Hehadgrowntaller；butwithhisincreasedheightheseemedleanerthanever。Also，hewasmorenervous。Withthenervousnessincreasedhispeevishnessandirritability。Thechildrenhadlearnedbymanybitterlessonstofightshyofhim。Hismotherrespectedhimforhisearningpower，butsomehowherrespectwastincturedwithfear。
　　Therewasnojoyousnessinlifeforhim。Theprocessionofthedaysheneversaw。Thenightshesleptawayintwitchingunconsciousness。Therestofthetimeheworked，andhisconsciousnesswasmachineconsciousness。Outsidethishismindwasablank。Hehadnoideals，andbutoneillusion；namely，thathedrankexcellentcoffee。Hewasawork-
　　beast。Hehadnomentallifewhatever；yetdeepdowninthecryptsofhismind，unknowntohim，werebeingweighedandsiftedeveryhourofhistoil，everymovementofhishands，everytwitchofhismuscles，andpreparationsweremakingforafuturecourseofactionthatwouldamazehimandallhislittleworld。
　　Itwasinthelatespringthathecamehomefromworkonenightawareofunusualtiredness。Therewasakeenexpectancyintheairashesatdowntothetable，buthedidnotnotice。Hewentthroughthemealinmoodysilence，mechanicallyeatingwhatwasbeforehim。Thechildrenum'dandah'dandmadesmackingnoiseswiththeirmouths。Buthewasdeaftothem。
　　"D'yeknowwhatyou'reeatin'？"hismotherdemandedatlast，desperately。
　　Helookedvacantlyatthedishbeforehim，andvacantlyather。
　　"Floatin'island，"sheannouncedtriumphantly。
　　"Oh，"hesaid。
　　"Floatingisland!"thechildrenchorussedloudly。
　　"Oh，"hesaid。Andaftertwoorthreemouthfuls，headded，"IguessI
　　ain'thungryto-night。"
　　Hedroppedthespoon，shovedbackhischair，andarosewearilyfromthetable。
　　"An'IguessI'llgotobed。"
　　Hisfeetdraggedmoreheavilythanusualashecrossedthekitchenfloor。
　　UndressingwasaTitan'stask，amonstrousfutility，andheweptweaklyashecrawledintobed，oneshoestillon。Hewasawareofarising，swellingsomethinginsidehisheadthatmadehisbrainthickandfuzzy。Hisleanfingersfeltasbigashiswrist，whileintheendsofthemwasaremotenessofsensationvagueandfuzzylikehisbrain。Thesmallofhisbackachedintolerably。Allhisbonesached。Heachedeverywhere。Andinhisheadbegantheshrieking，pounding，crashing，roaringofamillionlooms。Allspacewasfilledwithflyingshuttles。Theydartedinandout，intricately，amongstthestars。Heworkedathousandloomshimself，andevertheyspeededup，fasterandfaster，andhisbrainunwound，fasterandfaster，andbecamethethreadthatfedthethousandflyingshuttles。
　　Hedidnotgotoworknextmorning。Hewastoobusyweavingcolossallyonthethousandloomsthatraninsidehishead。Hismotherwenttowork，butfirstshesentforthedoctor。Itwasasevereattackoflagrippe，hesaid。Jennieservedasnurseandcarriedouthisinstructions。
　　Itwasaverysevereattack，anditwasaweekbeforeJohnnydressedandtotteredfeeblyacrossthefloor。Anotherweek，thedoctorsaid，andhewouldbefittoreturntowork。TheforemanoftheloomroomvisitedhimonSundayafternoon，thefirstdayofhisconvalescence。Thebestweaverintheroom，theforemantoldhismother。Hisjobwouldbeheldforhim。
　　HecouldcomebacktoworkaweekfromMonday。
　　"Whydon'tyouthank'im，Johnny？"hismotheraskedanxiously。
　　"He'sbenthatsickheain'thimselfyet，"sheexplainedapologeticallytothevisitor。
　　Johnnysathunchedupandgazingsteadfastlyatthefloor。Hesatinthesamepositionlongaftertheforemanhadgone。Itwaswarmoutdoors，andhesatonthestoopintheafternoon。Sometimeshislipsmoved。Heseemedlostinendlesscalculations。
　　Nextmorning，afterthedaygrewwarm，hetookhisseatonthestoop。Hehadpencilandpaperthistimewithwhichtocontinuehiscalculations，andhecalculatedpainfullyandamazingly。
　　"Whatcomesaftermillions？"heaskedatnoon，whenWillcamehomefromschool。"An'howd'yework'em？"
　　Thatafternoonfinishedhistask。Eachday，butwithoutpaperandpencil，hereturnedtothestoop。Hewasgreatlyabsorbedintheonetreethatgrewacrossthestreet。Hestudieditforhoursatatime，andwasunusuallyinterestedwhenthewindswayeditsbranchesandfluttereditsleaves。Throughouttheweekheseemedlostinagreatcommunionwithhimself。OnSunday，sittingonthestoop，helaughedaloud，severaltimes，totheperturbationofhismother，whohadnotheardhimlaughforyears。
　　Nextmorning，intheearlydarkness，shecametohisbedtorousehim。Hehadhadhisfillofsleepalltheweek，andawokeeasily。Hemadenostruggle，nordidheattempttoholdontothebeddingwhenshestrippeditfromhim。Helayquietly，andspokequietly。
　　"Itain'tnouse，ma。"
　　"You'llbelate，"shesaid，undertheimpressionthathewasstillstupidwithsleep。
　　"I'mawake，ma，an'Itellyouitain'tnouse。Youmightaswelllemmealone。Iain'tgoin'togitup。"
　　"Butyou'llloseyourjob!"shecried。
　　"Iain'tgoin'togitup，"herepeatedinastrange，passionlessvoice。
　　Shedidnotgotoworkherselfthatmorning。Thiswassicknessbeyondanysicknessshehadeverknown。Feveranddeliriumshecouldunderstand；butthiswasinsanity。ShepulledthebeddingupoverhimandsentJennieforthedoctor。
　　Whenthatpersonarrived，Johnnywassleepinggently，andgentlyheawokeandallowedhispulsetobetaken。
　　"Nothingthematterwithhim，"thedoctorreported。"Badlydebilitated，that'sall。Notmuchmeatonhisbones。"
　　"He'salwaysbeenthatway，"hismothervolunteered。
　　"Nowgo'way，ma，an'letmefinishmysnooze。"
　　Johnnyspokesweetlyandplacidly，andsweetlyandplacidlyherolledoveronhissideandwenttosleep。
　　Atteno'clockheawokeanddressedhimself。Hewalkedoutintothekitchen，wherehefoundhismotherwithafrightenedexpressiononherface。
　　"I'mgoin'away，ma，"heannounced，"an'Ijes'wanttosaygood-bye。"
　　Shethrewherapronoverherheadandsatdownsuddenlyandwept。Hewaitedpatiently。
　　"Imighta-knownit，"shewassobbing。
　　"Where？"shefinallyasked，removingtheapronfromherheadandgazingupathimwithastrickenfaceinwhichtherewaslittlecuriosity。
　　"Idon'tknow——anywhere。"
　　Ashespoke，thetreeacrossthestreetappearedwithdazzlingbrightnessonhisinnervision。Itseemedtolurkjustunderhiseyelids，andhecouldseeitwheneverhewished。
　　"An'yourjob？"shequavered。
　　"Iain'tnevergoin'toworkagain。"
　　"MyGod，Johnny!"shewailed，"don'tsaythat!"
　　Whathehadsaidwasblasphemytoher。AsamotherwhohearsherchilddenyGod，wasJohnny'smothershockedbyhiswords。
　　"What'sgotintoyou，anyway？"shedemanded，withalameattemptatimperativeness。
　　"Figures，"heanswered。"Jes'figures。I'vebendoin'alotoffigurin'
　　thisweek，an'it'smostsurprisin'。"
　　"Idon'tseewhatthat'sgottodowithit，"shesniffled。
　　Johnnysmiledpatiently，andhismotherwasawareofadistinctshockatthepersistentabsenceofhispeevishnessandirritability。
　　"I'llshowyou，"hesaid。"I'mplum'tiredout。Whatmakesmetired？
　　Moves。I'vebenmovin'eversinceIwasborn。I'mtiredofmovin'，an'I
　　ain'tgoin'tomoveanymore。RememberwhenIworkedintheglass-house？
　　Iusedtodothreehundreddozenaday。NowIreckonImadeabouttendifferentmovestoeachbottle。That'sthirty-sixthousan'movesaday。
　　Tendays，threehundredan'sixtythousan'moves。Onemonth，onemillionan'eightythousan'moves。Chuckouttheeightythousan'"——hespokewiththecomplacentbeneficenceofaphilanthropist——"chuckouttheeightythousan'，thatleavesamillionmovesamonth——twelvemillionmovesayear。
　　"AttheloomsI'mmovin'twic'stasmuch。Thatmakestwenty-fivemillionmovesayear，an'itseemstomeI'vebenamovin'thatway'mostamillionyears。
　　"NowthisweekIain'tmovedatall。Iain'tmadeonemoveinhoursan'
　　hours。Itellyouitwasswell，jes'settin'there，hoursan'hours，an'
　　doin'nothin'。Iain'tneverbenhappybefore。Ineverhadanytime。
　　I'vebenmovin'allthetime。Thatain'tnowaytobehappy。An'Iain'tgoingtodoitanymore。I'mjes'goin'toset，an'set，an'rest，an'
　　rest，andthenrestsomemore。"
　　"Butwhat'sgoin'tocomeofWillan'thechildren？"sheaskeddespairingly。
　　"That'sit，'Willan'thechildren，'"herepeated。
　　Buttherewasnobitternessinhisvoice。Hehadlongknownhismother'sambitionfortheyoungerboy，butthethoughtofitnolongerrankled。
　　Nothingmatteredanymore。Noteventhat。
　　"Iknow，ma，whatyou'vebenplannin'forWill——keepin'himinschooltomakeabook-keeperoutofhim。Butitain'tnouse，I'vequit。He'sgottogotowork。"
　　"An'afterIhavebrungyouupthewayIhave，"shewept，startingtocoverherheadwiththeapronandchanginghermind。
　　"Youneverbrungmeup，"heansweredwithsadkindliness。"Ibrungmyselfup，ma，an'IbrungupWill。He'sbigger'nme，an'heavier，an'taller。
　　WhenIwasakid，IreckonIdidn'tgitenoughtoeat。Whenhecomealongan'wasakid，Iwasworkin'an'earnin'grubforhimtoo。Butthat'sdonewith。Willcangotowork，sameasme，orhecangotohell，Idon'tcarewhich。I'mtired。I'mgoin'now。Ain'tyougoin'tosaygoodbye？"
　　Shemadenoreply。Theapronhadgoneoverherheadagain，andshewascrying。Hepausedamomentinthedoorway。
　　"I'msureIdonethebestIknewhow，"shewassobbing。
　　Hepassedoutofthehouseanddownthestreet。Awandelightcameintohisfaceatthesightofthelonetree。"Jes'ain'tgoin'todonothin'，"
　　hesaidtohimself，halfaloud，inacrooningtone。Heglancedwistfullyupatthesky，butthebrightsundazzledandblindedhim。
　　Itwasalongwalkhetook，andhedidnotwalkfast。Ittookhimpastthejute-mill。Themuffledroaroftheloomroomcametohisears，andhesmiled。Itwasagentle，placidsmile。Hehatednoone，noteventhepounding，shriekingmachines。Therewasnobitternessinhim，nothingbutaninordinatehungerforrest。
　　Thehousesandfactoriesthinnedoutandtheopenspacesincreasedasheapproachedthecountry。Atlastthecitywasbehindhim，andhewaswalkingdownaleafylanebesidetherailroadtrack。Hedidnotwalklikeaman。Hedidnotlooklikeaman。Hewasatravestyofthehuman。Itwasatwistedandstuntedandnamelesspieceoflifethatshambledlikeasicklyape，armsloose-hanging，stoop-shouldered，narrow-chested，grotesqueandterrible。
　　Hepassedbyasmallrailroadstationandlaydowninthegrassunderatree。Allafternoonhelaythere。Sometimeshedozed，withmusclesthattwitchedinhissleep。Whenawake，helaywithoutmovement，watchingthebirdsorlookingupattheskythroughthebranchesofthetreeabovehim。
　　Onceortwicehelaughedaloud，butwithoutrelevancetoanythinghehadseenorfelt。
　　Aftertwilighthadgone，inthefirstdarknessofthenight，afreighttrainrumbledintothestation。Whentheenginewasswitchingcarsontotheside-track，Johnnycreptalongthesideofthetrain。Hepulledopentheside-doorofanemptybox-carandawkwardlyandlaboriouslyclimbedin。
　　Heclosedthedoor。Theenginewhistled。Johnnywaslyingdown，andinthedarknesshesmiled。
　　AWICKEDWOMAN
　　ItwasbecauseshehadbrokenwithBillythatLorettahadcomevisitingtoSantaClara。Billycouldnotunderstand。Hissisterhadreportedthathehadwalkedthefloorandcriedallnight。Lorettahadnotsleptallnighteither，whileshehadweptmostofthenight。Daisyknewthis，becauseitwasinherarmsthattheweepinghadbeendone。AndDaisy'shusband，CaptainKitt，knew，too。ThetearsofLoretta，andthecomfortingbyDaisy，hadlosthimsomesleep。
　　NowCaptainKittdidnotliketolosesleep。NeitherdidhewantLorettatomarryBilly——noranybodyelse。ItwasCaptainKitt'sbeliefthatDaisyneededthehelpofheryoungersisterinthehousehold。Buthedidnotsaythisaloud。Instead，healwaysinsistedthatLorettawastooyoungtothinkofmarriage。SoitwasCaptainKitt'sideathatLorettashouldbepackedoffonavisittoMrs。Hemingway。Therewouldn'tbeanyBillythere。
　　BeforeLorettahadbeenatSantaClaraaweek，shewasconvincedthatCaptainKitt'sideawasagoodone。Inthefirstplace，thoughBillywouldn'tbelieveit，shedidnotwanttomarryBilly。Andinthesecondplace，thoughCaptainKittwouldn'tbelieveit，shedidnotwanttoleaveDaisy。BythetimeLorettahadbeenatSantaClaratwoweeks，shewasabsolutelycertainthatshedidnotwanttomarryBilly。ButshewasnotsosureaboutnotwantingtoleaveDaisy。NotthatshelovedDaisyless，butthatshe——haddoubts。
　　ThedayofLoretta'sarrival，anebulousplanbeganshapingitselfinMrs。
　　Hemingway'sbrain。TheseconddaysheremarkedtoJackHemingway，herhusband，thatLorettawassoinnocentayoungthingthatwereitnotforhersweetguilelessnessshewouldbepositivelystupid。Inproofofwhich，Mrs。Hemingwaytoldherhusbandseveralthingsthatmadehimchuckle。BythethirddayMrs。Hemingway'splanhadtakenrecognizableform。Thenitwasthatshecomposedaletter。Ontheenvelopeshewrote:"Mr。EdwardBashford，AthenianClub，SanFrancisco。"
　　"DearNed，"theletterbegan。Shehadoncebeenviolentlylovedbyhimforthreeweeksinherpre-maritaldays。ButshehadcovenantedherselftoJackHemingway，whohadpriorclaims，andherheartaswell；andNedBashfordhadphilosophicallynotbrokenhisheartoverit。Hemerelyaddedtheexperiencetoalargefundofsimilarlycollecteddataoutofwhichhemanufacturedphilosophy。ArtisticallyandtemperamentallyhewasaGreek——
　　atiredGreek。HewasfondofquotingfromNietzsche，intokenthathe，too，hadpassedthroughthelongsicknessthatfollowsupontheardentsearchfortruth；thathetoohademerged，tooexperienced，tooshrewd，tooprofound，everagaintobeafflictedbythemadnessofyouthsintheirloveoftruth。"'Toworshipappearance，'"heoftenquoted；"'tobelieveinforms，intones，inwords，inthewholeOlympusofappearance!'"Thisparticularexcerpthealwaysconcludedwith，"'ThoseGreeksweresuperficial——OUTOFPROFUNDITY!'"
　　HewasafairlyyoungGreek，jadedandworn。Womenwerefaithlessandunveracious，heheld——atsuchtimesthathehadrelapsesanddescendedtopessimismfromhiswontedhighphilosophicalcalm。Hedidnotbelieveinthetruthofwomen；but，faithfultohisGermanmaster，hedidnotstripfromthemtheairygauzesthatveiledtheiruntruth。Hewascontenttoacceptthemasappearancesandtomakethebestofit。Hewassuperficial——
　　OUTOFPROFUNDITY。
　　"Jacksaystobesuretosaytoyou，'goodswimming，'"Mrs。Hemingwaywroteinherletter；"andalso'tobringyourfishingdudsalong。'"Mrs。
　　Hemingwaywroteotherthingsintheletter。Shetoldhimthatatlastshewaspreparedtoexhibittohimanabsolutelytrue，unsullied，andinnocentwoman。"Amoreguileless，immaculatebudofwomanhoodneverblushedontheplanet，"wasoneoftheseveralwaysinwhichshephrasedtheinducement。
　　Andtoherhusbandshesaidtriumphantly，"IfIdon'tmarryNedoffthistime——"leavingunstatedtheterriblealternativethatshelackedeithervocabularytoexpressorimaginationtoconceive。
　　Contrarytoallherforebodings，LorettafoundthatshewasnotunhappyatSantaClara。Truly，Billywrotetohereveryday，buthisletterswerelessdistressingthanhispresence。Also，theordealofbeingawayfromDaisywasnotsosevereasshehadexpected。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeshewasnotlostineclipseintheblazeofDaisy'sbrilliantandmaturepersonality。UndersuchfavourablecircumstancesLorettacamerapidlytothefront，whileMrs。Hemingwaymodestlyandshamelesslyretreatedintothebackground。
　　Lorettabegantodiscoverthatshewasnotapaleorbshiningbyreflection。Quiteunconsciouslyshebecameasmallcentreofthings。Whenshewasatthepiano，therewassomeonetoturnthepagesforherandtoexpresspreferencesforcertainsongs。Whenshedroppedherhandkerchief，therewassomeonetopickitup。Andtherewassomeonetoaccompanyherinramblingsandflowergatherings。Also，shelearnedtocastfliesinstillpoolsandbelowsavageriffles，andhownottoentanglesilklinesandgut-leaderswiththeshrubbery。
　　JackHemingwaydidnotcaretoteachbeginners，andfishedmuchbyhimself，ornotatall，thusgivingNedBashfordampletimeinwhichtoconsiderLorettaasanappearance。Assuch，shewasallthathisphilosophydemanded。Herblueeyeshadthedirectgazeofaboy，andoutofhisprofundityhedelightedinthemandforboretoshudderattheduplicityhisphilosophybadehimtobelievelurkedintheirdepths。Shehadthegraceofaslenderflower，thefragilityofcolourandlineoffinechina，inallofwhichhepleasuredgreatly，withoutthoughtoftheLifeForcepalpitatingbeneathandinspiteofBernardShaw——inwhomhebelieved。
　　Lorettaburgeoned。Sheswiftlydevelopedpersonality。ShediscoveredawillofherownandwishesofherownthatwerenoteverlastinglyentwinedwiththewillandthewishesofDaisy。ShewaspettedbyJackHemingway，spoiledbyAliceHemingway，anddevotedlyattendedbyNedBashford。Theyencouragedherwhimsandlaughedatherfollies，whileshedevelopedtheprettylittletyranniesthatarelatentinallprettyanddelicatewomen。
　　HerenvironmentactedasasoporificuponherancientdesirealwaystolivewithDaisy。ThisdesirenolongerproddedherasinthedaysofhercompanionshipwithBilly。ThemoreshesawofBilly，themorecertainshehadbeenthatshecouldnotliveawayfromDaisy。ThemoreshesawofNedBashford，themoresheforgotherpressingneedofDaisy。
　　NedBashfordlikewisedidsomeforgetting。Heconfusedsuperficialitywithprofundity，andentangledappearancewithrealityuntilheaccountedthemone。Lorettawasdifferentfromotherwomen。Therewasnomasqueradeabouther。Shewasreal。HesaidasmuchtoMrs。Hemingway，andmore，whoagreedwithhimandatthesametimecaughtherhusband'seyeliddroopingdownforthemomentinanunmistakablewink。
　　ItwasatthistimethatLorettareceivedaletterfromBillythatwassomewhatdifferentfromhisothers。Inthemain，likeallhisletters，itwaspathological。Itwasalongrecitalofsymptomsandsufferings，hisnervousness，hissleeplessness，andthestateofhisheart。Thenfollowedreproaches，suchashehadnevermadebefore。Theyweresharpenoughtomakeherweep，andtrueenoughtoputtragedyintoherface。Thistragedyshecarrieddowntothebreakfasttable。ItmadeJackandMrs。Hemingwayspeculative，anditworriedNed。Theyglancedtohimforexplanation，butheshookhishead。
　　"I'llfindoutto-night，"Mrs。Hemingwaysaidtoherhusband。
　　ButNedcaughtLorettaintheafternooninthebigliving-room。Shetriedtoturnaway。Hecaughtherhands，andshefacedhimwithwetlashesandtremblinglips。Helookedather，silentlyandkindly。Thelashesgrewwetter。
　　"There，there，don'tcry，littleone，"hesaidsoothingly。
　　Heputhisarmprotectinglyaroundhershoulder。Andtohisshoulder，likeatiredchild，sheturnedherface。HethrilledinwaysunusualforaGreekwhohasrecoveredfromthelongsickness。
　　"Oh，Ned，"shesobbedonhisshoulder，"ifyouonlyknewhowwickedIam!"
　　Hesmiledindulgently，andbreathedinagreatbreathfreightedwiththefragranceofherhair。Hethoughtofhisworld-experienceofwomen，anddrewanotherlongbreath。Thereseemedtoemanatefromhertheperfectsweetnessofachild——"theauraofawhitesoul，"wasthewayhephrasedittohimself。
　　Thenhenoticedthathersobswereincreasing。
　　"What'sthematter，littleone？"heaskedpettinglyandalmostpaternally。
　　"HasJackbeenbullyingyou？Orhasyourdearlybelovedsisterfailedtowrite？"
　　Shedidnotanswer，andhefeltthathereallymustkissherhair，thathecouldnotberesponsibleifthesituationcontinuedmuchlonger。
　　"Tellme，"hesaidgently，"andwe'llseewhatIcando。"
　　"Ican't。Youwilldespiseme——Oh，Ned，Iamsoashamed!"
　　Helaughedincredulously，andlightlytouchedherhairwithhislips——solightlythatshedidnotknow。
　　"Dearlittleone，letusforgetallaboutit，whateveritis。IwanttotellyouhowIlove——"
　　Sheutteredasharpcrythatwasalldelight，andthenmoaned——
　　"Toolate!"
　　"Toolate？"heechoedinsurprise。
　　"Oh，whydidI？WhydidI？"shewasmoaning。
　　Hewasawareofaswiftchillathisheart。
　　"What？"heasked。
　　"Oh，I……he……Billy。
　　"Iamsuchawickedwoman，Ned。Iknowyouwillneverspeaktomeagain。"
　　"This——er——thisBilly，"hebeganhaltingly。"Heisyourbrother？"
　　"No……he……Ididn'tknow。Iwassoyoung。Icouldnothelpit。
　　Oh，Ishallgomad!Ishallgomad!"
　　ItwasthenthatLorettafelthisshoulderandtheencirclingarmbecomelimp。Hedrewawayfromhergently，andgentlyhedepositedherinabigchair，wheresheburiedherfaceandsobbedafresh。Hetwistedhismoustachefiercely，thendrewupanotherchairandsatdown。
　　"I——Idonotunderstand，"hesaid。
　　"Iamsounhappy，"shewailed。
　　"Whyunhappy？"
　　"Because……he……hewantsmetomarryhim。"
　　Hisfaceclearedontheinstant，andheplacedahandsoothinglyonhers。
　　"Thatshouldnotmakeanygirlunhappy，"heremarkedsagely。"Becauseyoudon'tlovehimisnoreason——ofcourse，youdon'tlovehim？"
　　Lorettashookherheadandshouldersinavigorousnegative。
　　"What？"
　　Bashfordwantedtomakesure。
　　"No，"sheassertedexplosively。"Idon'tloveBilly!Idon'twanttoloveBilly!"
　　"Becauseyoudon'tlovehim，"Bashfordresumedwithconfidence，"isnoreasonthatyoushouldbeunhappyjustbecausehehasproposedtoyou。"
　　Shesobbedagain，andfromthemidstofhersobsshecried——
　　"That'sthetrouble。IwishIdidlovehim。Oh，IwishIweredead!"
　　"Now，mydearchild，youareworryingyourselfovertrifles。"Hisotherhandcrossedoverafteritsmateandrestedonhers。"Womendoiteveryday。Becauseyouhavechangedyourmindordidnotknowyourmind，becauseyouhave——touseanunnecessarilyharshword——jiltedaman——"
　　"Jilted!"Shehadraisedherheadandwaslookingathimwithtear-dimmedeyes。"Oh，Ned，ifthatwereall!"
　　"All？"heaskedinahollowvoice，whilehishandsslowlyretreatedfromhers。Hewasabouttospeakfurther，thenremainedsilent。
　　"ButIdon'twanttomarryhim，"Lorettabrokeforthprotestingly。
　　"ThenIshouldn't，"hecounselled。
　　"ButIoughttomarryhim。"
　　"OUGHTtomarryhim？"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Thatisastrongword。"
　　"Iknowitis，"sheacquiesced，whileshestrovetocontrolhertremblinglips。Thenshespokemorecalmly。"Iamawickedwoman，aterriblywickedwoman。NooneknowshowwickedIam——exceptBilly。"
　　Therewasapause。NedBashford'sfacewasgrave，andhelookedqueerlyatLoretta。
　　"He——Billyknows？"heaskedfinally。
　　Areluctantnodandflamingcheekswasthereply。
　　Hedebatedwithhimselfforawhile，seeming，likeadiver，tobepreparinghimselffortheplunge。
　　"Tellmeaboutit。"Hespokeveryfirmly。"Youmusttellmeallofit。"
　　"Andwillyou——ever——forgiveme？"sheaskedinafaint，smallvoice。
　　Hehesitated，drewalongbreath，andmadetheplunge。
　　"Yes，"hesaiddesperately。"I'llforgiveyou。Goahead。"
　　"Therewasnoonetotellme，"shebegan。"Wewerewitheachothersomuch。Ididnotknowanythingoftheworld——then。"
　　Shepausedtomeditate。Bashfordwasbitinghislipimpatiently。
　　"IfIhadonlyknown——"
　　Shepausedagain。
　　"Yes，goon，"heurged。
　　"Weweretogetheralmosteveryevening。"
　　"Billy？"hedemanded，withasavagenessthatstartledher。
　　"Yes，ofcourse，Billy。Wewerewitheachothersomuch……IfIhadonlyknown……Therewasnoonetotellme……Iwassoyoung——"
　　Herlipspartedasthoughtospeakfurther，andsheregardedhimanxiously。
　　"Thescoundrel!"
　　WiththeexplosionNedBashfordwasonhisfeet，nolongeratiredGreek，butaviolentlyangryyoungman。
　　"Billyisnotascoundrel；heisagoodman，"Lorettadefended，withafirmnessthatsurprisedBashford。
　　"Isupposeyou'llbetellingmenextthatitwasallyourfault，"hesaidsarcastically。
　　Shenodded。
　　"What？"heshouted。
　　"Itwasallmyfault，"shesaidsteadily。"Ishouldneverhavelethim。I
　　wastoblame。"
　　Bashfordceasedfromhispacingupanddown，andwhenhespoke，hisvoicewasresigned。
　　"Allright，"hesaid。"Idon'tblameyouintheleast，Loretta。Andyouhavebeenveryhonest。ButBillyisright，andyouarewrong。Youmustgetmarried。"
　　"ToBilly？"sheasked，inadim，far-awayvoice。
　　"Yes，toBilly。I'llseetoit。Wheredoeshelive？I'llmakehim。"
　　"ButIdon'twanttomarryBilly!"shecriedoutinalarm。"Oh，Ned，youwon'tdothat？"
　　"Ishall，"heansweredsternly。"Youmust。AndBillymust。Doyouunderstand？"
　　Lorettaburiedherfaceinthecushionedchairback，andbrokeintoapassionatestormofsobs。
　　AllthatBashfordcouldmakeoutatfirst，ashelistened，was:"ButI
　　don'twanttoleaveDaisy!Idon'twanttoleaveDaisy!"
　　Hepacedgrimlybackandforth，thenstoppedcuriouslytolisten。
　　"HowwasItoknow？——Boo——hoo，"Lorettawascrying。"Hedidn'ttellme。
　　Nobodyelseeverkissedme。Ineverdreamedakisscouldbesoterrible……until，boo-hoo……untilhewrotetome。Ionlygottheletterthismorning。"
　　Hisfacebrightened。Itseemedasthoughlightwasdawningonhim。
　　"Isthatwhatyou'recryingabout？"
　　"N——no。"
　　Hisheartsank。
　　"Thenwhatareyoucryingabout？"heaskedinahopelessvoice。
　　"BecauseyousaidIhadtomarryBilly。AndIdon'twanttomarryBilly。
　　Idon'twanttoleaveDaisy。Idon'tknowwhatIwant。IwishIweredead。"
　　Henervedhimselfforanothereffort。
　　"Nowlookhere，Loretta，besensible。Whatisthisaboutkisses。Youhaven'ttoldmeeverything？"
　　"I——Idon'twanttotellyoueverything。"
　　Shelookedathimbeseechinglyinthesilencethatfell。
　　"MustI？"shequaveredfinally。
　　"Youmust，"hesaidimperatively。"Youmusttellmeeverything。"
　　"Well，then……mustI？"
　　"Youmust。"
　　"He……I……we……"shebeganflounderingly。Thenblurtedout，"I
　　lethim，andhekissedme。"
　　"Goon，"Bashfordcommandeddesperately。
　　"That'sall，"sheanswered。
　　"All？"Therewasavastincredulityinhisvoice。
　　"All？"Inhervoicewasaninterrogationnolessvast。
　　"Imean——er——nothingworse？"Hewasoverwhelminglyawareofhisownawkwardness。
　　"Worse？"Shewasfranklypuzzled。"Asthoughtherecouldbe!Billysaid——
　　"
　　"Whendidhesayit？"Bashforddemandedabruptly。
　　"InhisletterIgotthismorning。Billysaidthatmy……our……ourkisseswereterribleifwedidn'tgetmarried。"
　　Bashford'sheadwasswimming。
　　"WhatelsedidBillysay？"heasked。
　　"Hesaidthatwhenawomanallowedamantokissher，shealwaysmarriedhim——thatitwasterribleifshedidn't。Itwasthecustom，hesaid；andI
　　sayitisabad，wickedcustom，andIdon'tlikeit。IknowI'mterrible，"
　　sheaddeddefiantly，"butIcan'thelpit。"
　　Bashfordabsent-mindedlybroughtoutacigarette。
　　"DoyoumindifIsmoke？"heasked，ashestruckamatch。
　　Thenhecametohimself。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"hecried，flingingawaymatchandcigarette。"Idon'twanttosmoke。Ididn'tmeanthatatall。WhatImeanis——"
　　HebentoverLoretta，caughtherhandsinhis，thensatonthearmofthechairandsoftlyputonearmaroundher。
　　"Loretta，Iamafool。Imeanit。AndImeansomethingmore。Iwantyoutobemywife。"
　　Hewaitedanxiouslyinthepausethatfollowed。
　　"Youmightanswerme，"heurged。
　　"Iwill……if——"
　　"Yes，goon。Ifwhat？"
　　"IfIdon'thavetomarryBilly。"
　　"Youcan'tmarrybothofus，"healmostshouted。
　　"Anditisn'tthecustom……what……whatBillysaid？"
　　"No，itisn'tthecustom。Now，Loretta，willyoumarryme？"
　　"Don'tbeangrywithme，"shepouteddemurely。
　　Hegatheredherintohisarmsandkissedher。
　　"Iwishitwerethecustom，"shesaidinafaintvoice，fromthemidstoftheembrace，"becausethenI'dhavetomarryyou，Neddear……wouldn'tI？"
　　JUSTMEAT
　　Hestrolledtothecornerandglancedupanddowntheintersectingstreet，butsawnothingsavetheoasesoflightshedbythestreetlampsatthesuccessivecrossings。Thenhestrolledbackthewayhehadcome。Hewasashadowofaman，slidingnoiselesslyandwithoutunduemovementthroughthesemi-darkness。Alsohewasveryalert，likeawildanimalinthejungle，keenlyperceptiveandreceptive。Themovementofanotherinthedarknessabouthimwouldneedtohavebeenmoreshadowythanhetohaveescapedhim。
　　Inadditiontotherunningadvertisementofthestateofaffairscarriedtohimbyhissenses，hehadasubtlerperception，aFEEL，oftheatmospherearoundhim。Heknewthatthehouseinfrontofwhichhepausedforamoment，containedchildren。Yetbynowilledeffortofperceptiondidhehavethisknowledge。Forthatmatter，hewasnotevenawarethatheknew，sooccultwastheimpression。Yet，didamomentariseinwhichaction，inrelationtothathouse，wereimperative，hewouldhaveactedontheassumptionthatitcontainedchildren。Hewasnotawareofallthatheknewabouttheneighbourhood。
　　Inthesameway，heknewnothow，heknewthatnodangerthreatenedinthefootfallsthatcameupthecrossstreet。Beforehesawthewalker，heknewhimforabelatedpedestrianhurryinghome。Thewalkercameintoviewatthecrossinganddisappearedonupthestreet。Themanthatwatched，notedalightthatflaredupinthewindowofahouseonthecorner，andasitdieddownheknewitforanexpiringmatch。Thiswasconsciousidentificationoffamiliarphenomena，andthroughhismindflittedthethought，"Wantedtoknowwhattime。"Inanotherhouseoneroomwaslighted。Thelightburneddimlyandsteadily，andhehadthefeelthatitwasasick-room。
　　Hewasespeciallyinterestedinahouseacrossthestreetinthemiddleoftheblock。Tothishousehepaidmostattention。Nomatterwhatwayhelooked，norwhatwayhewalked，hislooksandhisstepsalwaysreturnedtoit。Exceptforanopenwindowabovetheporch，therewasnothingunusualaboutthehouse。Nothingcameinnorout。Nothinghappened。Therewerenolightedwindows，norhadlightsappearedanddisappearedinanyofthewindows。Yetitwasthecentralpointofhisconsideration。Heralliedtoiteachtimeafteradivinationofthestateoftheneighbourhood。
　　Despitehisfeelofthings，hewasnotconfident。Hewassupremelyconsciousoftheprecariousnessofhissituation。Thoughunperturbedbythefootfallsofthechancepedestrian，hewasaskeyedupandsensitiveandreadytobestartledasanytimorousdeer。Hewasawareofthepossibilityofotherintelligencesprowlingaboutinthedarkness——
　　intelligencessimilartohisowninmovement，perception，anddivination。
　　Fardownthestreethecaughtaglimpseofsomethingthatmoved。Andheknewitwasnolatehome-goer，butmenaceanddanger。Hewhistledtwicetothehouseacrossthestreet，thenfadedawayshadow-liketothecornerandaroundthecorner。Herehepausedandlookedabouthimcarefully。
　　Reassured，hepeeredbackaroundthecornerandstudiedtheobjectthatmovedandthatwascomingnearer。Hehaddivinedaright。Itwasapoliceman。
　　Themanwentdownthecrossstreettothenextcorner，fromtheshelterofwhichhewatchedthecornerhehadjustleft。Hesawthepolicemanpassby，goingstraightonupthestreet。Heparalleledthepoliceman'scourse，andfromthenextcorneragainwatchedhimgoby；thenhereturnedthewayhehadcome。Hewhistledoncetothehouseacrossthestreet，andafteratimewhistledonceagain。Therewasreassuranceinthewhistle，justastherehadbeenwarninginthepreviousdoublewhistle。
　　Hesawadarkbulkoutlineitselfontheroofoftheporchandslowlydescendapillar。Thenitcamedownthesteps，passedthroughthesmallirongate，andwentdownthesidewalk，takingontheformofaman。Hethatwatchedkeptonhisownsideofthestreetandmovedonabreasttothecorner，wherehecrossedoverandjoinedtheother。Hewasquitesmallalongsidethemanheaccosted。
　　"How'dyoumakeout，Matt？"heasked。
　　Theothergruntedindistinctly，andwalkedoninsilenceafewsteps。
　　"IreckonIlandedthegoods，"hesaid。
　　Jimchuckledinthedarkness，andwaitedforfurtherinformation。Theblockspassedbyundertheirfeet，andhegrewimpatient。
　　"Well，howaboutthemgoods？"heasked。"Whatkindofahauldidyoumake，anyway？"
　　"Iwastoobusytofiggeritout，butit'sfat。Icantellyouthatmuch，Jim，it'sfat。Idon'tdasttothinkhowfatitis。Waittillwegettotheroom。"
　　Jimlookedathimkeenlyunderthestreetlampofthenextcrossing，andsawthathisfacewasatriflegrimandthathecarriedhisleftarmpeculiarly。
　　"What'sthematterwithyourarm？"hedemanded。
　　"Thelittlecussbitme。HopeIdon'tgethydrophoby。Folksgetshydrophobyfrommanbitesometimes，don'tthey？"
　　"Gaveyoufight，eh？"Jimaskedencouragingly。
　　Theothergrunted。
　　"You'reharder'nhelltogetinformationfrom，"Jimburstoutirritably。
　　"Tellusaboutit。Youain'tgoin'tolosemoneyjusta-tellin'aguy。"
　　"IguessIchokedhimsome，"cametheanswer。Then，bywayofexplanation，"Hewokeuponme。"
　　"Youdiditneat。Ineverheardasound。"
　　"Jim，"theothersaidwithseriousness，"it'sahangin'matter。Ifixed'm。Ihadto。Hewokeuponme。Youan'me'sgottodosomelayin'lowforaspell。"
　　Jimgavealowwhistleofcomprehension。
　　"Didyouhearmewhistle？"heaskedsuddenly。
　　"Sure。Iwasalldone。Iwasjustcomin'out。"
　　"Itwasabull。Buthewasn'tonalittlebit。Wentrightbyan'kepta-
　　paddin'thehoofoutasight。ThenIcomebackan'gaveyouthewhistle。
　　Whatmadeyoutakesolongafterthat？"
　　"Iwaswaitin'tomakesure，"Mattexplained。"IwasmightygladwhenI
　　heardyouwhistleagain。It'shardworkwaitin'。Ijustsattherean'
　　thoughtan'thought……oh，allkinds'ofthings。It'sremarkablewhatafellow'llthinkabout。Andthentherewasadarncatthatkeptmovin'
　　aroundthehouseall'botherin'mewithitsnoises。"
　　"An'it'sfat!"Jimexclaimedirrelevantlyandwithjoy。
　　"I'msuretellin'you，Jim，it'sfat。I'mplum'anxiousforanotherlookat'em。"
　　Unconsciouslythetwomenquickenedtheirpace。Yettheydidnotrelaxfromtheircaution。Twicetheychangedtheircourseinordertoavoidpolicemen，andtheymadeverysurethattheywerenotobservedwhentheydivedintothedarkhallwayofacheaproominghousedowntown。
　　Notuntiltheyhadgainedtheirownroomonthetopfloor，didtheyscratchamatch。WhileJimlightedalamp，Mattlockedthedoorandthrewtheboltsintoplace。Asheturned，henoticedthathispartnerwaswaitingexpectantly。Mattsmiledtohimselfattheother'seagerness。
　　"Themsearch-lightsisallright，"hesaid，drawingforthasmallpocketelectriclampandexaminingit。"Butwegottogetanewbattery。It'srunnin'prettyweak。Ithoughtonceortwiceit'dleavemeinthedark。
　　Funnyarrangementsinthathouse。Ineargotlost。Hisroomwasontheleft，an'thatfooledmesome。"
　　"Itoldyouitwasontheleft，"Jiminterrupted。
　　"Youtoldmeitwasontheright，"Mattwenton。"IguessIknowwhatyoutoldme，an'there'sthemapyoudrew。"
　　Fumblinginhisvestpocket，hedrewoutafoldedslipofpaper。Asheunfoldedit，Jimbentoverandlooked。
　　"Ididmakeamistake，"heconfessed。
　　"Yousuredid。Itgotmeguessin'someforawhile。"
　　"Butitdon'tmatternow，"Jimcried。"Let'sseewhatyougot。"
　　"Itdoesmatter，"Mattretorted。"Itmattersalot……tome。I'vegottorunalltherisk。Iputmyheadinthetrapwhileyoustayonthestreet。Yougottogetontoyourselfan'bemorecareful。Allright，I'llshowyou。"
　　Hedippedlooselyintohistrouserspocketandbroughtoutahandfulofsmalldiamonds。Hespilledthemoutinablazingstreamonthegreasytable。Jimletoutagreatoath。
　　"That'snothing，"Mattsaidwithtriumphantcomplacence。"Iain'tbegunyet。"
　　Fromonepocketafteranotherhecontinuedbringingforththespoil。Thereweremanydiamondswrappedinchamoisskinthatwerelargerthanthoseinthefirsthandful。Fromonepockethebroughtoutahandfulofverysmallcutgems。
　　"Sundust，"heremarked，ashespilledthemonthetableinaspacebythemselves。
　　Jimexaminedthem。
　　"Justthesame，theyretailforacoupleofdollarseach，"hesaid。"Isthatall？"
　　"Ain'titenough？"theotherdemandedinanaggrievedtone。
　　"Sureitis，"Jimansweredwithunqualifiedapproval。"Better'nI
　　expected。Iwouldn'ttakeacentlessthantenthousan'forthebunch。"
　　"Tenthousan'，"Mattsneered。"They'reworthtwic'tthat，an'Idon'tknowanythingaboutjoolery，either。Lookatthatbigboy!"
　　Hepickeditoutfromthesparklingheapandhelditneartothelampwiththeairofanexpert，weighingandjudging。
　　"Worthathousan'allbyitslonely，"wasJim'squickerjudgment。
　　"Athousan'yourgrandmother，"wasMatt'sscornfulrejoinder。"Youcouldn'tbuyitforthree。"
　　"Wakemeup!I'mdreamin'!"ThesparkleofthegemswasinJim'seyes，andhebegansortingoutthelargerdiamondsandexaminingthem。"We'rerichmen，Matt——we'llberegularswells。"
　　"It'lltakeyearstogetridof'em，"wasMatt'smorepracticalthought。
　　"Butthinkhowwe'lllive!Nothin'todobutspendthemoneyan'goongettin'ridofem。"
　　Matt'seyeswerebeginningtosparkle，thoughsombrely，ashisphlegmaticnaturewokeup。
　　"ItoldyouIdidn'tdastthinkhowfatitwas，"hemurmuredinalowvoice。
　　"Whatakillin'!Whatakillin'!"wastheother'smoreecstaticutterance。
　　"Ialmostforgot，"Mattsaid，thrustinghishandintohisinsidecoatpocket。
　　Astringoflargepearlsemergedfromwrappingsoftissuepaperandchamoisskin。Jimscarcelyglancedatthem。
　　"They'reworthmoney，"hesaid，andreturnedtothediamonds。
　　Asilencefellonthetwomen。Jimplayedwiththegems，runningthemthroughhisfingers，sortingthemintopiles，andspreadingthemoutflatandwide。Hewasaslender，weazenedman，nervous，irritable，high-strung，andanaemic——atypicalchildofthegutter，withunbeautifultwistedfeatures，small-eyed，withfaceandmouthperpetuallyandfeverishlyhungry，brutishinacat-likeway，stampedtothecorewithdegeneracy。
　　Mattdidnotfingerthediamonds。Hesatwithchinonhandsandelbowsontable，blinkingheavilyattheblazingarray。Hewasineverywayacontrasttotheother。Nocityhadbredhim。Hewasheavy-muscledandhairy，gorilla-likeinstrengthandaspect。Forhimtherewasnounseenworld。Hiseyeswerefullandwideapart，andthereseemedinthemacertainboldbrotherliness。Theyinspiredconfidence。Butacloserinspectionwouldhaveshownthathiseyeswerejustatrifletoofull，justashadetoowideapart。Heexceeded，spilledoverthelimitsofnormality，andhisfeaturestoldliesaboutthemanbeneath。
　　"Thebunchisworthfiftythousan'，"Jimremarkedsuddenly。
　　"Ahundredthousan'，"Mattsaid。
　　Thesilencereturnedandenduredalongtime，tobebrokenagainbyJim。
　　"Whatinhellwashedoin'with'emallatthehouse？——that'swhatIwanttoknow。I'da-thoughthe'dkept'eminthesafedownatthestore。"
　　Matthadjustbeenconsideringthevisionofthethrottledmanashehadlastlookeduponhiminthedimlightoftheelectriclantern；buthedidnotstartatthementionofhim。
　　"There'snotellin'，"heanswered。"Hemighta-bengettin'readytochuckhispardner。Hemighta-pulledoutinthemornin'forpartsunknown，ifwehadn'thappenedalong。Iguessthere'sjustasmanythievesamonghonestmenasthereisamongthieves。Youreadaboutsuchthingsinthepapers，Jim。Pardnersisalwaysknifin'eachother。"
　　Aqueer，nervouslookcameintotheother'seyes。Mattdidnotbetraythathenotedit，thoughhesaid