir，it"sthisway。TheladyhappenstobethewifeofJ。W。Gaskell，thebanker，youknow。"
Yes，Gilderdidknow。Thementionofthenamewaslikeaspellintheeffectitwroughtontheattitudeoftheirritatedownerofthestore。Instantly，hisexpressionchanged。Whilebeforehisfeatureshadbeensetgrimly，whilehiseyeshadflashedwrathfully，therewasnowonlyannoyanceoveraneventmarkedlyunfortunate。
"Howextremelyawkward!"hecried；andtherewasaveryrealconcerninhisvoice。HeregardedSmithsonkindly，whereatthatratherpulinggentlemanonceagainassumedhismartialbearing。
"Youwerequiterightincomingtome。"Foramomenthewassilent，plungedinthought。Finallyhespokewiththedecisivenesscharacteristicofhim。"Ofcourse，there"snothingwecando。Justputthestuffbackonthecounter，andlethergo。"
ButSmithsonhadnotyetwhollyunburdenedhimself。Insteadofimmediatelyleavingtheroominpursuanceofthesuccinctinstructionsgivenhim，heagainclearedhisthroatnervously，andmadeknownafurtheraggravatingfactorinthesituation。
"She"sveryangry，Mr。Gilder，"heannounced，timidly。
"She——er——shedemandsan——er——anapology。"
Theownerofthestorehalf-rosefromhischair，thenthrewhimselfbackwithanexclamationofdisgust。Heagainejaculatedthewordswithwhichhehadgreetedhisson"sunexpectedkisses，butnowtherewasavastdifferenceintheintonation。
"Godblessmysoul!"hecried。Fromhisexpression，itwasclearthatapiousaspirationwasfarthestfromhisthought。Onthecontrary!Again，hefellsilent，consideringthesituationwhichSmithsonhadpresented，and，ashereflected，hisfrownbetrayedtheemotionnaturalenoughunderthecircumstances。Atlast，however，hemasteredhisirritationtosomedegree，andspokehiscommandbriefly。"Well，Smithson，apologizetoher。Itcan"tbehelped。"Thenhisfacelightedwithasardonicamusement。"And，Smithson，"hewentonwithasortofelephantineplayfulness，"I
shalltakeitasapersonalfavorifyouwilltactfullyadvisetheladythatthegoodsatAltmanandStern"sarereallyevenfinerthanours。"
WhenSmithsonhadlefttheoffice，Gilderturnedtohissecretary。
"Takethis，"hedirected，andheforthwithdictatedthefollowinglettertothehusbandoftheladywhowasnotathief，asSmithsonhadsopainstakinglypointedout:
"J。W。GASKELL，ESQ。，"CentralNationalBank，NewYork。
"MYDEARMr。GASKELL:IfeelthatIshouldbedoinglessthanmydutyasamanifIdidnotletyouknowatoncethatMrs。Gaskellisinurgentneedofmedicalattention。Shecameintoourstoreto-day，and——"
Hepausedforamoment。"No，putitthisway，"hesaidfinally:
"Wefoundherwanderingaboutourstoreto-dayinaverynervouscondition。Inherexcitement，shecarriedawayaboutonehundreddollars"worthofrarelaces。Notrecognizingher，ourstoredetectivedetainedherforashorttime。Fortunatelyforusall，Mrs。Gaskellwasabletoexplainwhoshewas，andshehasjustgonetoherhome。HopingforMrs。Gaskell"sspeedyrecovery，andwithallgoodwishes，Iam，"Yoursverytruly。"
Yet，thoughhehadcompletedtheletter，Gilderdidnotatoncetakeupanotherdetailofhisbusiness。Instead，heremainedplungedinthought，andnowhisfrownwasoneofsimplebewilderment。Anumberofminutespassedbeforehespoke，andthenhiswordsrevealeddistinctlywhathadbeenhistrainofmeditation。
"Sadie，"hesaidinavoiceofentiresincerity，"Ican"tunderstandtheft。It"sathingabsolutelybeyondmycomprehension。"
Ontheheelsofthisingenuousdeclaration，Smithsonenteredtheoffice，andthatexcellentgentlemanappearedevenmoreperturbedthanbefore。
"Whatonearthisthematternow？"Gilderspluttered，suspiciously。
"It"sMrs。Gaskellstill，"Smithsonrepliedingreattrepidation。
"Shewantsyoupersonally，Mr。Gilder，toapologizetoher。Shesaysthattheactiontakenagainstherisanoutrage，andsheisnotsatisfiedwiththeapologiesofalltherestofus。Shesaysyoumustmakeone，too，andthatthestoredetectivemustbedischargedforintolerableinsolence。"
Gilderbouncedupfromhischairangrily。
"I"llbedamnedifI"lldischargeMcCracken，"hevociferated，glaringonSmithson，whoshrankvisibly。
Butthatmildandmeekmanhadacertainstrengthofpertinacity。
Besides，inthiscase，hehadbeenhavingmultitudinoustroublesofhisown，whichcouldbeendedonlybyhisemployer"splacatingoftheoffendedkleptomaniac。
"Butabouttheapology，Mr。Gilder，"hereminded，speakingverydeferentially，yetwithinsistence。
Businessinstincttriumphedoverthemagnate"sirritation，andhisfacecleared。
"Oh，I"llapologize，"hesaidwithawrysmileofdiscomfiture。
"I"llmakethingsevenupabitwhenIgetanapologyfromGaskell。Ishrewdlysuspectthatthatestimablegentlemanisgoingtoeathumblepie，ofmybaking，fromhiswife"srecipe。
Andhiswillbeanhonestapology——whichminewon"t，notbyadamnedsight!"Withthewords，helefttheroom，inhiswakeahugelyrelievedSmithson。
Aloneintheoffice，Sarahneglectedherworkforafewminutestobroodoverthestartlingcontrastofeventsthathadjustforceditselfonherattention。Shewasnotagirlgiventotheanalysisofeitherpersonsorthings，butinthisinstancethemovementofaffairshadcomeclosetoher，andshewascompelledtosomedepthoffeelingbythetwoaspectsoflifeonwhichto-dayshelooked。Intheonecase，assheknewit，agirlundertheurgeofpovertyhadstolen。Thatthiefhadbeenpromptlyarrested，finallyshehadbeentried，hadbeenconvicted，hadbeensentencedtothreeyearsinprison。Intheothercase，awomanofwealthhadstolen。Therehadbeennopunishment。A
euphemismofkleptomaniahadbeenofferedandacceptedassufficientexcuseforhercrime。Apoliteliehadbeenwrittentoherhusband，abankerofpowerinthecity。Toher，theproprietorofthestorewasevennowapologizingincourteousphrasesofregret……AndMaryTurnerhadbeensentencedtothreeyearsinprison。Sadieshookherheadindolorousdoubt，assheagainbentoverthekeysofhertypewriter。Certainly，somehappeningsinthisworldofoursdidnotseemquitefair。
CHAPTERV。THEVICTIMOFTHELAW。
ItwasonthissamedaythatSarah，ononeofhernumeroustripsthroughthestoreinbehalfofGilder，wasaccostedbyasalesgirl，whosename，HelenMorris，shechancedtoknow。Itwasinaspotsomewhereoutofthecrowd，sothatforthemomentthetwowerepracticallyalone。ThesalesgirlshowedsignsofembarrassmentassheventuredtolayadetaininghandonSarah"sarm，butshemaintainedherposition，despitethesecretary"smannerofdisapproval。
"Whatonearthdoyouwant？"Sarahinquired，snappishly。
Thesalesgirlputherquestionatonce。
"WhatdidtheydotoMaryTurner？"
"Oh，that!"thesecretaryexclaimed，withincreasedimpatienceoverthedelay，forshewasverybusy，asalways。"Youwillallknowsoonenough。"
"Tellmenow。"Thevoiceofthegirlwassingularlycompelling；
therewassomethingvividlyimpressiveaboutherjustnow，thoughherpallid，prematurelymaturefaceandthethinfigureintheregulationblackdressandwhiteapronshowedordinarilyonlyinsignificant。"Tellmenow，"sherepeated，withamonotonousemphasisthatsomehowmovedSarahtoobedienceagainstherwill，greatlytoherownsurprise。
"Theysenthertoprisonforthreeyears，"sheanswered，sharply。
"Threeyears？"Thesalesgirlhadrepeatedthewordsinatonethatwasindefinable，yetatonevehementinitsincredulousquestioning。"Threeyears？"shesaidagain，asonerefusingtobelieve。
"Yes，"Sarahsaid，impressedbythegirl"searnestness；"threeyears。"
"GoodGod!"Therewasnoirreverenceintheexclamationthatbrokefromthegirl"slips。Instead，onlyatensehorrorthattouchedtotherootsofemotion。
Sarahregardedthisdisplayoffeelingonthepartoftheyoungwomanbeforeherwithanincreasingastonishment。Itwasnotinherownnaturetobedemonstrative，andsuchstrongexpressionofemotionasthisshedeemedrathersuspicious。Sherecalled，inaddition，thefactthathiswasnotthefirsttimethatHelenMorrishadshownaparticularinterestinthefateofMaryTurner。Sarahwonderedwhy。
"Say，"shedemanded，withthedirectnesshabitualtoher，"whyareyousoanxiousaboutit？ThisisthethirdtimeyouhaveaskedmeaboutMaryTurner。What"sittoyou，I"dliketoknow？"
Thesalesgirlstartedviolently，andadeepflushdrovetheaccustomedpallorfromhercheeks。Shewasobviouslymuchdisturbedbythequestion。
"Whatisittome？"sherepeatedinanefforttogaintime。
"Why，nothing——nothingatall!"Herexpressionofdistresslightenedalittleasshehitonanexcusethatmightservetojustifyherinterest。"Nothingatall，only——she"safriendofmine，agreatfriendofmine。Oh，yes!"Then，inaninstant，thelookofreliefvanished，asonceagaintheterriblerealityhammeredonherconsciousness，andanoverwhelmingdejectionshowedinthedulleyesandinthedroopingcurvesofthewhitelips。Therewasamonotoneofdesolationasshewentonspeakinginawhispermeantfortheearsofnoother。"It"sawful——threeyears!Oh，Ididn"tunderstand!It"sawful!——awful!"Withthefinalword，shehurriedoff，herheadbowed。Shewasstillmurmuringbrokenly，incoherently。Herwholeattitudewasofwonderinggrief。
Sarahstaredafterthegirlincompletemystification。Shecouldnotatfirstguessanypossiblecauseforanemotionsopoignant。
Presently，however，hershrewd，thoughveryprosaic，commonsensesuggestedasimpleexplanationofthegirl"sextraordinarydistress。
"I"llbetthatgirlhasbeentemptedtosteal。Butshedidn"t，becauseshewasafraid。"Withthissatisfactoryconclusionofherwonderment，thesecretaryhurriedonherway，quitecontent。
Itneveroccurredtoherthatthegirlmighthavebeentemptedtosteal——andhadnotresistedthetemptation。
ItwasonaccountofthisbriefconversationwiththesalesgirlthatSarahwasthinkingintentlyofMaryTurner，afterherreturntotheoffice，fromwhichGilderhimselfhappenedtobeabsentforthemoment。Asthesecretaryglancedupattheopeningofthedoor，shedidnotatfirstrecognizethefigureoutlinedthere。SherememberedMaryTurnerasatall，slendergirl，whoshowedanunderlyingvitalityineverymovement，agirlwithafaceofregularfeatures，inwhichwasacomplexionofblendedmilkandroses，witharadiantjoyoflifeshiningthroughallherarduousandvulgarconditions。Insteadofthis，now，shesawafrailformthatstoodswayingintheopeningofthedoorway，thatbentinasinisterfashionwhichtoldofbodilyimpotence，whilethefacewasquitebloodless。And，too，therewasoverallelseapallofhelplessness——helplessnessthathadenduredmuch，andmuststillendureinfinitelymore。
Asareinforcementofthedreadimportofthatfigureofwo，amanstoodbesideit，andoneofhishandswasclaspedaroundthegirl"swrist，amanwhoworehisderbyhatsomewhatfarbackonhisbullet-shapedhead，whosefeetwereconspicuousinshoeswithveryheavysolesandverysquaretoes。
Itwasthemanwhonowtookchargeofthesituation。Cassidy，fromHeadquarters，spokeinarough，indifferentvoice，wellsuitedtohisappearanceofstolidstrength。
"TheDistrictAttorneytoldmetobringthisgirlhereonmywaytotheGrandCentralStationwithher。"
Sarahgottoherfeetmechanically。Somehow，fromtheraucousnotesofthepoliceman"svoice，sheunderstoodinaflashofilluminationthatthepitifulfigurethereinthedoorwaywasthatofMaryTurner，whomshehadrememberedsodifferent，sofrightfullydifferent。Shespokewithamiserableefforttowardherusualliveliness。
"Mr。Gilderwillberightback。Comeinandwait。"Shewishedtosaysomethingmore，somethingofwelcomeorofmourning，tothegirlthere，butshefoundherselfincapableofasinglewordforthemoment，andcouldonlystanddumbwhilethemansteppedforward，withhischargefollowinghelplesslyinhisclutch。
Thetwowentforwardveryslowly，theofficer，carelesslyconsciousofhisduty，walkingwithawkwardstepstosuitthefeeblemovementsofthegirl，thegirllettingherselfbedraggedonward，awareofthefutilityofanyresistancetotheinexorablepowerthatnowhadherinitsgrip，ofwhichthemanwasthepresentagent。Asthepaircamethusfalteringlyintothecenteroftheroom，Sarahatlastfoundhervoiceforanexpressionofsympathy。
"I"msorry，Mary，"shesaid，hesitatingly。"I"mterriblysorry，terriblysorry!"
Thegirl，whohadhaltedwhentheofficerhalted，asamatterofcourse，didnotlookup。Shestoodstill，swayingalittleasiffromweakness。Hervoicewaslifeless。
"Areyou？"shesaid。"Ididnotknow。NobodyhasbeennearmethewholetimeIhavebeenintheTombs。"Therewasinfinitepathosinthetonesassherepeatedthewordssofraughtwithdreadfulness。"Nobodyhasbeennearme!"
Thesecretaryfeltasuddenglowofshame。Sherealizedthejusticeofthatunconsciousaccusation，for，tillto-day，shehadhadnothoughtofthesufferinggirlthereintheprison。Toassuageremorse，shesoughttogiveevidenceastoaprevalentsympathy。
"Why，"sheexclaimed，"therewasHelenMorristo-day!Shehasbeenaskingaboutyouagainandagain。She"sallbrokenupoveryourtrouble。"
Buttheeffortonthesecretary"spartwaswhollywithoutsuccess。
"WhoisHelenMorris？"thelifelessvoicedemanded。Therewasnointerestinthequestion。
Sarahexperiencedamomentaryastonishment，forshewasstillrememberingthefeverishexcitementdisplayedbythesalesgirl，whohaddeclaredherselftobeamostintimatefriendoftheconvict。Butthemysterywastoremainunsolved，sinceGildernowenteredtheoffice。Hewalkedwiththequick，bustlingactivitythatwasordinarilyexpressedinhiseverymovement。Hepausedforaninstant，ashebeheldthetwovisitorsinthecenteroftheroom，thenhespokecurtlytothesecretary，whilecrossingtohischairatthedesk。
"Youmaygo，Sarah。IwillringwhenIwishyouagain。"
Therefollowedanintervalofsilence，whilethesecretarywasleavingtheofficeandthegirlwithherwarderstoodwaitingonhispleasure。Gilderclearedhisthroattwiceinanembarrassmentforeigntohim，beforefinallyhespoketothegirl。Atlast，theproprietorofthestoreexpressedhimselfinavoiceofgenuinesympathy，forthespectacleofwopresentedtherebeforehisveryeyesmovedhimtoarealdistress，sinceitwasindeedactual，somethingthatdidnotdependonanappreciationtobedevelopedoutofimagination。
"Mygirl，"Gildersaidgently——hishardvoicewassoftenedbyanhonestregret——"mygirl，Iamsorryaboutthis。"
"Youshouldbe!"cametheinstantanswer。Yet，thewordswereutteredwithatotallackofemotion。Itseemedfromtheirintonationthatthespeakervoicedmerelyastatementconcerningareconditematteroftruth，withwhichsentimenthadnothingwhatevertodo。Buttheeffectontheemployerwasunfortunate。
Itarousedatoncehisantagonismagainstthegirl。Hisinstinctofsympathywithwhichhehadgreetedherattheoutsetwasrepelled，andmadeofnoavail。Worse，itwastransformedintoanemotionhostiletotheonewhothusoffendedhimbyrejectionofthewell-meantkindlinessofhisaddress"Come，come!"heexclaimed，testily。"That"snotonetotakewithme。"
"Why？Whatsortoftonedoyouexpectmetotake？"wastheretortinthelistlessvoice。Yet，now，inthedullnessranafaintsuggestionofsomethingsinister。
"Iexpectedadecentamountofhumilityfromoneinyourposition，"wasthetartrejoinderofthemagnate。
Lifequickenedswiftlyinthedroopingformofthegirl。Hermusclestensed。Shestoodsuddenlyerect，inthevigorofheryouthagain。Herfacelostinthesameseconditsbleaknessofpallor。Theeyesopenedwidely，withstartlingabruptness，andlookedstraightintothoseofthemanwhohademployedher。
"Wouldyoubehumble，"shedemanded，andnowhervoicewasbecomesoftlymusical，yetforbidding，too，withanoteofpassion，"wouldyoubehumbleifyouweregoingtoprisonforthreeyears——forsomethingyoudidn"tdo？"
Therewasanguishinthecrytornfromthegirl"sthroatinthesuddenaccessofdespair。ThewordsthrilledGilderbeyondanythingthathehadsupposedpossibleinsuchcase。Hefoundhimselfinthisemergencytotallyataloss，andmovedinhischairdoubtfully，wishingtosaysomething，andquiteunable。Hewasstillseekingsomequestion，somecriticism，somerebuke，whenhewasunfeignedlyrelievedtohearthepoliceman"sharshvoice。
"Don"tmindher，sir，"Cassidysaid。Hemeanttomakehismannerveryreassuring。"Theyallsaythat。Theyareinnocent，ofcourse!Yep——theyallsayit。Itdon"tdo"emanygood，butjustthesametheyallswearthey"reinnocent。Theykeepituptotheverylast，nomatterhowrightthey"vebeengot。"
Thevoiceofthegirlrangclear。Therewasanoteofinsistencethatcarriedacuriousdignityofitsown。Theverysimplicityofherstatementmighthavehadapowertoconvinceonewholistenedwithoutprejudice，althoughthewordsthemselveswereofthetritesortthatanyprotestingcriminalmightutter。
"Itellyou，Ididn"tdoit!"