Dismissingthedrivershetookthereinsinherownhandsanddroveoffattopspeedthroughthestreets。Ifapedestriangotinherwayshedrovestraightaheadandthefrightenedcitizenhadtoes-
　　capeasbesthecould。Tothepeopleofthetownitseemedasthoughshewantedtorunthemdown。
　　Whenshehaddriventhroughseveralstreets，tear-
　　ingaroundcornersandbeatingthehorseswiththewhip，shedroveoffintothecountry。Onthecountryroadsaftershehadgottenoutofsightofthehousessheletthehorsesslowdowntoawalkandherwild，recklessmoodpassed。Shebecamethoughtfulandmutteredwords。Sometimestearscameintohereyes。Andthenwhenshecamebackintotownsheagaindrovefuriouslythroughthequietstreets。Butfortheinfluenceofherhusbandandtherespectheinspiredinpeople'smindsshewouldhavebeenarrestedmorethanoncebythetownmarshal。
　　YoungDavidHardygrewupinthehousewiththiswomanandascanwellbeimaginedtherewasnotmuchjoyinhischildhood。Hewastooyoungthentohaveopinionsofhisownaboutpeople，butattimesitwasdifficultforhimnottohaveverydefiniteopinionsaboutthewomanwhowashismother。Davidwasalwaysaquiet，orderlyboyandforalongtimewasthoughtbythepeopleofWines-
　　burgtobesomethingofadullard。Hiseyeswerebrownandasachildhehadahabitoflookingatthingsandpeoplealongtimewithoutappearingtoseewhathewaslookingat。Whenheheardhismotherspokenofharshlyorwhenheoverheardherberatinghisfather，hewasfrightenedandranawaytohide。Sometimeshecouldnotfindahidingplaceandthatconfusedhim。Turninghisfacetowardatreeorifhewasindoorstowardthewall，heclosedhiseyesandtriednottothinkofanything。Hehadahabitoftalkingaloudtohimself，andearlyinlifeaspiritofquietsadnessoftentookpossessionofhim。
　　OntheoccasionswhenDavidwenttovisithisgrandfatherontheBentleyfarm，hewasaltogethercontentedandhappy。Oftenhewishedthathewouldneverhavetogobacktotownandoncewhenhehadcomehomefromthefarmafteralongvisit，somethinghappenedthathadalastingeffectonhismind。
　　Davidhadcomebackintotownwithoneofthehiredmen。ThemanwasinahurrytogoabouthisownaffairsandlefttheboyattheheadofthestreetinwhichtheHardyhousestood。Itwasearlyduskofafalleveningandtheskywasovercastwithclouds。SomethinghappenedtoDavid。Hecouldnotbeartogointothehousewherehismotherandfatherlived，andonanimpulsehedecidedtorunawayfromhome。Heintendedtogobacktothefarmandtohisgrandfather，butlosthiswayandforhourshewanderedweepingandfrightenedoncountryroads。Itstartedtorainandlightningflashedinthesky。Theboy'simaginationwasex-
　　citedandhefanciedthathecouldseeandhearstrangethingsinthedarkness。Intohismindcametheconvictionthathewaswalkingandrunninginsometerriblevoidwherenoonehadeverbeenbe-
　　fore。Thedarknessabouthimseemedlimitless。Thesoundofthewindblowingintreeswasterrifying。
　　Whenateamofhorsesapproachedalongtheroadinwhichhewalkedhewasfrightenedandclimbedafence。Throughafieldheranuntilhecameintoanotherroadandgettinguponhiskneesfeltofthesoftgroundwithhisfingers。Butforthefigureofhisgrandfather，whomhewasafraidhewouldneverfindinthedarkness，hethoughttheworldmustbealtogetherempty。Whenhiscrieswereheardbyafarmerwhowaswalkinghomefromtownandhewasbroughtbacktohisfather'shouse，hewassotiredandexcitedthathedidnotknowwhatwashappeningtohim。
　　BychanceDavid'sfatherknewthathehaddisap-
　　peared。OnthestreethehadmetthefarmhandfromtheBentleyplaceandknewofhisson'sreturntotown。WhentheboydidnotcomehomeanalarmwassetupandJohnHardywithseveralmenofthetownwenttosearchthecountry。ThereportthatDavidhadbeenkidnappedranaboutthroughthestreetsofWinesburg。Whenhecamehometherewerenolightsinthehouse，buthismotherap-
　　pearedandclutchedhimeagerlyinherarms。Davidthoughtshehadsuddenlybecomeanotherwoman。
　　Hecouldnotbelievethatsodelightfulathinghadhappened。WithherownhandsLouiseHardybathedhistiredyoungbodyandcookedhimfood。Shewouldnotlethimgotobedbut，whenhehadputonhisnightgown，blewoutthelightsandsatdowninachairtoholdhiminherarms。Foranhourthewomansatinthedarknessandheldherboy。Allthetimeshekepttalkinginalowvoice。Davidcouldnotunderstandwhathadsochangedher。Herhabit-
　　uallydissatisfiedfacehadbecome，hethought，themostpeacefulandlovelythinghehadeverseen。
　　Whenhebegantoweepsheheldhimmoreandmoretightly。Onandonwenthervoice。Itwasnotharshorshrillaswhenshetalkedtoherhusband，butwaslikerainfallingontrees。Presentlymenbegancomingtothedoortoreportthathehadnotbeenfound，butshemadehimhideandbesilentuntilshehadsentthemaway。Hethoughtitmustbeagamehismotherandthemenofthetownwereplayingwithhimandlaughedjoyously。Intohismindcamethethoughtthathishavingbeenlostandfrightenedinthedarknesswasanaltogetherunimportantmatter。Hethoughtthathewouldhavebeenwillingtogothroughthefrightfulexperienceathousandtimestobesureoffindingattheendofthelongblackroadathingsolovelyashismotherhadsuddenlybecome。
　　DuringthelastyearsofyoungDavid'sboyhoodhesawhismotherbutseldomandshebecameforhimjustawomanwithwhomhehadoncelived。
　　Stillhecouldnotgetherfigureoutofhismindandashegrewolderitbecamemoredefinite。WhenhewastwelveyearsoldhewenttotheBentleyfarmtolive。OldJessecameintotownandfairlyde-
　　mandedthathebegivenchargeoftheboy。Theoldmanwasexcitedanddeterminedonhavinghisownway。HetalkedtoJohnHardyintheofficeoftheWinesburgSavingsBankandthenthetwomenwenttothehouseonElmStreettotalkwithLouise。
　　Theybothexpectedhertomaketroublebutweremistaken。ShewasveryquietandwhenJessehadexplainedhismissionandhadgoneonatsomelengthabouttheadvantagestocomethroughhavingtheboyoutofdoorsandinthequietatmosphereoftheoldfarmhouse，shenoddedherheadinap-
　　proval。"Itisanatmospherenotcorruptedbymypresence，"shesaidsharply。Hershouldersshookandsheseemedabouttoflyintoafitoftemper。"Itisaplaceforamanchild，althoughitwasneveraplaceforme，"shewenton。"Youneverwantedmethereandofcoursetheairofyourhousedidmenogood。Itwaslikepoisoninmybloodbutitwillbedifferentwithhim。"
　　Louiseturnedandwentoutoftheroom，leavingthetwomentositinembarrassedsilence。Asveryoftenhappenedshelaterstayedinherroomfordays。Evenwhentheboy'sclotheswerepackedandhewastakenawayshedidnotappear。Thelossofhersonmadeasharpbreakinherlifeandsheseemedlessinclinedtoquarrelwithherhusband。
　　JohnHardythoughtithadallturnedoutverywellindeed。
　　AndsoyoungDavidwenttoliveintheBentleyfarmhousewithJesse。Twooftheoldfarmer'ssisterswerealiveandstilllivedinthehouse。TheywereafraidofJesseandrarelyspokewhenhewasabout。
　　Oneofthewomenwhohadbeennotedforherflamingredhairwhenshewasyoungerwasabornmotherandbecametheboy'scaretaker。Everynightwhenhehadgonetobedshewentintohisroomandsatontheflooruntilhefellasleep。Whenhebecamedrowsyshebecameboldandwhisperedthingsthathelaterthoughthemusthavedreamed。
　　Hersoftlowvoicecalledhimendearingnamesandhedreamedthathismotherhadcometohimandthatshehadchangedsothatshewasalwaysasshehadbeenthattimeafterheranaway。Healsogrewboldandreachingouthishandstrokedthefaceofthewomanonthefloorsothatshewasec-
　　staticallyhappy。Everyoneintheoldhousebecamehappyaftertheboywentthere。ThehardinsistentthinginJesseBentleythathadkeptthepeopleinthehousesilentandtimidandthathadneverbeendispelledbythepresenceofthegirlLouisewasap-
　　parentlysweptawaybythecomingoftheboy。ItwasasthoughGodhadrelentedandsentasontotheman。
　　ThemanwhohadproclaimedhimselftheonlytrueservantofGodinallthevalleyofWineCreek，andwhohadwantedGodtosendhimasignofapprovalbywayofasonoutofthewombofKather-
　　ine，begantothinkthatatlasthisprayershadbeenanswered。Althoughhewasatthattimeonlyfifty-
　　fiveyearsoldhelookedseventyandwaswornoutwithmuchthinkingandscheming。Theefforthehadmadetoextendhislandholdingshadbeensuc-
　　cessfulandtherewerefewfarmsinthevalleythatdidnotbelongtohim，butuntilDavidcamehewasabitterlydisappointedman。
　　ThereweretwoinfluencesatworkinJesseBent-
　　leyandallhislifehismindhadbeenabattlegroundfortheseinfluences。Firsttherewastheoldthinginhim。HewantedtobeamanofGodandaleaderamongmenofGod。Hiswalkinginthefieldsandthroughtheforestsatnighthadbroughthimclosetonatureandtherewereforcesinthepassionatelyreligiousmanthatranouttotheforcesinnature。
　　ThedisappointmentthathadcometohimwhenadaughterandnotasonhadbeenborntoKatherinehadfallenuponhimlikeablowstruckbysomeunseenhandandtheblowhadsomewhatsoftenedhisegotism。HestillbelievedthatGodmightatanymomentmakehimselfmanifestoutofthewindsortheclouds，buthenolongerdemandedsuchrecog-
　　nition。Insteadheprayedforit。SometimeshewasaltogetherdoubtfulandthoughtGodhaddesertedtheworld。Heregrettedthefatethathadnotlethimliveinasimplerandsweetertimewhenatthebeckoningofsomestrangecloudintheskymenlefttheirlandsandhousesandwentforthintothewildernesstocreatenewraces。Whileheworkednightanddaytomakehisfarmsmoreproductiveandtoextendhisholdingsofland，heregrettedthathecouldnotusehisownrestlessenergyinthebuildingoftemples，theslayingofunbelieversandingeneralintheworkofglorifyingGod'snameonearth。
　　ThatiswhatJessehungeredforandthenalsohehungeredforsomethingelse。HehadgrownintomaturityinAmericaintheyearsaftertheCivilWarandhe，likeallmenofhistime，hadbeentouchedbythedeepinfluencesthatwereatworkinthecountryduringthoseyearswhenmodemindustrial-
　　ismwasbeingborn。HebegantobuymachinesthatwouldpermithimtodotheworkofthefarmswhileemployingfewermenandhesometimesthoughtthatifhewereayoungermanhewouldgiveupfarmingaltogetherandstartafactoryinWinesburgforthemakingofmachinery。Jesseformedthehabitofreadingnewspapersandmagazines。Heinventedamachineforthemakingoffenceoutofwire。
　　Faintlyherealizedthattheatmosphereofoldtimesandplacesthathehadalwayscultivatedinhisownmindwasstrangeandforeigntothethingthatwasgrowingupinthemindsofothers。Thebeginningofthemostmaterialisticageinthehistoryoftheworld，whenwarswouldbefoughtwithoutpatrio-
　　tism，whenmenwouldforgetGodandonlypayattentiontomoralstandards，whenthewilltopowerwouldreplacethewilltoserveandbeautywouldbewell-nighforgottenintheterribleheadlongrushofmankindtowardtheacquiringofpossessions，wastellingitsstorytoJessethemanofGodasitwastothemenabouthim。Thegreedythinginhimwantedtomakemoneyfasterthanitcouldbemadebytillingtheland。MorethanoncehewentintoWinesburgtotalkwithhisson-in-lawJohnHardyaboutit。"YouareabankerandyouwillhavechancesIneverhad，"hesaidandhiseyesshone。
　　"Iamthinkingaboutitallthetime。BigthingsaregoingtobedoneinthecountryandtherewillbemoremoneytobemadethanIeverdreamedof。
　　Yougetintoit。IwishIwereyoungerandhadyourchance。"JesseBentleywalkedupanddowninthebankofficeandgrewmoreandmoreexcitedashetalked。Atonetimeinhislifehehadbeenthreat-
　　enedwithparalysisandhisleftsideremainedsome-
　　whatweakened。Ashetalkedhislefteyelidtwitched。
　　LaterwhenhedrovebackhomeandwhennightcameonandthestarscameoutitwashardertogetbacktheoldfeelingofacloseandpersonalGodwholivedintheskyoverheadandwhomightatanymomentreachouthishand，touchhimontheshoulder，andappointforhimsomeheroictasktobedone。Jesse'smindwasfixeduponthethingsreadinnewspapersandmagazines，onfortunestobemadealmostwithouteffortbyshrewdmenwhoboughtandsold。ForhimthecomingoftheboyDaviddidmuchtobringbackwithrenewedforcetheoldfaithanditseemedtohimthatGodhadatlastlookedwithfavoruponhim。
　　Asfortheboyonthefarm，lifebegantorevealitselftohiminathousandnewanddelightfulways。
　　Thekindlyattitudeofallabouthimexpandedhisquietnatureandhelostthehalftimid，hesitatingmannerhehadalwayshadwithhispeople。Atnightwhenhewenttobedafteralongdayofadventuresinthestables，inthefields，ordrivingaboutfromfarmtofarmwithhisgrandfather，hewantedtoembraceeveryoneinthehouse。IfSherleyBentley，thewomanwhocameeachnighttositonthefloorbyhisbedside，didnotappearatonce，hewenttotheheadofthestairsandshouted，hisyoungvoiceringingthroughthenarrowhallswhereforsolongtherehadbeenatraditionofsilence。Inthemorningwhenheawokeandlaystillinbed，thesoundsthatcameintohimthroughthewindowsfilledhimwithdelight。HethoughtwithashudderofthelifeinthehouseinWinesburgandofhismother'sangryvoicethathadalwaysmadehimtremble。Thereinthecountryallsoundswerepleasantsounds。Whenheawokeatdawnthebarnyardbackofthehousealsoawoke。Inthehousepeoplestirredabout。ElizaStoughtonthehalf-wittedgirlwaspokedintheribsbyafarmhandandgigglednoisily，insomedistantfieldacowbawledandwasansweredbythecattleinthestables，andoneofthefarmhandsspokesharplytothehorsehewasgroomingbythestabledoor。Davidleapedoutofbedandrantoawindow。
　　Allofthepeoplestirringaboutexcitedhismind，andhewonderedwhathismotherwasdoinginthehouseintown。
　　Fromthewindowsofhisownroomhecouldnotseedirectlyintothebarnyardwherethefarmhandshadnowallassembledtodothemorningshores，buthecouldhearthevoicesofthemenandtheneighingofthehorses。Whenoneofthemenlaughed，helaughedalso。Leaningoutattheopenwindow，helookedintoanorchardwhereafatsowwanderedaboutwithalitteroftinypigsatherheels。Everymorninghecountedthepigs。"Four，five，six，seven，"hesaidslowly，wettinghisfingerandmakingstraightupanddownmarksonthewindowledge。Davidrantoputonhistrousersandshirt。Afeverishdesiretogetoutofdoorstookpos-
　　sessionofhim。EverymorninghemadesuchanoisecomingdownstairsthatAuntCallie，thehouse-
　　keeper，declaredhewastryingtotearthehousedown。Whenhehadrunthroughthelongoldhouse，shuttingthedoorsbehindhimwithabang，hecameintothebarnyardandlookedaboutwithanamazedairofexpectancy。Itseemedtohimthatinsuchaplacetremendousthingsmighthavehap-
　　penedduringthenight。Thefarmhandslookedathimandlaughed。HenryStrader，anoldmanwhohadbeenonthefarmsinceJessecameintoposses-
　　sionandwhobeforeDavid'stimehadneverbeenknowntomakeajoke，madethesamejokeeverymorning。ItamusedDavidsothathelaughedandclappedhishands。"See，comehereandlook，"criedtheoldman。"GrandfatherJesse'swhitemarehastomtheblackstockingshewearsonherfoot。"
　　Dayafterdaythroughthelongsummer，JesseBentleydrovefromfarmtofarmupanddownthevalleyofWineCreek，andhisgrandsonwentwithhim。Theyrodeinacomfortableoldphaetondrawnbythewhitehorse。Theoldmanscratchedhisthinwhitebeardandtalkedtohimselfofhisplansforincreasingtheproductivenessofthefieldstheyvis-
　　itedandofGod'spartintheplansallmenmade。
　　SometimeshelookedatDavidandsmiledhappilyandthenforalongtimeheappearedtoforgettheboy'sexistence。Moreandmoreeverydaynowhismindturnedbackagaintothedreamsthathadfilledhismindwhenhehadfirstcomeoutofthecitytoliveontheland。OneafternoonhestartledDavidbylettinghisdreamstakeentirepossessionofhim。
　　Withtheboyasawitness，hewentthroughacere-
　　monyandbroughtaboutanaccidentthatnearlyde-
　　stroyedthecompanionshipthatwasgrowingupbetweenthem。
　　Jesseandhisgrandsonweredrivinginadistantpartofthevalleysomemilesfromhome。AforestcamedowntotheroadandthroughtheforestWineCreekwriggleditswayoverstonestowardadistantriver。AlltheafternoonJessehadbeeninamedita-
　　tivemoodandnowhebegantotalk。Hismindwentbacktothenightwhenhehadbeenfrightenedbythoughtsofagiantthatmightcometorobandplun-
　　derhimofhispossessions，andagainasonthatnightwhenhehadrunthroughthefieldscryingforason，hebecameexcitedtotheedgeofinsanity。
　　StoppingthehorsehegotoutofthebuggyandaskedDavidtogetoutalso。Thetwoclimbedoverafenceandwalkedalongthebankofthestream。
　　Theboypaidnoattentiontothemutteringofhisgrandfather，butranalongbesidehimandwon-
　　deredwhatwasgoingtohappen。Whenarabbitjumpedupandranawaythroughthewoods，heclappedhishandsanddancedwithdelight。Helookedatthetalltreesandwassorrythathewasnotalittleanimaltoclimbhighintheairwithoutbeingfrightened。Stooping，hepickedupasmallstoneandthrewitovertheheadofhisgrandfatherintoaclumpofbushes。"Wakeup，littleanimal。Goandclimbtothetopofthetrees，"heshoutedinashrillvoice。
　　JesseBentleywentalongunderthetreeswithhisheadbowedandwithhismindinaferment。Hisearnestnessaffectedtheboy，whopresentlybecamesilentandalittlealarmed。Intotheoldman'smindhadcomethenotionthatnowhecouldbringfromGodawordorasignoutofthesky，thatthepres-
　　enceoftheboyandmanontheirkneesinsomelonelyspotintheforestwouldmakethemiraclehehadbeenwaitingforalmostinevitable。"ItwasinjustsuchaplaceasthisthatotherDavidtendedthesheepwhenhisfathercameandtoldhimtogodownuntoSaul，"hemuttered。
　　Takingtheboyratherroughlybytheshoulder，heclimbedoverafallenlogandwhenhehadcometoanopenplaceamongthetreeshedroppeduponhiskneesandbegantoprayinaloudvoice。
　　AkindofterrorhehadneverknownbeforetookpossessionofDavid。Crouchingbeneathatreehewatchedthemanonthegroundbeforehimandhisownkneesbegantotremble。Itseemedtohimthathewasinthepresencenotonlyofhisgrandfatherbutofsomeoneelse，someonewhomighthurthim，someonewhowasnotkindlybutdangerousandbrutal。Hebegantocryandreachingdownpickedupasmallstick，whichheheldtightlygrippedinhisfingers。WhenJesseBentley，absorbedinhisownidea，suddenlyaroseandadvancedtowardhim，histerrorgrewuntilhiswholebodyshook。Inthewoodsanintensesilenceseemedtolieoverevery-
　　thingandsuddenlyoutofthesilencecametheoldman'sharshandinsistentvoice。Grippingtheboy'sshoulders，Jesseturnedhisfacetotheskyandshouted。Thewholeleftsideofhisfacetwitchedandhishandontheboy'sshouldertwitchedalso。
　　"Makeasigntome，God，"hecried。"HereIstandwiththeboyDavid。ComedowntomeoutoftheskyandmakeThypresenceknowntome。"
　　Withacryoffear，Davidturnedand，shakinghimselfloosefromthehandsthatheldhim，ranawaythroughtheforest。Hedidnotbelievethatthemanwhoturneduphisfaceandinaharshvoiceshoutedattheskywashisgrandfatheratall。Themandidnotlooklikehisgrandfather。Theconvic-
　　tionthatsomethingstrangeandterriblehadhap-
　　pened，thatbysomemiracleanewanddangerouspersonhadcomeintothebodyofthekindlyoldman，tookpossessionofhim。Onandonherandownthehillside，sobbingasheran。Whenhefellovertherootsofatreeandinfallingstruckhishead，hearoseandtriedtorunonagain。Hisheadhurtsothatpresentlyhefelldownandlaystill，butitwasonlyafterJessehadcarriedhimtothebuggyandheawoketofindtheoldman'shandstrokinghisheadtenderlythattheterrorlefthim。"Takemeaway。Thereisaterriblemanbackthereinthewoods，"hedeclaredfirmly，whileJesselookedawayoverthetopsofthetreesandagainhislipscriedouttoGod。"WhathaveIdonethatThoudostnotapproveofme，"hewhisperedsoftly，sayingthewordsoverandoverashedroverapidlyalongtheroadwiththeboy'scutandbleedingheadheldten-
　　derlyagainsthisshoulder。
　　III
　　SurrenderTHESTORYOFLouiseBentley，whobecameMrs。JohnHardyandlivedwithherhusbandinabrickhouseonElmStreetinWinesburg，isastoryofmis-
　　understanding。
　　BeforesuchwomenasLouisecanbeunderstoodandtheirlivesmadelivable，muchwillhavetobedone。Thoughtfulbookswillhavetobewrittenandthoughtfulliveslivedbypeopleaboutthem。
　　Bornofadelicateandoverworkedmother，andanimpulsive，hard，imaginativefather，whodidnotlookwithfavoruponhercomingintotheworld，Louisewasfromchildhoodaneurotic，oneoftheraceofover-sensitivewomenthatinlaterdaysin-
　　dustrialismwastobringinsuchgreatnumbersintotheworld。
　　DuringherearlyyearsshelivedontheBentleyfarm，asilent，moodychild，wantinglovemorethananythingelseintheworldandnotgettingit。WhenshewasfifteenshewenttoliveinWinesburgwiththefamilyofAlbertHardy，whohadastoreforthesaleofbuggiesandwagons，andwhowasamemberofthetownboardofeducation。
　　LouisewentintotowntobeastudentintheWinesburgHighSchoolandshewenttoliveattheHardys'becauseAlbertHardyandherfatherwerefriends。
　　Hardy，thevehiclemerchantofWinesburg，likethousandsofothermenofhistimes，wasanenthu-
　　siastonthesubjectofeducation。Hehadmadehisownwayintheworldwithoutlearninggotfrombooks，buthewasconvincedthathadhebutknownbooksthingswouldhavegonebetterwithhim。Toeveryonewhocameintohisshophetalkedofthematter，andinhisownhouseholdhedrovehisfam-
　　ilydistractedbyhisconstantharpingonthesubject。
　　Hehadtwodaughtersandoneson，JohnHardy，andmorethanoncethedaughtersthreatenedtoleaveschoolaltogether。Asamatterofprincipletheydidjustenoughworkintheirclassestoavoidpun-
　　ishment。"IhatebooksandIhateanyonewholikesbooks，"Harriet，theyoungerofthetwogirls，de-
　　claredpassionately。
　　InWinesburgasonthefarmLouisewasnothappy。Foryearsshehaddreamedofthetimewhenshecouldgoforthintotheworld，andshelookeduponthemoveintotheHardyhouseholdasagreatstepinthedirectionoffreedom。Alwayswhenshehadthoughtofthematter，ithadseemedtoherthatintownallmustbegaietyandlife，thattheremenandwomenmustlivehappilyandfreely，givingandtakingfriendshipandaffectionasonetakesthefeelofawindonthecheek。AfterthesilenceandthecheerlessnessoflifeintheBentleyhouse，shedreamedofsteppingforthintoanatmospherethatwaswarmandpulsatingwithlifeandreality。AndintheHardyhouseholdLouisemighthavegotsomethingofthethingforwhichshesohungeredbutforamistakeshemadewhenshehadjustcometotown。
　　LouisewonthedisfavorofthetwoHardygirls，MaryandHarriet，byherapplicationtoherstudiesinschool。Shedidnotcometothehouseuntilthedaywhenschoolwastobeginandknewnothingofthefeelingtheyhadinthematter。Shewastimidandduringthefirstmonthmadenoacquaintances。
　　EveryFridayafternoononeofthehiredmenfromthefarmdroveintoWinesburgandtookherhomefortheweek-end，sothatshedidnotspendtheSaturdayholidaywiththetownpeople。Becauseshewasembarrassedandlonelysheworkedconstantlyatherstudies。ToMaryandHarriet，itseemedasthoughshetriedtomaketroubleforthembyherproficiency。InhereagernesstoappearwellLouisewantedtoanswereveryquestionputtotheclassbytheteacher。Shejumpedupanddownandhereyesflashed。Thenwhenshehadansweredsomeques-
　　tiontheothersintheclasshadbeenunabletoan-
　　swer，shesmiledhappily。"See，Ihavedoneitforyou，"hereyesseemedtosay。"Youneednotbotheraboutthematter。Iwillanswerallquestions。ForthewholeclassitwillbeeasywhileIamhere。"
　　IntheeveningaftersupperintheHardyhouse，AlbertHardybegantopraiseLouise。Oneoftheteachershadspokenhighlyofherandhewasde-
　　lighted。"Well，againIhaveheardofit，"hebegan，lookinghardathisdaughtersandthenturningtosmileatLouise。"AnotheroftheteachershastoldmeofthegoodworkLouiseisdoing。EveryoneinWinesburgistellingmehowsmartsheis。Iamashamedthattheydonotspeaksoofmyowngirls。"Arising，themerchantmarchedabouttheroomandlightedhiseveningcigar。
　　Thetwogirlslookedateachotherandshooktheirheadswearily。Seeingtheirindifferencethefatherbecameangry。"Itellyouitissomethingforyoutwotobethinkingabout，"hecried，glaringatthem。
　　"ThereisabigchangecominghereinAmericaandinlearningistheonlyhopeofthecominggenera-
　　tions。Louiseisthedaughterofarichmanbutsheisnotashamedtostudy。Itshouldmakeyouashamedtoseewhatshedoes。"
　　Themerchanttookhishatfromarackbythedoorandpreparedtodepartfortheevening。Atthedoorhestoppedandglaredback。Sofiercewashisman-
　　nerthatLouisewasfrightenedandranupstairstoherownroom。Thedaughtersbegantospeakoftheirownaffairs。"Payattentiontome，"roaredthemerchant。"Yourmindsarelazy。Yourindifferencetoeducationisaffectingyourcharacters。Youwillamounttonothing。NowmarkwhatIsay——Louisewillbesofaraheadofyouthatyouwillnevercatchup。"
　　Thedistractedmanwentoutofthehouseandintothestreetshakingwithwrath。Hewentalongmutteringwordsandswearing，butwhenhegotintoMainStreethisangerpassed。Hestoppedtotalkoftheweatherorthecropswithsomeothermerchantorwithafarmerwhohadcomeintotownandforgothisdaughtersaltogetheror，ifhethoughtofthem，onlyshruggedhisshoulders。"Oh，well，girlswillbegirls，"hemutteredphilosophically。
　　InthehousewhenLouisecamedownintotheroomwherethetwogirlssat，theywouldhavenoth-
　　ingtodowithher。Oneeveningaftershehadbeenthereformorethansixweeksandwasheartbrokenbecauseofthecontinuedairofcoldnesswithwhichshewasalwaysgreeted，sheburstintotears。"Shutupyourcryingandgobacktoyourownroomandtoyourbooks，"MaryHardysaidsharply。
　　***
　　TheroomoccupiedbyLouisewasonthesecondflooroftheHardyhouse，andherwindowlookedoutuponanorchard。TherewasastoveintheroomandeveryeveningyoungJohnHardycarriedupanarmfulofwoodandputitinaboxthatstoodbythewall。Duringthesecondmonthaftershecametothehouse，LouisegaveupallhopeofgettingonafriendlyfootingwiththeHardygirlsandwenttoherownroomassoonastheeveningmealwasatanend。
　　HermindbegantoplaywiththoughtsofmakingfriendswithJohnHardy。Whenhecameintotheroomwiththewoodinhisarms，shepretendedtobebusywithherstudiesbutwatchedhimeagerly。
　　Whenhehadputthewoodintheboxandturnedtogoout，sheputdownherheadandblushed。Shetriedtomaketalkbutcouldsaynothing，andafterhehadgoneshewasangryatherselfforherstupidity。
　　Themindofthecountrygirlbecamefilledwiththeideaofdrawingclosetotheyoungman。Shethoughtthatinhimmightbefoundthequalityshehadallherlifebeenseekinginpeople。Itseemedtoherthatbetweenherselfandalltheotherpeopleintheworld，awallhadbeenbuiltupandthatshewaslivingjustontheedgeofsomewarminnercircleoflifethatmustbequiteopenandunder-
　　standabletoothers。Shebecameobsessedwiththethoughtthatitwantedbutacourageousactonherparttomakeallofherassociationwithpeoplesome-
　　thingquitedifferent，andthatitwaspossiblebysuchanacttopassintoanewlifeasoneopensadoorandgoesintoaroom。Dayandnightshethoughtofthematter，butalthoughthethingshewantedsoearnestlywassomethingverywarmandcloseithadasyetnoconsciousconnectionwithsex。Ithadnotbecomethatdefinite，andhermindhadonlyalighteduponthepersonofJohnHardybecausehewasathandandunlikehissistershadnotbeenun-
　　friendlytoher。
　　TheHardysisters，MaryandHarriet，werebotholderthanLouise。Inacertainkindofknowledgeoftheworldtheywereyearsolder。TheylivedasalloftheyoungwomenofMiddleWesterntownslived。InthosedaysyoungwomendidnotgooutofourtownstoEasterncollegesandideasinregardtosocialclasseshadhardlybeguntoexist。Adaugh-
　　terofalaborerwasinmuchthesamesocialpositionasadaughterofafarmeroramerchant，andtherewerenoleisureclasses。Agirlwas"nice"orshewas"notnice。"Ifanicegirl，shehadayoungmanwhocametoherhousetoseeheronSundayandonWednesdayevenings。Sometimesshewentwithheryoungmantoadanceorachurchsocial。Atothertimesshereceivedhimatthehouseandwasgiventheuseoftheparlorforthatpurpose。Noonein-
　　trudeduponher。Forhoursthetwosatbehindcloseddoors。Sometimesthelightswereturnedlowandtheyoungmanandwomanembraced。Cheeksbecamehotandhairdisarranged。Afterayearortwo，iftheimpulsewithinthembecamestrongandinsistentenough，theymarried。
　　OneeveningduringherfirstwinterinWinesburg，LouisehadanadventurethatgaveanewimpulsetoherdesiretobreakdownthewallthatshethoughtstoodbetweenherandJohnHardy。ItwasWednesdayandimmediatelyaftertheeveningmealAlbertHardyputonhishatandwentaway。YoungJohnbroughtthewoodandputitintheboxinLouise'sroom。"Youdoworkhard，don'tyou？"hesaidawkwardly，andthenbeforeshecouldanswerhealsowentaway。
　　Louiseheardhimgooutofthehouseandhadamaddesiretorunafterhim。Openingherwindowsheleanedoutandcalledsoftly，"John，dearJohn，comeback，don'tgoaway。"Thenightwascloudyandshecouldnotseefarintothedarkness，butasshewaitedshefanciedshecouldhearasoftlittlenoiseasofsomeonegoingontiptoesthroughthetreesintheorchard。Shewasfrightenedandclosedthewindowquickly。Foranhourshemovedabouttheroomtremblingwithexcitementandwhenshecouldnotlongerbearthewaiting，shecreptintothehallanddownthestairsintoacloset-likeroomthatopenedofftheparlor。
　　Louisehaddecidedthatshewouldperformthecourageousactthathadforweeksbeeninhermind。
　　ShewasconvincedthatJohnHardyhadconcealedhimselfintheorchardbeneathherwindowandshewasdeterminedtofindhimandtellhimthatshewantedhimtocomeclosetoher，toholdherinhisarms，totellherofhisthoughtsanddreamsandtolistenwhileshetoldhimherthoughtsanddreams。
　　"Inthedarknessitwillbeeasiertosaythings，"shewhisperedtoherself，asshestoodinthelittleroomgropingforthedoor。
　　AndthensuddenlyLouiserealizedthatshewasnotaloneinthehouse。Intheparlorontheothersideofthedooraman'svoicespokesoftlyandthedooropened。LouisejusthadtimetoconcealherselfinalittleopeningbeneaththestairwaywhenMaryHardy，accompaniedbyheryoungman，cameintothelittledarkroom。
　　ForanhourLouisesatonthefloorinthedarknessandlistened。WithoutwordsMaryHardy，withtheaidofthemanwhohadcometospendtheeveningwithher，broughttothecountrygirlaknowledgeofmenandwomen。Puttingherheaddownuntilshewascurledintoalittleballshelayperfectlystill。
　　Itseemedtoherthatbysomestrangeimpulseofthegods，agreatgifthadbeenbroughttoMaryHardyandshecouldnotunderstandtheolderwom-
　　an'sdeterminedprotest。
　　TheyoungmantookMaryHardyintohisarmsandkissedher。Whenshestruggledandlaughed，hebutheldherthemoretightly。ForanhourthecontestbetweenthemwentonandthentheywentbackintotheparlorandLouiseescapedupthestairs。"Ihopeyouwerequietoutthere。Youmustnotdisturbthelittlemouseatherstudies，"sheheardHarrietsayingtohersisterasshestoodbyherowndoorinthehallwayabove。
　　LouisewroteanotetoJohnHardyandlatethatnight，whenallinthehousewereasleep，shecreptdownstairsandslippeditunderhisdoor。Shewasafraidthatifshedidnotdothethingatoncehercouragewouldfail。Inthenoteshetriedtobequitedefiniteaboutwhatshewanted。"IwantsomeonetolovemeandIwanttolovesomeone，"shewrote。
　　"IfyouaretheoneformeIwantyoutocomeintotheorchardatnightandmakeanoiseundermywindow。Itwillbeeasyformetocrawldownovertheshedandcometoyou。Iamthinkingaboutitallthetime，soifyouaretocomeatallyoumustcomesoon。"
　　ForalongtimeLouisedidnotknowwhatwouldbetheoutcomeofherboldattempttosecureforherselfalover。Inawayshestilldidnotknowwhetherornotshewantedhimtocome。Sometimesitseemedtoherthattobeheldtightlyandkissedwasthewholesecretoflife，andthenanewimpulsecameandshewasterriblyafraid。Theage-oldwom-
　　an'sdesiretobepossessedhadtakenpossessionofher，butsovaguewashernotionoflifethatitseemedtoherjustthetouchofJohnHardy'shanduponherownhandwouldsatisfy。Shewonderedifhewouldunderstandthat。AtthetablenextdaywhileAlbertHardytalkedandthetwogirlswhis-
　　peredandlaughed，shedidnotlookatJohnbutatthetableandassoonaspossibleescaped。Intheeveningshewentoutofthehouseuntilshewassurehehadtakenthewoodtoherroomandgoneaway。Whenafterseveraleveningsofintenselis-
　　teningsheheardnocallfromthedarknessintheorchard，shewashalfbesideherselfwithgriefanddecidedthatforhertherewasnowaytobreakthroughthewallthathadshutherofffromthejoyoflife。
　　AndthenonaMondayeveningtwoorthreeweeksafterthewritingofthenote，JohnHardycameforher。Louisehadsoentirelygivenupthethoughtofhiscomingthatforalongtimeshedidnothearthecallthatcameupfromtheorchard。OntheFridayeveningbefore，asshewasbeingdrivenbacktothefarmfortheweek-endbyoneofthehiredmen，shehadonanimpulsedoneathingthathadstartledher，andasJohnHardystoodinthedarknessbelowandcalledhernamesoftlyandinsis-
　　tently，shewalkedaboutinherroomandwonderedwhatnewimpulsehadledhertocommitsoridicu-
　　lousanact。
　　Thefarmhand，ayoungfellowwithblackcurlyhair，hadcomeforhersomewhatlateonthatFridayeveningandtheydrovehomeinthedarkness。Lou-
　　ise，whosemindwasfilledwiththoughtsofJohnHardy，triedtomaketalkbutthecountryboywasembarrassedandwouldsaynothing。Hermindbegantoreviewthelonelinessofherchildhoodandsherememberedwithapangthesharpnewloneli-
　　nessthathadjustcometoher。"Ihateeveryone，"
　　shecriedsuddenly，andthenbrokeforthintoati-
　　radethatfrightenedherescort。"IhatefatherandtheoldmanHardy，too，"shedeclaredvehemently。
　　"IgetmylessonsthereintheschoolintownbutI
　　hatethatalso。"
　　Louisefrightenedthefarmhandstillmorebyturningandputtinghercheekdownuponhisshoul-
　　der。VaguelyshehopedthathelikethatyoungmanwhohadstoodinthedarknesswithMarywouldputhisarmsaboutherandkissher，butthecountryboywasonlyalarmed。Hestruckthehorsewiththewhipandbegantowhistle。"Theroadisrough，eh？"
　　hesaidloudly。Louisewassoangrythatreachingupshesnatchedhishatfromhisheadandthrewitintotheroad。Whenhejumpedoutofthebuggyandwenttogetit，shedroveoffandlefthimtowalktherestofthewaybacktothefarm。
　　LouiseBentleytookJohnHardytobeherlover。
　　Thatwasnotwhatshewantedbutitwassotheyoungmanhadinterpretedherapproachtohim，andsoanxiouswasshetoachievesomethingelsethatshemadenoresistance。Whenafterafewmonthstheywerebothafraidthatshewasabouttobecomeamother，theywentoneeveningtothecountyseatandweremarried。ForafewmonthstheylivedintheHardyhouseandthentookahouseoftheirown。AllduringthefirstyearLouisetriedtomakeherhusbandunderstandthevagueandin-
　　tangiblehungerthathadledtothewritingofthenoteandthatwasstillunsatisfied。Againandagainshecreptintohisarmsandtriedtotalkofit，butalwayswithoutsuccess。Filledwithhisownnotionsoflovebetweenmenandwomen，hedidnotlistenbutbegantokissheruponthelips。Thatconfusedhersothatintheendshedidnotwanttobekissed。
　　Shedidnotknowwhatshewanted。
　　Whenthealarmthathadtrickedthemintomar-
　　riageprovedtobegroundless，shewasangryandsaidbitter，hurtfulthings。LaterwhenhersonDavidwasborn，shecouldnotnursehimanddidnotknowwhethershewantedhimornot。Sometimesshestayedintheroomwithhimallday，walkingaboutandoccasionallycreepingclosetotouchhimtenderlywithherhands，andthenotherdayscamewhenshedidnotwanttoseeorbenearthetinybitofhumanitythathadcomeintothehouse。WhenJohnHardyreproachedherforhercruelty，shelaughed。"Itisamanchildandwillgetwhatitwantsanyway，"shesaidsharply。"HaditbeenawomanchildthereisnothingintheworldIwouldnothavedoneforit。"
　　IV
　　TerrorWHENDAVIDHARDYwasatallboyoffifteen，he，likehismother，hadanadventurethatchangedthewholecurrentofhislifeandsenthimoutofhisquietcornerintotheworld。Theshellofthecircum-
　　stancesofhislifewasbrokenandhewascompelledtostartforth。HeleftWinesburgandnoonethereeversawhimagain。Afterhisdisappearance，hismotherandgrandfatherbothdiedandhisfatherbe-
　　cameveryrich。Hespentmuchmoneyintryingtolocatehisson，butthatisnopartofthisstory。
　　ItwasinthelatefallofanunusualyearontheBentleyfarms。Everywherethecropshadbeenheavy。Thatspring，JessehadboughtpartofalongstripofblackswamplandthatlayinthevalleyofWineCreek。Hegotthelandatalowpricebuthadspentalargesumofmoneytoimproveit。Greatditcheshadtobedugandthousandsoftilelaid。
　　Neighboringfarmersshooktheirheadsovertheex-
　　pense。SomeofthemlaughedandhopedthatJessewouldloseheavilybytheventure，buttheoldmanwentsilentlyonwiththeworkandsaidnothing。
　　Whenthelandwasdrainedheplantedittocab-
　　bagesandonions，andagaintheneighborslaughed。
　　Thecropwas，however，enormousandbroughthighprices。IntheoneyearJessemadeenoughmoneytopayforallthecostofpreparingthelandandhadasurplusthatenabledhimtobuytwomorefarms。
　　Hewasexultantandcouldnotconcealhisdelight。
　　Forthefirsttimeinallthehistoryofhisownershipofthefarms，hewentamonghismenwithasmilingface。
　　Jesseboughtagreatmanynewmachinesforcut-
　　tingdownthecostoflaborandalloftheremainingacresinthestripofblackfertileswampland。OnedayhewentintoWinesburgandboughtabicycleandanewsuitofclothesforDavidandhegavehistwosistersmoneywithwhichtogotoareligiousconventionatCleveland，Ohio。
　　InthefallofthatyearwhenthefrostcameandthetreesintheforestsalongWineCreekweregoldenbrown，Davidspenteverymomentwhenhedidnothavetoattendschool，outintheopen。
　　Aloneorwithotherboyshewenteveryafternoonintothewoodstogathernuts。Theotherboysofthecountryside，mostofthemsonsoflaborersontheBentleyfarms，hadgunswithwhichtheywenthuntingrabbitsandsquirrels，butDaviddidnotgowiththem。Hemadehimselfaslingwithrubberbandsandaforkedstickandwentoffbyhimselftogathernuts。Ashewentaboutthoughtscametohim。Herealizedthathewasalmostamanandwon-
　　deredwhathewoulddoinlife，butbeforetheycametoanything，thethoughtspassedandhewasaboyagain。Onedayhekilledasquirrelthatsatononeofthelowerbranchesofatreeandchatteredathim。Homeheranwiththesquirrelinhishand。