"Thegods，thegodsarestronger；timeFallsdownbeforethem，allmen'skneesBow，allmen'sprayersandsorrowsclimbLikeincensetowardthem；yea，fortheseAregods，Felise。"
Carquinezhadrelaxedfinally。Hestoleaglanceattherattlingwindows，lookedupwardatthebeamedroof，andlistenedforamomenttothesavageroarofthesouth-easterasitcaughtthebungalowinitsbellowingjaws。
Thenheheldhisglassbetweenhimandthefireandlaughedforjoythroughthegoldenwine。
"Itisbeautiful，"hesaid。"Itissweetlysweet。Itisawoman'swine，anditwasmadeforgray-robedsaintstodrink。"
"Wegrowitonourownwarmhills，"Isaid，withpardonableCaliforniapride。"Yourodeupyesterdaythroughthevinesfromwhichitwasmade。"
ItwasworthwhiletogetCarquineztoloosenup。Norwasheeverreallyhimselfuntilhefeltthemellowwarmthofthevinesinginginhisblood。
Hewasanartist，itistrue，alwaysanartist；butsomehow，sober，thehighpitchandliltwentoutofhisthought-processesandhewaspronetobeasdeadlydullasaBritishSunday——notdullasothermenaredull，butdullwhenmeasuredbythesprightlywightthatMonteCarquinezwaswhenhewasreallyhimself。
FromallthisitmustnotbeinferredthatCarquinez，whoismydearfriendanddearercomrade，wasasot。Farfromit。Herarelyerred。AsIhavesaid，hewasanartist。Heknewwhenhehadenough，andenough，withhim，wasequilibrium——theequilibriumthatisyoursandminewhenwearesober。
HiswasawiseandinstinctivetemperatenessthatsavouredoftheGreek。
YethewasfarfromGreek。"IamAztec，IamInca，IamSpaniard，"Ihaveheardhimsay。Andintruthhelookedit，acompoundofstrangeandancientraces，whatwithhisswarthyskinandtheasymmetryandprimitivenessofhisfeatures。Hiseyes，undermassivelyarchedbrows，werewideapartandblackwiththeblacknessthatisbarbaric，whilebeforethemwasperpetuallyfallingdownagreatblackmopofhairthroughwhichhegazedlikearoguishsatyrfromathicket。Heinvariablyworeasoftflannelshirtunderhisvelvet-corduroyjacket，andhisnecktiewasred。
ThislatterstoodfortheredflaghehadoncelivedwiththesocialistsofParis，anditsymbolizedthebloodandbrotherhoodofman。Also，hehadneverbeenknowntowearanythingonhisheadsavealeather-bandedsombrero。Itwasevenrumouredthathehadbeenbornwiththisparticularpieceofheadgear。AndinmyexperienceitwasprovocativeofnothingshortofsheerdelighttoseethatMexicansombrerohailingacabinPiccadillyorstorm-tossedinthecrushfortheNewYorkElevated。
AsIhavesaid，Carquinezwasmadequickbywine——"astheclaywasmadequickwhenGodbreathedthebreathoflifeintoit，"washiswayofsayingit。IconfessthathewasblasphemouslyintimatewithGod；andImustaddthattherewasnoblasphemyinhim。Hewasatalltimeshonest，and，becausehewascompoundedofparadoxes，greatlymisunderstoodbythosewhodidnotknowhim。Hecouldbeaselementallyrawattimesasascreamingsavage；andatothertimesasdelicateasamaid，assubtleasaSpaniard。
And——well，washenotAztec？Inca？Spaniard？
AndnowImustaskpardonforthespaceIhavegivenhim。Heismyfriend，andIlovehim。Thehousewasshakingtothestorm，ashedrewclosertothefireandlaughedatitthroughhiswine。Helookedatme，andbytheaddedlustreofhiseye，andbythealertnessofit，Iknewthatatlasthewaspitchedinhisproperkey。
"Andsoyouthinkyou'vewonoutagainstthegods？"hedemanded。
"Whythegods？"
"Whosewillbuttheirshasputsatietyuponman？"hecried。
"Andwhencethewillinmetoescapesatiety？"Iaskedtriumphantly。
"Againthegods，"helaughed。"Itistheirgameweplay。Theydealandshuffleallthecards……andtakethestakes。Thinknotthatyouhaveescapedbyfleeingfromthemadcities。Youwithyourvine-cladhills，yoursunsetsandyoursunrises，yourhomelyfareandsimpleroundofliving!
"I'vewatchedyoueversinceIcame。Youhavenotwon。Youhavesurrendered。Youhavemadetermswiththeenemy。Youhavemadeconfessionthatyouaretired。Youhaveflownthewhiteflagoffatigue。Youhavenailedupanoticetotheeffectthatlifeisebbingdowninyou。Youhaverunawayfromlife。Youhaveplayedatrick，shabbytrick。Youhavebalkedatthegame。Yourefusetoplay。Youhavethrownyourcardsunderthetableandrunawaytohide，hereamongstyourhills。"
Hetossedhisstraighthairbackfromhisflashingeyes，andscarcelyinterruptedtorollalong，brown，Mexicancigarette。
"Butthegodsknow。Itisanoldtrick。Allthegenerationsofmanhavetriedit……andlost。Thegodsknowhowtodealwithsuchasyou。Topursueistopossess，andtopossessistobesated。Andsoyou，inyourwisdom，haverefusedanylongertopursue。Youhaveelectedsurcease。
Verywell。Youwillbecomesatedwithsurcease。Yousayyouhaveescapedsatiety!Youhavemerelybartereditforsenility。Andsenilityisanothernameforsatiety。Itissatiety'smasquerade。Bah!"
"Butlookatme!"Icried。
Carquinezwaseverademonforhalingonessouloutandmakingragsandtattersofit。
Helookedmewitheringlyupanddown。
"Youseenosigns，"Ichallenged。
"Decayisinsidious，"heretorted。"Youarerottenripe。"
Ilaughedandforgavehimforhisverydeviltry。Butherefusedtobeforgiven。
"DoInotknow？"heasked。"Thegodsalwayswin。Ihavewatchedmenplayforyearswhatseemedawinninggame。Intheendtheylost。"
"Don'tyouevermakemistakes？"Iasked。
Heblewmanymeditativeringsofsmokebeforereplying。
"Yes，Iwasnearlyfooled，once。Letmetellyou。TherewasMarvinFiske。
Yourememberhim？AndhisDantesquefaceandpoet'ssoul，singinghischantoftheflesh，theverypriestofLove？AndtherewasEthelBaird，whomalsoyoumustremember。"
"Awarmsaint，"Isaid。
"Thatisshe!HolyasLove，andsweeter!Justawoman，madeforlove；andyet——howshallIsay？——drenchedthroughwithholinessasyourownairhereiswiththeperfumeofflowers。Well，theymarried。Theyplayedahandwiththegods——"
"Andtheywon，theygloriouslywon!"Ibrokein。
Carquinezlookedatmepityingly，andhisvoicewaslikeafuneralbell。
"Theylost。Theysupremely，colossallylost。"
"Buttheworldbelievesotherwise，"Iventuredcoldly。
"Theworldconjectures。Theworldseesonlythefaceofthings。ButI
know。Hasiteverenteredyourmindtowonderwhyshetooktheveil，buriedherselfinthatdolorousconventofthelivingdead？"
"Becauseshelovedhimso，andwhenhedied……"
SpeechwasfrozenonmylipsbyCarquinez'ssneer。
"Apatanswer，"hesaid，"machine-madelikeapieceofcotton-drill。Theworld'sjudgment!Andmuchtheworldknowsaboutit。Likeyou，shefledfromlife。Shewasbeaten。Sheflungoutthewhiteflagoffatigue。Andnobeleagueredcityeverflewthatflaginsuchbitternessandtears。
"NowIshalltellyouthewholetale，andyoumustbelieveme，forIknow。
Theyhadponderedtheproblemofsatiety。TheylovedLove。TheyknewtotheuttermostfarthingthevalueofLove。Theylovedhimsowellthattheywerefaintokeephimalways，warmanda-thrillintheirhearts。Theywelcomedhiscoming；theyfearedtohavehimdepart。
"Lovewasdesire，theyheld，adeliciouspain。Hewaseverseekingeasement，andwhenhefoundthatforwhichhesought，hedied。LovedeniedwasLovealive；LovegrantedwasLovedeceased。Doyoufollowme？Theysawitwasnotthewayoflifetobehungryforwhatithas。Toeatandstillbehungry——manhasneveraccomplishedthatfeat。Theproblemofsatiety。Thatisit。Tohaveandtokeepthesharpfamine-edgeofappetiteatthegroaningboard。Thiswastheirproblem，fortheylovedLove。Oftendidtheydiscussit，withallLove'ssweetardoursbrimmingintheireyes；hisruddybloodsprayingtheircheeks；hisvoiceplayinginandoutwiththeirvoices，nowhidingasatremolointheirthroats，andagainshadingatonewiththatineffabletendernesswhichhealonecanutter。
"HowdoIknowallthis？Isaw——much。MoreIlearnedfromherdiary。
ThisIfoundinit，fromFionaMacleod:'For，truly，thatwanderingvoice，thattwilight-whisper，thatbreathsodewy-sweet，thatflame-wingedlute-
playerwhomnoneseesbutforamoment，inarainbow-shimmerofjoy，orasuddenlightning-flareofpassion，thisexquisitemysterywecallAmor，comes，tosomeraptvisionariesatleast，notwithasonguponthelipsthatallmayhear，orwithblitheviolofpublicmusic，butasonewroughtbyecstasy，dumblyeloquentwithdesire。'
"Howtokeeptheflame-wingedlute-playerwithhisdumbeloquenceofdesire？Tofeasthimwastolosehim。Theirloveforeachotherwasagreatlove。Theirgranarieswereoverflowingwithplenitude；yettheywantedtokeepthesharpfamine-edgeoftheirloveundulled。
"NorweretheyleanlittlefledglingstheorizingonthethresholdofLove。
Theywererobustandrealizedsouls。Theyhadlovedbefore，withothers，inthedaysbeforetheymet；andinthosedaystheyhadthrottledLovewithcaresses，andkilledhimwithkisses，andburiedhiminthepitofsatiety。
"Theywerenotcoldwraiths，thismanandwoman。Theywerewarmhuman。
TheyhadnoSaxonsobernessintheirblood。Thecolourofitwassunset-
red。Theyglowedwithit。TemperamentallytheirswastheFrenchjoyintheflesh。Theywereidealists，buttheiridealismwasGallic。ItwasnottemperedbythechillandsombrefluidthatfortheEnglishservesasblood。Therewasnostoicismaboutthem。TheywereAmericans，descendedoutoftheEnglish，andyettherefrainingandself-denyingoftheEnglishspirit-gropingwerenottheirs。
"TheywereallthisthatIhavesaid，andtheyweremadeforjoy，onlytheyachievedaconcept。Acurseonconcepts!Theyplayedwithlogic，andthiswastheirlogic——Butfirstletmetellyouofatalkwehadonenight。ItwasofGautier'sMadelinedeMaupin。Yourememberthemaid？Shekissedonce，andonceonly，andkissesshewouldhavenomore。Notthatshefoundkisseswerenotsweet，butthatshefearedwithrepetitiontheywouldcloy。
Satietyagain!Shetriedtoplaywithoutstakesagainstthegods。Nowthisiscontrarytoaruleofthegamethegodsthemselveshavemade。Onlytherulesarenotpostedoverthetable。Mortalsmustplayinordertolearntherules。
"Well，tothelogic。Themanandthewomanarguedthus:Whykissonceonly？Iftokissoncewerewise，wasitnotwisertokissnotatall？
ThuscouldtheykeepLovealive。Fasting，hewouldknockforeverattheirhearts。
"Perhapsitwasoutoftheirhereditythattheyachievedthisunholyconcept。Thebreedwilloutandsometimesmostfantastically。ThusinthemdidcursedAlbionarrayherselfaschemingwanton，abold，cold-
calculating，andartfulhussy。Afterall，Idonotknow。ButthisIknow:
itwasoutoftheirinordinatedesireforjoythattheyforewentjoy。
"AshesaidIreaditlongafterwardinoneofhisletterstoher:'Toholdyouinmyarms，close，andyetnotclose。Toyearnforyou，andnevertohaveyou，andsoalwaystohaveyou。'Andshe:'Foryoutobealwaysjustbeyondmyreach。Tobeeverattainingyou，andyetneverattainingyou，andforthistolastforever，alwaysfreshandnew，andalwayswiththefirstflushuponus。
"Thatisnotthewaytheysaidit。Onmylipstheirlove-philosophyismangled。AndwhoamItodelveintotheirsoul-stuff？Iamafrog，onthedankedgeofagreatdarkness，gazinggoggle-eyedatthemysteryandwonderoftheirflamingsouls。
"Andtheywereright，asfarastheywent。Everythingisgood……aslongasitisunpossessed。SatietyandpossessionareDeath'shorses；theyruninspan。
"'AndtimecouldonlytutorustoekeOurrapture'swarmthwithcustom'safterglow。'
"TheygotthatfromasonnetofAlfredAustin's。Itwascalled'Love'sWisdom。'ItwastheonekissofMadelinedeMaupin。Howdiditrun？
"'Kissweandpart；nofurthercanwego；
AndbetterdeaththanwefromhightolowShoulddwindle，ordeclinefromstrongtoweak。'
"Buttheywerewiser。Theywouldnotkissandpart。Theywouldnotkissatall，andthustheyplannedtostayatLove'stopmostpeak。Theymarried。YouwereinEnglandatthetime。Andneverwastheresuchamarriage。Theykepttheirsecrettothemselves。Ididnotknow，then。
Theirrapture'swarmthdidnotcool。Theirloveburnedwithincreasingbrightness。Neverwasthereanythinglikeit。Thetimepassed，themonths，theyears，andevertheflame-wingedlute-playergrewmoreresplendent。
"Everybodymarvelled。Theybecamethewonderfullovers，andtheyweregreatlyenvied。Sometimeswomenpitiedherbecauseshewaschildless；itistheformtheenvyofsuchcreaturestakes。
"AndIdidnotknowtheirsecret。IponderedandImarvelled。AsfirstI
hadexpected，subconsciouslyIimagine，thepassingoftheirlove。ThenI
becameawarethatitwasTimethatpassedandLovethatremained。ThenI
becamecurious。Whatwastheirsecret？WhatwerethemagicfetterswithwhichtheyboundLovetothem？Howdidtheyholdthegracelesself？WhatelixirofeternallovehadtheydrunktogetherashadTristramandIseultofoldtime？Andwhosehandhadbrewedthefairydrink？
"AsIsay，Iwascurious，andIwatchedthem。Theywerelove-mad。TheylivedinanunendingrevelofLove。Theymadeapompandceremonialofit。
TheysaturatedthemselvesintheartandpoetryofLove。No，theywerenotneurotics。Theyweresaneandhealthy，andtheywereartists。Buttheyhadaccomplishedtheimpossible。Theyhadachieveddeathlessdesire。
"AndI？IsawmuchofthemandtheireverlastingmiracleofLove。I
puzzledandwondered，andthenoneday——"
Carquinezbrokeoffabruptlyandasked，"Haveyoueverread，'Love'sWaitingTime'？"
Ishookmyhead。
"Pagewroteit——CurtisHiddenPage，Ithink。Well，itwasthatbitofversethatgavemetheclue。Oneday，inthewindow-seatnearthebigpiano——yourememberhowshecouldplay？Sheusedtolaugh，sometimes，anddoubtwhetheritwasforthemIcame，orforthemusic。Shecalledmea'music-sot'once，a'sound-debauchee。'Whatavoicehehad!WhenhesangIbelievedinimmortality，myregardforthegodsgrewalmostpatronizingandIdevisedwaysandmeanswherebyIsurelycouldoutwitthemandtheirtricks。
"ItwasaspectacleforGod，thatmanandwoman，yearsmarried，andsinginglove-songswithafreshnessvirginalasnew-bornLovehimself，witharipenessandwealthofardourthatyoungloverscanneverknow。Youngloverswerepaleandanaemicbesidethatlong-marriedpair。Toseethem，allfireandflameandtenderness，atatremblingdistance，lavishingcaressesofeyeandvoicewitheveryaction，througheverysilence——theirlovedrivingthemtowardeachother，andtheywithholdinglikeflutteringmoths，eachtotheotheracandle-flame，andrevolvingeachabouttheotherinthemadgyrationsofanamazingorbit-flight!Itseemed，inobediencetosomegreatlawofphysics，morepotentthangravitationandmoresubtle，thattheymustcorporeallymelteachintoeachtherebeforemyveryeyes。
Smallwondertheywerecalledthewonderfullovers。
"Ihavewandered。Nowtotheclue。Onedayinthewindow-seatIfoundabookofverse。Itopenedofitself，betrayinglonghabit，to'Love'sWaitingTime。'Thepagewasthumbedandlimpwithoverhandling，andthereIread:——
"'Sosweetitistostandbutjustapart，Toknoweachotherbetter，andtokeepThesoft，delicioussenseoftwothattouch……
Olove，notyet!……Sweet，letuskeepourloveWrappedroundwithsacredmysteryawhile，Waitingthesecretofthecomingyears，Thatcomenotyet，notyet……sometime……
notyet……
Oh，yetalittlewhileourlovemaygrow!
Whenithasblossomeditwillhaplydie。
Feeditwithliplesskisses，letitsleep，Beddedindeaddenialyetsomewhile……
Oh，yetalittlewhile，alittlewhile。'
"Ifoldedthebookonmythumbandsattheresilentandwithoutmovingforalongtime。Iwasstunnedbytheclearnessofvisiontheversehadimpartedtome。Itwasillumination。ItwaslikeaboltofGod'slightninginthePit。TheywouldkeepLove，theficklesprite，theforerunnerofyounglife——younglifethatisimperativetobeborn!
"Iconnedthelinesoverinmymind——'Notyet，sometime'——'OLove，notyet'——'Feeditwithliplesskisses，letitsleep。'AndIlaughedaloud，ha，ha!Isawwithwhitevisiontheirblamelesssouls。Theywerechildren。Theydidnotunderstand。TheyplayedwithNature'sfireandbeddedwithanakedsword。Theylaughedatthegods。Theywouldstopthecosmicsap。Theyhadinventedasystem，andbroughtittothegaming-tableoflife，andexpectedtowinout。'Beware!'Icried。'Thegodsarebehindthetable。Theymakenewrulesforeverysystemthatisdevised。Youhavenochancetowin。'
"ButIdidnotsocrytothem。Iwaited。Theywouldlearnthattheirsystemwasworthlessandthrowitaway。Theywouldbecontentwithwhateverhappinessthegodsgavethemandnotstrivetowrestmoreaway。
"Iwatched。Isaidnothing。Themonthscontinuedtocomeandgo，andstillthefamine-edgeoftheirlovegrewthesharper。Neverdidtheydullitwithapermittedlove-clasp。Theygroundandwhetteditonself-denial，andsharperandsharperitgrew。ThiswentonuntilevenIdoubted。Didthegodssleep？Iwondered。Orweretheydead？Ilaughedtomyself。Themanandthewomanhadmadeamiracle。TheyhadoutwittedGod。Theyhadshamedtheflesh，andblackenedthefaceofthegoodEarthMother。Theyhadplayedwithherfireandnotbeenburned。Theywereimmune。Theywerethemselvesgods，knowinggoodfromevilandtastingnot。'Wasthisthewaygodscametobe？'Iaskedmyself。'Iamafrog，'Isaid。'Butformymud-
liddedeyesIshouldhavebeenblindedbythebrightnessofthiswonderI
havewitnessed。Ihavepuffedmyselfupwithmywisdomandpassedjudgmentupongods。'
"Yeteveninthis，mylatestwisdom，Iwaswrong。Theywerenotgods。
Theyweremanandwoman——softclaythatsighedandthrilled，shotthroughwithdesire，thumbedwithstrangeweaknesseswhichthegodshavenot。"
Carquinezbrokefromhisnarrativetorollanothercigaretteandtolaughharshly。Itwasnotaprettylaugh；itwaslikethemockeryofadevil，anditroseoverandrodetheroarofthestormthatcamemuffledtoourearsfromthecrashingoutsideworld。
"Iamafrog，"hesaidapologetically。"Howweretheytounderstand？Theywereartists，notbiologists。Theyknewtheclayofthestudio，buttheydidnotknowtheclayofwhichtheythemselvesweremade。ButthisIwillsay——theyplayedhigh。Neverwastheresuchagamebefore，andIdoubtmeiftherewilleverbesuchagameagain。
"Neverwaslovers'ecstasyliketheirs。TheyhadnotkilledLovewithkisses。Theyhadquickenedhimwithdenial。Andbydenialtheydrovehimontillhewasallaburstwithdesire。Andtheflame-wingedlute-playerfannedthemwithhiswarmwingstilltheywereallbutswooning。ItwastheverydeliriumofLove，anditcontinuedundiminishedandincreasingthroughtheweeksandmonths。
"Theylongedandyearned，withallthefondpangsandsweetdeliciousagonies，withanintensityneverfeltbyloversbeforenorsince。
"Andthenonedaythedrowsygodsceasednodding。Theyarousedandlookedatthemanandwomanwhohadmadeamockofthem。Andthemanandwomanlookedintoeachother'seyesonemorningandknewthatsomethingwasgone。
Itwastheflame-wingedone。Hehadfled，silently，inthenight，fromtheiranchorites'board。
"Theylookedintoeachother'seyesandknewthattheydidnotcare。
Desirewasdead。Doyouunderstand？Desirewasdead。Andtheyhadneverkissed。Notoncehadtheykissed。Lovewasgone。Theywouldneveryearnandburnagain。Forthemtherewasnothingleft——nomoretremblingsandflutteringsanddeliciousanguishes，nomorethrobbingandpulsing，andsighingandsong。Desirewasdead。Ithaddiedinthenight，onacouchcoldandunattended；norhadtheywitnesseditspassing。Theylearneditforthefirsttimeineachother'seyes。
"Thegodsmaynotbekind，buttheyareoftenmerciful。Theyhadtwirledthelittleivoryballandsweptthestakesfromthetable。Allthatremainedwasthemanandwomangazingintoeachother'scoldeyes。Andthenhedied。Thatwasthemercy。WithintheweekMarvinFiskewasdead——
youremembertheaccident。Andinherdiary，writtenatthistime，IlongafterwardreadMitchellKennerly's:——
"'TherewasnotasinglehourWemighthavekissedanddidnotkiss。'"
"Oh，theironyofit!"Icriedout。
AndCarquinez，inthefirelightaveritableMephistophelesinvelvetjacket，fixedmewithhisblackeyes。
"Andtheywon，yousaid？Theworld'sjudgment!Ihavetoldyou，andI
know。Theywonasyouarewinning，hereinyourhills。"
"Butyou，"Idemandedhotly；"youwithyourorgiesofsoundandsense，withyourmadcitiesandmadderfrolics——bethinkyouthatyouwin？"
Heshookhisheadslowly。"Becauseyouwithyoursoberbucolicregime，lose，isnoreasonthatIshouldwin。Weneverwin。Sometimeswethinkwewin。Thatisalittlepleasantryofthegods。"
THEAPOSTATE
"NowIwakemeuptowork；
IpraytheLordImaynotshirk。
IfIshoulddiebeforethenight，IpraytheLordmywork'sallright。
Amen。"
"Ifyoudon'tgitup，Johnny，Iwon'tgiveyouabitetoeat!"
Thethreathadnoeffectontheboy。Heclungstubbornlytosleep，fightingforitsoblivionasthedreamerfightsforhisdream。Theboy'shandslooselyclenchedthemselves，andhemadefeeble，spasmodicblowsattheair。Theseblowswereintendedforhismother，butshebetrayedpractisedfamiliarityinavoidingthemassheshookhimroughlybytheshoulder。
"Lemme'lone!"
Itwasacrythatbegan，muffled，inthedeepsofsleep，thatswiftlyrushedupward，likeawail，intopassionatebelligerence，andthatdiedawayandsankdownintoaninarticulatewhine。Itwasabestialcry，asofasoulintorment，filledwithinfiniteprotestandpain。
Butshedidnotmind。Shewasasad-eyed，tired-facedwoman，andshehadgrownusedtothistask，whichsherepeatedeverydayofherlife。Shegotagriponthebedclothesandtriedtostripthemdown；buttheboy，ceasinghispunching，clungtothemdesperately。Inahuddle，atthefootofthebed，hestillremainedcovered。Thenshetrieddraggingthebeddingtothefloor。Theboyopposedher。Shebracedherself。Herswasthesuperiorweight，andtheboyandbeddinggave，theformerinstinctivelyfollowingthelatterinordertoshelteragainstthechilloftheroomthatbitintohisbody。
Ashetoppledontheedgeofthebeditseemedthathemustfallhead-firsttothefloor。Butconsciousnessflutteredupinhim。Herightedhimselfandforamomentperilouslybalanced。Thenhestrucktheflooronhisfeet。Ontheinstanthismotherseizedhimbytheshouldersandshookhim。
Againhisfistsstruckout，thistimewithmoreforceanddirectness。Atthesametimehiseyesopened。Shereleasedhim。Hewasawake。
"Allright，"hemumbled。
Shecaughtupthelampandhurriedout，leavinghimindarkness。
"You'llbedocked，"shewarnedbacktohim。
Hedidnotmindthedarkness。Whenhehadgotintohisclothes，hewentoutintothekitchen。Histreadwasveryheavyforsothinandlightaboy。Hislegsdraggedwiththeirownweight，whichseemedunreasonablebecausetheyweresuchskinnylegs。Hedrewabroken-bottomedchairtothetable。
"Johnny，"hismothercalledsharply。
Hearoseassharplyfromthechair，and，withoutaword，wenttothesink。
Itwasagreasy，filthysink。Asmellcameupfromtheoutlet。Hetooknonoticeofit。Thatasinkshouldsmellwastohimpartofthenaturalorder，justasitwasapartofthenaturalorderthatthesoapshouldbegrimywithdish-waterandhardtolather。Nordidhetryveryhardtomakeitlather。Severalsplashesofthecoldwaterfromtherunningfaucetcompletedthefunction。Hedidnotwashhisteeth。Forthatmatterhehadneverseenatoothbrush，nordidheknowthatthereexistedbeingsintheworldwhowereguiltyofsogreatafoolishnessastoothwashing。
"Youmightwashyourselfwunstadaywithoutbein'told，"hismothercomplained。
Shewasholdingabrokenlidonthepotasshepouredtwocupsofcoffee。
Hemadenoremark，forthiswasastandingquarrelbetweenthem，andtheonethinguponwhichhismotherwashardasadamant。"Wunst"adayitwascompulsorythatheshouldwashhisface。Hedriedhimselfonagreasytowel，dampanddirtyandragged，thatlefthisfacecoveredwithshredsoflint。
"Iwishwedidn'tlivesofaraway，"shesaid，ashesatdown。"ItrytodothebestIcan。Youknowthat。Butadollarontherentissuchasavin'，an'we'vemoreroomhere。Youknowthat。"
Hescarcelyfollowedher。Hehadhearditallbefore，manytimes。Therangeofherthoughtwaslimited，andshewaseverharkingbacktothehardshipworkeduponthembylivingsofarfromthemills。
"Adollarmeansmoregrub，"heremarkedsententiously。"I'dsoonerdothewalkin'an'gitthegrub。"
Heatehurriedly，halfchewingthebreadandwashingtheunmasticatedchunksdownwithcoffee。Thehotandmuddyliquidwentbythenameofcoffee。Johnnythoughtitwascoffee——andexcellentcoffee。Thatwasoneofthefewoflife'sillusionsthatremainedtohim。Hehadneverdrunkrealcoffeeinhislife。
Inadditiontothebread，therewasasmallpieceofcoldpork。Hismotherrefilledhiscupwithcoffee。Ashewasfinishingthebread，hebegantowatchifmorewasforthcoming。Sheinterceptedhisquestioningglance。
"Now，don'tbehoggish，Johnny，"washercomment。"You'vehadyourshare。
Yourbrothersan'sistersaresmaller'nyou。"
Hedidnotanswertherebuke。Hewasnotmuchofatalker。Also，heceasedhishungryglancingformore。Hewasuncomplaining，withapatiencethatwasasterribleastheschoolinwhichithadbeenlearned。Hefinishedhiscoffee，wipedhismouthonthebackofhishand，andstartedtorise。
"Waitasecond，"shesaidhastily。"Iguesstheloafkinstandyouanotherslice——athinun。"
Therewaslegerdemaininheractions。Withalltheseemingofcuttingaslicefromtheloafforhim，sheputloafandslicebackinthebreadboxandconveyedtohimoneofherowntwoslices。Shebelievedshehaddeceivedhim，buthehadnotedhersleight-of-hand。Nevertheless，hetookthebreadshamelessly。Hehadaphilosophythathismother，becauseofherchronicsickliness，wasnotmuchofaneateranyway。
Shesawthathewaschewingthebreaddry，andreachedoverandemptiedhercoffeecupintohis。
"Don'tsetgoodsomehowonmystomachthismorning，"sheexplained。
Adistantwhistle，prolongedandshrieking，broughtbothofthemtotheirfeet。Sheglancedatthetinalarm-clockontheshelf。Thehandsstoodathalf-pastfive。Therestofthefactoryworldwasjustarousingfromsleep。Shedrewashawlabouthershoulders，andonherheadputadingyhat，shapelessandancient。
"We'vegottorun，"shesaid，turningthewickofthelampandblowingdownthechimney。
Theygropedtheirwayoutanddownthestairs。Itwasclearandcold，andJohnnyshiveredatthefirstcontactwiththeoutsideair。Thestarshadnotyetbeguntopaleinthesky，andthecitylayinblackness。BothJohnnyandhismothershuffledtheirfeetastheywalked。Therewasnoambitioninthelegmusclestoswingthefeetclearoftheground。
Afterfifteensilentminutes，hismotherturnedofftotheright。
"Don'tbelate，"washerfinalwarningfromoutofthedarkthatwasswallowingherup。
Hemadenoresponse，steadilykeepingonhisway。Inthefactoryquarter，doorswereopeningeverywhere，andhewassoononeofamultitudethatpressedonwardthroughthedark。Asheenteredthefactorygatethewhistleblewagain。Heglancedattheeast。Acrossaraggedsky-lineofhousetopsapalelightwasbeginningtocreep。Thismuchhesawofthedayasheturnedhisbackuponitandjoinedhisworkgang。
Hetookhisplaceinoneofmanylongrowsofmachines。Beforehim，aboveabinfilledwithsmallbobbins，werelargebobbinsrevolvingrapidly。
Uponthesehewoundthejute-twineofthesmallbobbins。Theworkwassimple。Allthatwasrequiredwascelerity。Thesmallbobbinswereemptiedsorapidly，andthereweresomanylargebobbinsthatdidtheemptying，thattherewerenoidlemoments。
Heworkedmechanically。Whenasmallbobbinranout，heusedhislefthandforabrake，stoppingthelargebobbinandatthesametime，withthumbandforefinger，catchingtheflyingendoftwine。Also，atthesametime，withhisrighthand，hecaughtuptheloosetwine-endofasmallbobbin。Thesevariousactswithbothhandswereperformedsimultaneouslyandswiftly。
Thentherewouldcomeaflashofhishandsasheloopedtheweaver'sknotandreleasedthebobbin。Therewasnothingdifficultaboutweaver'sknots。
Heonceboastedhecouldtietheminhissleep。Andforthatmatter，hesometimesdid，toilingcenturieslonginasinglenightattyinganendlesssuccessionofweaver'sknots。
Someoftheboysshirked，wastingtimeandmachinerybynotreplacingthesmallbobbinswhentheyranout。Andtherewasanoverseertopreventthis。HecaughtJohnny'sneighbouratthetrick，andboxedhisears。
"LookatJohnnythere——whyain'tyoulikehim？"theoverseerwrathfullydemanded。
Johnny'sbobbinswererunningfullblast，buthedidnotthrillattheindirectpraise。Therehadbeenatime……butthatwaslongago，verylongago。Hisapatheticfacewasexpressionlessashelistenedtohimselfbeingheldupasashiningexample。Hewastheperfectworker。Heknewthat。Hehadbeentoldso，often。Itwasacommonplace，andbesidesitdidn'tseemtomeananythingtohimanymore。Fromtheperfectworkerhehadevolvedintotheperfectmachine。Whenhisworkwentwrong，itwaswithhimaswiththemachine，duetofaultymaterial。Itwouldhavebeenaspossibleforaperfectnail-dietocutimperfectnailsasforhimtomakeamistake。
Andsmallwonder。Therehadneverbeenatimewhenhehadnotbeeninintimaterelationshipwithmachines。Machineryhadalmostbeenbredintohim，andatanyratehehadbeenbroughtuponit。Twelveyearsbefore，therehadbeenasmallflutterofexcitementintheloomroomofthisverymill。Johnny'smotherhadfainted。Theystretchedheroutonthefloorinthemidstoftheshriekingmachines。Acoupleofelderlywomenwerecalledfromtheirlooms。Theforemanassisted。Andinafewminutestherewasonemoresoulintheloomroomthanhadenteredbythedoors。ItwasJohnny，bornwiththepounding，crashingroaroftheloomsinhisears，drawingwithhisfirstbreaththewarm，moistairthatwasthickwithflyinglint。Hehadcoughedthatfirstdayinordertoridhislungsofthelint；andforthesamereasonhehadcoughedeversince。
TheboyalongsideofJohnnywhimperedandsniffed。Theboy'sfacewasconvulsedwithhatredfortheoverseerwhokeptathreateningeyeonhimfromadistance；buteverybobbinwasrunningfull。Theboyyelledterribleoathsintothewhirlingbobbinsbeforehim；butthesounddidnotcarryhalfadozenfeet，theroaringoftheroomholdingitinandcontainingitlikeawall。
OfallthisJohnnytooknonotice。Hehadawayofacceptingthings。
Besides，thingsgrowmonotonousbyrepetition，andthisparticularhappeninghehadwitnessedmanytimes。Itseemedtohimasuselesstoopposetheoverseerastodefythewillofamachine。Machinesweremadetogoincertainwaysandtoperformcertaintasks。Itwasthesamewiththeoverseer。
Butateleveno'clocktherewasexcitementintheroom。Inanapparentlyoccultwaytheexcitementinstantlypermeatedeverywhere。Theone-leggedboywhoworkedontheothersideofJohnnybobbedswiftlyacrossthefloortoabintruckthatstoodempty。Intothishedivedoutofsight，crutchandall。Thesuperintendentofthemillwascomingalong，accompaniedbyayoungman。Hewaswelldressedandworeastarchedshirt——agentleman，inJohnny'sclassificationofmen，andalso，"theInspector。"
Helookedsharplyattheboysashepassedalong。Sometimeshestoppedandaskedquestions。Whenhedidso，hewascompelledtoshoutatthetopofhislungs，atwhichmomentshisfacewasludicrouslycontortedwiththestrainofmakinghimselfheard。HisquickeyenotedtheemptymachinealongsideofJohnny's，buthesaidnothing。Johnnyalsocaughthiseye，andhestoppedabruptly。HecaughtJohnnybythearmtodrawhimbackastepfromthemachine；butwithanexclamationofsurprisehereleasedthearm。
"Prettyskinny，"thesuperintendentlaughedanxiously。
"Pipestems，"wastheanswer。"Lookatthoselegs。Theboy'sgottherickets——incipient，buthe'sgotthem。Ifepilepsydoesn'tgethimintheend，itwillbebecausetuberculosisgetshimfirst。"
Johnnylistened，butdidnotunderstand。Furthermorehewasnotinterestedinfutureills。Therewasanimmediateandmoreseriousillthatthreatenedhimintheformoftheinspector。
"Now，myboy，Iwantyoutotellmethetruth，"theinspectorsaid，orshouted，bendingclosetotheboy'seartomakehimhear。"Howoldareyou？"
"Fourteen，"Johnnylied，andheliedwiththefullforceofhislungs。Soloudlydidheliethatitstartedhimoffinadry，hackingcoughthatliftedthelintwhichhadbeensettlinginhislungsallmorning。
"Lookssixteenatleast，"saidthesuperintendent。
"Orsixty，"snappedtheinspector。
"He'salwayslookedthatway。"
"Howlong？"askedtheinspector，quickly。
"Foryears。Nevergetsabitolder。"
"Oryounger，Idaresay。Isupposehe'sworkedhereallthoseyears？"
"Offandon——butthatwasbeforethenewlawwaspassed，"thesuperintendenthastenedtoadd。
"Machineidle？"theinspectorasked，pointingattheunoccupiedmachinebesideJohnny's，inwhichthepart-filledbobbinswereflyinglikemad。
"Looksthatway。"Thesuperintendentmotionedtheoverseertohimandshoutedinhisearandpointedatthemachine。"Machine'sidle，"hereportedbacktotheinspector。
Theypassedon，andJohnnyreturnedtohiswork，relievedinthattheillhadbeenaverted。Buttheone-leggedboywasnotsofortunate。Thesharp-
eyedinspectorhaledhimoutatarmslengthfromthebintruck。Hislipswerequivering，andhisfacehadalltheexpressionofoneuponwhomwasfallenprofoundandirremediabledisaster。Theoverseerlookedastounded，asthoughforthefirsttimehehadlaideyesontheboy，whilethesuperintendent'sfaceexpressedshockanddispleasure。
"Iknowhim，"theinspectorsaid。"He'stwelveyearsold。I'vehadhimdischargedfromthreefactoriesinsidetheyear。Thismakesthefourth。"
Heturnedtotheone-leggedboy。"Youpromisedme，wordandhonour，thatyou'dgotoschool。"
Theone-leggedboyburstintotears。"Please，Mr。Inspector，twobabiesdiedonus，andwe'reawfulpoor。"
"Whatmakesyoucoughthatway？"theinspectordemanded，asthoughcharginghimwithcrime。
Andasindenialofguilt，theone-leggedboyreplied:"Itain'tnothin'。
Ijes'caughtacoldlastweek，Mr。Inspector，that'sall。"
Intheendtheone-leggedboywentoutoftheroomwiththeinspector，thelatteraccompaniedbytheanxiousandprotestingsuperintendent。Afterthatmonotonysettleddownagain。Thelongmorningandthelongerafternoonworeawayandthewhistleblewforquittingtime。DarknesshadalreadyfallenwhenJohnnypassedoutthroughthefactorygate。Intheintervalthesunhadmadeagoldenladderofthesky，floodedtheworldwithitsgraciouswarmth，anddroppeddownanddisappearedinthewestbehindaraggedsky-lineofhousetops。
Supperwasthefamilymealoftheday——theonemealatwhichJohnnyencounteredhisyoungerbrothersandsisters。Itpartookofthenatureofanencounter，tohim，forhewasveryold，whiletheyweredistressinglyyoung。Hehadnopatiencewiththeirexcessiveandamazingjuvenility。Hedidnotunderstandit。Hisownchildhoodwastoofarbehindhim。Hewaslikeanoldandirritableman，annoyedbytheturbulenceoftheiryoungspiritsthatwastohimarrantsilliness。Hegloweredsilentlyoverhisfood，findingcompensationinthethoughtthattheywouldsoonhavetogotowork。Thatwouldtaketheedgeoffofthemandmakethemsedateanddignified——likehim。Thusitwas，afterthefashionofthehuman，thatJohnnymadeofhimselfayardstickwithwhichtomeasuretheuniverse。
Duringthemeal，hismotherexplainedinvariouswaysandwithinfiniterepetitionthatshewastryingtodothebestshecould；sothatitwaswithrelief，thescantmealended，thatJohnnyshovedbackhischairandarose。Hedebatedforamomentbetweenbedandthefrontdoor，andfinallywentoutthelatter。Hedidnotgofar。Hesatdownonthestoop，hiskneesdrawnupandhisnarrowshouldersdroopingforward，hiselbowsonhiskneesandthepalmsofhishandssupportinghischin。
Ashesatthere，hedidnothinking。Hewasjustresting。Sofarashismindwasconcerned，itwasasleep。Hisbrothersandsisterscameout，andwithotherchildrenplayednoisilyabouthim。Anelectricglobeatthecornerlightedtheirfrolics。Hewaspeevishandirritable，thattheyknew；butthespiritofadventureluredthemintoteasinghim。Theyjoinedhandsbeforehim，and，keepingtimewiththeirbodies，chantedinhisfaceweirdanduncomplimentarydoggerel。Atfirsthesnarledcursesatthem——
curseshehadlearnedfromthelipsofvariousforemen。Findingthisfutile，andrememberinghisdignity，herelapsedintodoggedsilence。
HisbrotherWill，nexttohiminage，havingjustpassedhistenthbirthday，wastheringleader。Johnnydidnotpossessparticularlykindlyfeelingstowardhim。HislifehadearlybeenembitteredbycontinualgivingoverandgivingwaytoWill。HehadadefinitefeelingthatWillwasgreatlyinhisdebtandwasungratefulaboutit。Inhisownplaytime，farbackinthedimpast，hehadbeenrobbedofalargepartofthatplaytimebybeingcompelledtotakecareofWill。Willwasababythen，andthen，asnow，theirmotherhadspentherdaysinthemills。ToJohnnyhadfallenthepartoflittlefatherandlittlemotheraswell。
Willseemedtoshowthebenefitofthegivingoverandthegivingway。Hewaswell-built，fairlyrugged，astallashiselderbrotherandevenheavier。Itwasasthoughthelife-bloodoftheonehadbeendivertedintotheother'sveins。Andinspiritsitwasthesame。Johnnywasjaded，wornout，withoutresilience，whilehisyoungerbrotherseemedburstingandspillingoverwithexuberance。
Themockingchantroselouderandlouder。Willleanedcloserashedanced，thrustingouthistongue。Johnny'sleftarmshotoutandcaughttheotheraroundtheneck。Atthesametimeherappedhisbonyfisttotheother'snose。Itwasapatheticallybonyfist，butthatitwassharptohurtwasevidencedbythesquealofpainitproduced。Theotherchildrenwereutteringfrightenedcries，whileJohnny'ssister，Jennie，haddashedintothehouse。
HethrustWillfromhim，kickedhimsavagelyontheshins，thenreachedforhimandslammedhimfacedownwardinthedirt。Nordidhereleasehimtillthefacehadbeenrubbedintothedirtseveraltimes。Thenthemotherarrived，ananaemicwhirlwindofsolicitudeandmaternalwrath。
"Whycan'theleavemealone？"wasJohnny'sreplytoherupbraiding。
"Can'theseeI'mtired？"
"I'masbigasyou，"Willragedinherarms，hisfaceamassoftears，dirt，andblood。"I'masbigasyounow，an'I'mgoin'togitbigger。
ThenI'lllickyou——seeifIdon't。"
"Yououghttobetowork，seein'howbigyouare，"Johnnysnarled。"That'swhat'sthematterwithyou。Yououghttobetowork。An'it'suptoyourmatoputyoutowork。"
"Buthe'stooyoung，"sheprotested。"He'sonlyalittleboy。"
"Iwasyounger'nhimwhenIstartedtowork。"
Johnny'smouthwasopen，furthertoexpressthesenseofunfairnessthathefelt，butthemouthclosedwithasnap。Heturnedgloomilyonhisheelandstalkedintothehouseandtobed。Thedoorofhisroomwasopentoletinwarmthfromthekitchen。Asheundressedinthesemi-darknesshecouldhearhismothertalkingwithaneighbourwomanwhohaddroppedin。Hismotherwascrying，andherspeechwaspunctuatedwithspiritlesssniffles。
"Ican'tmakeoutwhat'sgittin'intoJohnny，"hecouldhearhersay。"Hedidn'tusedtobethisway。Hewasapatientlittleangel。
"An'heisagoodboy，"shehastenedtodefend。"He'sworkedfaithful，an'
hedidgotoworktooyoung。Butitwasn'tmyfault。IdothebestIcan，I'msure。"
Prolongedsnifflingfromthekitchen，andJohnnymurmuredtohimselfashiseyelidscloseddown，"YoubetcherlifeI'veworkedfaithful。"
Thenextmorninghewastornbodilybyhismotherfromthegripofsleep。
Thencamethemeagrebreakfast，thetrampthroughthedark，andthepaleglimpseofdayacrossthehousetopsasheturnedhisbackonitandwentinthroughthefactorygate。Itwasanotherday，ofallthedays，andallthedayswerealike。
Andyettherehadbeenvarietyinhislife——atthetimeshechangedfromonejobtoanother，orwastakensick。Whenhewassix，hewaslittlemotherandfathertoWillandtheotherchildrenstillyounger。Atsevenhewentintothemills——windingbobbins。Whenhewaseight，hegotworkinanothermill。Hisnewjobwasmarvellouslyeasy。Allhehadtodowastositdownwithalittlestickinhishandandguideastreamofcloththatflowedpasthim。Thisstreamofclothcameoutofthemawofamachine，passedoverahotroller，andwentonitswayelsewhere。Buthesatalwaysinoneplace，beyondthereachofdaylight，agas-jetflaringoverhim，himselfpartofthemechanism。
Hewasveryhappyatthatjob，inspiteofthemoistheat，forhewasstillyoungandinpossessionofdreamsandillusions。Andwonderfuldreamshedreamedashewatchedthesteamingclothstreamingendlesslyby。Buttherewasnoexerciseaboutthework，nocalluponhismind，andhedreamedlessandless，whilehismindgrewtorpidanddrowsy。Nevertheless，heearnedtwodollarsaweek，andtwodollarsrepresentedthedifferencebetweenacutestarvationandchronicunderfeeding。
Butwhenhewasnine，helosthisjob。Measleswasthecauseofit。Afterherecovered，hegotworkinaglassfactory。Thepaywasbetter，andtheworkdemandedskill。Itwaspiecework，andthemoreskilfulhewas，thebiggerwagesheearned。Herewasincentive。Andunderthisincentivehedevelopedintoaremarkableworker。
Itwassimplework，thetyingofglassstoppersintosmallbottles。Athiswaisthecarriedabundleoftwine。Heheldthebottlesbetweenhiskneessothathemightworkwithbothhands。Thus，inasittingpositionandbendingoverhisownknees，hisnarrowshouldersgrewhumpedandhischestwascontractedfortenhourseachday。Thiswasnotgoodforthelungs，buthetiedthreehundreddozenbottlesaday。
Thesuperintendentwasveryproudofhim，andbroughtvisitorstolookathim。Intenhoursthreehundreddozenbottlespassedthroughhishands。
Thismeantthathehadattainedmachine-likeperfection。Allwastemovementswereeliminated。Everymotionofhisthinarms，everymovementofamuscleinthethinfingers，wasswiftandaccurate。Heworkedathightension，andtheresultwasthathegrewnervous。Atnighthismusclestwitchedinhissleep，andinthedaytimehecouldnotrelaxandrest。Heremainedkeyedupandhismusclescontinuedtotwitch。Alsohegrewsallowandhislint-coughgrewworse。Thenpneumonialaidholdofthefeeblelungswithinthecontractedchest，andhelosthisjobintheglass-works。
Nowhehadreturnedtothejutemillswherehehadfirstbegunwithwindingbobbins。Butpromotionwaswaitingforhim。Hewasagoodworker。Hewouldnextgoonthestarcher，andlaterhewouldgointotheloomroom。
Therewasnothingafterthatexceptincreasedefficiency。
Themachineryranfasterthanwhenhehadfirstgonetowork，andhismindranslower。Henolongerdreamedatall，thoughhisearlieryearshadbeenfullofdreaming。Oncehehadbeeninlove。Itwaswhenhefirstbeganguidingtheclothoverthehotroller，anditwaswiththedaughterofthesuperintendent。Shewasmucholderthanhe，ayoungwoman，andhehadseenheratadistanceonlyapaltryhalf-dozentimes。Butthatmadenodifference。Onthesurfaceoftheclothstreamthatpouredpasthim，hepicturedradiantfutureswhereinheperformedprodigiesoftoil，inventedmiraculousmachines，wontothemastershipofthemills，andintheendtookherinhisarmsandkissedhersoberlyonthebrow。
Butthatwasallinthelongago，beforehehadgrowntoooldandtiredtolove。Also，shehadmarriedandgoneaway，andhismindhadgonetosleep。
Yetithadbeenawonderfulexperience，andheusedoftentolookbackuponitasothermenandwomenlookbackuponthetimetheybelievedinfairies。
HehadneverbelievedinfairiesnorSantaClaus；buthehadbelievedimplicitlyinthesmilingfuturehisimaginationhadwroughtintothesteamingclothstream。
Hehadbecomeamanveryearlyinlife。Atseven，whenhedrewhisfirstwages，beganhisadolescence。Acertainfeelingofindependencecreptupinhim，andtherelationshipbetweenhimandhismotherchanged。Somehow，asanearnerandbreadwinner，doinghisownworkintheworld，hewasmorelikeanequalwithher。Manhood，full-blownmanhood，hadcomewhenhewaseleven，atwhichtimehehadgonetoworkonthenightshiftforsixmonths。Nochildworksonthenightshiftandremainsachild。
Therehadbeenseveralgreateventsinhislife。OneofthesehadbeenwhenhismotherboughtsomeCaliforniaprunes。Twoothershadbeenthetwotimeswhenshecookedcustard。Thosehadbeenevents。Herememberedthemkindly。Andatthattimehismotherhadtoldhimofablissfuldishshewouldsometimemake——"floatingisland，"shehadcalledit，"betterthancustard。"Foryearshehadlookedforwardtothedaywhenhewouldsitdowntothetablewithfloatingislandbeforehim，untilatlasthehadrelegatedtheideaofittothelimboofunattainableideals。
Oncehefoundasilverquarterlyingonthesidewalk。That，also，wasagreateventinhislife，withalatragicone。Heknewhisdutyontheinstantthesilverflashedonhiseyes，beforeevenhehadpickeditup。
Athome，asusual，therewasnotenoughtoeat，andhomeheshouldhavetakenitashedidhiswageseverySaturdaynight。Rightconductinthiscasewasobvious；butheneverhadanyspendingofhismoney，andhewassufferingfromcandyhunger。Hewasravenousforthesweetsthatonlyonred-letterdayshehadevertastedinhislife。
Hedidnotattempttodeceivehimself。Heknewitwassin，anddeliberatelyhesinnedwhenhewentonafifteen-centcandydebauch。Tencentshesavedforafutureorgy；butnotbeingaccustomedtothecarryingofmoney，helostthetencents。Thisoccurredatthetimewhenhewassufferingallthetormentsofconscience，anditwastohimanactofdivineretribution。HehadafrightenedsenseoftheclosenessofanawfulandwrathfulGod。Godhadseen，andGodhadbeenswifttopunish，denyinghimeventhefullwagesofsin。
Inmemoryhealwayslookedbackuponthatastheonegreatcriminaldeedofhislife，andattherecollectionhisconsciencealwaysawokeandgavehimanothertwinge。Itwastheoneskeletoninhiscloset。Also，beingsomade，andcircumstanced，helookedbackuponthedeedwithregret。Hewasdissatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichhehadspentthequarter。Hecouldhaveinvesteditbetter，and，outofhislaterknowledgeofthequicknessofGod，hewouldhavebeatenGodoutbyspendingthewholequarteratonefellswoop。Inretrospecthespentthequarterathousandtimes，andeachtimetobetteradvantage。
Therewasoneothermemoryofthepast，dimandfaded，butstampedintohissouleverlastingbythesavagefeetofhisfather。Itwasmorelikeanightmarethanarememberedvisionofaconcretething——moreliketherace-
memoryofmanthatmakeshimfallinhissleepandthatgoesbacktohisarborealancestry。
ThisparticularmemorynevercametoJohnnyinbroaddaylightwhenhewaswideawake。Itcameatnight，inbed，atthemomentthathisconsciousnesswassinkingdownandlosingitselfinsleep。Italwaysarousedhimtofrightenedwakefulness，andforthemoment，inthefirstsickeningstart，itseemedtohimthathelaycrosswiseonthefootofthebed。Inthebedwerethevagueformsofhisfatherandmother。Heneversawwhathisfatherlookedlike。Hehadbutoneimpressionofhisfather，andthatwasthathehadsavageandpitilessfeet。
Hisearliermemorieslingeredwithhim，buthehadnolatememories。Alldayswerealike。Yesterdayorlastyearwerethesameasathousandyears——
oraminute。Nothingeverhappened。Therewerenoeventstomarkthemarchoftime。Timedidnotmarch。Itstoodalwaysstill。Itwasonlythewhirlingmachinesthatmoved，andtheymovednowhere——inspiteofthefactthattheymovedfaster。
Whenhewasfourteen，hewenttoworkonthestarcher。Itwasacolossalevent。Somethinghadatlasthappenedthatcouldberememberedbeyondanight'ssleeporaweek'spay-day。Itmarkedanera。ItwasamachineOlympiad，athingtodatefrom。"WhenIwenttoworkonthestarcher，"or，"after，"or"beforeIwenttoworkonthestarcher，"weresentencesoftenonhislips。
Hecelebratedhissixteenthbirthdaybygoingintotheloomroomandtakingaloom。Herewasanincentiveagain，foritwaspiece-work。Andheexcelled，becausetheclayofhimhadbeenmouldedbythemillsintotheperfectmachine。Attheendofthreemonthshewasrunningtwolooms，and，later，threeandfour。
Attheendofhissecondyearattheloomshewasturningoutmoreyardsthananyotherweaver，andmorethantwiceasmuchassomeofthelessskilfulones。Andathomethingsbegantoprosperasheapproachedthefullstatureofhisearningpower。Not，however，thathisincreasedearningswereinexcessofneed。Thechildrenweregrowingup。Theyatemore。Andtheyweregoingtoschool，andschool-bookscostmoney。Andsomehow，thefasterheworked，thefasterclimbedthepricesofthings。
Eventherentwentup，thoughthehousehadfallenfrombadtoworsedisrepair。