Oneeveningwhenhewasrecoveringfromalongdebauchthestrangercamereelingalongthemainstreetofthetown。TomHardsatinachairbeforetheNewWillardHousewithhisdaughter，thenachildoffive，onhisknees。BesidehimontheboardsidewalksatyoungGeorgeWillard。Thestrangerdroppedintoachairbesidethem。Hisbodyshookandwhenhetriedtotalkhisvoicetrembled。
　　Itwaslateeveninganddarknesslayoverthetownandovertherailroadthatranalongthefootofalittleinclinebeforethehotel。Somewhereinthedistance，offtothewest，therewasaprolongedblastfromthewhistleofapassengerengine。Adogthathadbeensleepingintheroadwayaroseandbarked。
　　Thestrangerbegantobabbleandmadeaprophecyconcerningthechildthatlayinthearmsoftheagnostic。
　　"Icameheretoquitdrinking，"hesaid，andtearsbegantorundownhischeeks。HedidnotlookatTomHard，butleanedforwardandstaredintothedarknessasthoughseeingavision。"Iranawaytothecountrytobecured，butIamnotcured。Thereisareason。"Heturnedtolookatthechildwhosatupverystraightonherfather'skneeandreturnedthelook。
　　ThestrangertouchedTomHardonthearm。
　　"DrinkisnottheonlythingtowhichIamad-
　　dicted，"hesaid。"Thereissomethingelse。Iamaloverandhavenotfoundmythingtolove。ThatisabigpointifyouknowenoughtorealizewhatI
　　mean。Itmakesmydestructioninevitable，yousee。
　　Therearefewwhounderstandthat。"
　　Thestrangerbecamesilentandseemedovercomewithsadness，butanotherblastfromthewhistleofthepassengerenginearousedhim。"Ihavenotlostfaith。Iproclaimthat。IhaveonlybeenbroughttotheplacewhereIknowmyfaithwillnotbereal-
　　ized，"hedeclaredhoarsely。Helookedhardatthechildandbegantoaddressher，payingnomoreat-
　　tentiontothefather。"Thereisawomancoming，"
　　hesaid，andhisvoicewasnowsharpandearnest。
　　"Ihavemissedher，yousee。Shedidnotcomeinmytime。Youmaybethewoman。Itwouldbelikefatetoletmestandinherpresenceonce，onsuchaneveningasthis，whenIhavedestroyedmyselfwithdrinkandsheisasyetonlyachild。"
　　Theshouldersofthestrangershookviolently，andwhenhetriedtorollacigarettethepaperfellfromhistremblingfingers。Hegrewangryandscolded。
　　"Theythinkit'seasytobeawoman，tobeloved，butIknowbetter，"hedeclared。Againheturnedtothechild。"Iunderstand，"hecried。"PerhapsofallmenIaloneunderstand。"
　　Hisglanceagainwanderedawaytothedarkenedstreet。"Iknowabouther，althoughshehasnevercrossedmypath，"hesaidsoftly。"Iknowaboutherstrugglesandherdefeats。Itisbecauseofherdefeatsthatsheistomethelovelyone。Outofherdefeatshasbeenbornanewqualityinwoman。Ihaveanameforit。IcallitTandy。ImadeupthenamewhenIwasatruedreamerandbeforemybodybecamevile。Itisthequalityofbeingstrongtobeloved。Itissomethingmenneedfromwomenandthattheydonotget。"
　　ThestrangeraroseandstoodbeforeTomHard。
　　Hisbodyrockedbackandforthandheseemedabouttofall，butinsteadhedroppedtohiskneesonthesidewalkandraisedthehandsofthelittlegirltohisdrunkenlips。Hekissedthemecstatically。
　　"BeTandy，littleone，"hepleaded。"Daretobestrongandcourageous。Thatistheroad。Ventureanything。Bebraveenoughtodaretobeloved。Besomethingmorethanmanorwoman。BeTandy。"
　　Thestrangeraroseandstaggeredoffdownthestreet。AdayortwolaterhegotaboardatrainandreturnedtohishomeinCleveland。Onthesummerevening，afterthetalkbeforethehotel，TomHardtookthegirlchildtothehouseofarelativewhereshehadbeeninvitedtospendthenight。Ashewentalonginthedarknessunderthetreesheforgotthebabblingvoiceofthestrangerandhismindreturnedtothemakingofargumentsbywhichhemightde-
　　stroymen'sfaithinGod。Hespokehisdaughter'snameandshebegantoweep。
　　"Idon'twanttobecalledthat，"shedeclared。"I
　　wanttobecalledTandy——TandyHard。"ThechildweptsobitterlythatTomHardwastouchedandtriedtocomforther。Hestoppedbeneathatreeand，takingherintohisarms，begantocaressher。"Begood，now，"hesaidsharply；butshewouldnotbequieted。Withchildishabandonshegaveherselfovertogrief，hervoicebreakingtheeveningstillnessofthestreet。"IwanttobeTandy。IwanttobeTandy。IwanttobeTandyHard，"shecried，shak-
　　ingherheadandsobbingasthoughheryoungstrengthwerenotenoughtobearthevisionthewordsofthedrunkardhadbroughttoher。
　　THESTRENGTHOFGOD
　　THEREVERENDCurtisHartmanwaspastorofthePresbyterianChurchofWinesburg，andhadbeeninthatpositiontenyears。Hewasfortyyearsold，andbyhisnatureverysilentandreticent。Topreach，standinginthepulpitbeforethepeople，wasalwaysahardshipforhimandfromWednesdaymorninguntilSaturdayeveninghethoughtofnothingbutthetwosermonsthatmustbepreachedonSunday。
　　EarlyonSundaymorninghewentintoalittleroomcalledastudyinthebelltowerofthechurchandprayed。Inhisprayerstherewasonenotethatal-
　　wayspredominated。"GivemestrengthandcourageforThywork，OLord!"hepleaded，kneelingonthebarefloorandbowinghisheadinthepresenceofthetaskthatlaybeforehim。
　　TheReverendHartmanwasatallmanwithabrownbeard。Hiswife，astout，nervouswoman，wasthedaughterofamanufacturerofunderwearatCleveland，Ohio。Theministerhimselfwasratherafavoriteinthetown。TheeldersofthechurchlikedhimbecausehewasquietandunpretentiousandMrs。White，thebanker'swife，thoughthimschol-
　　arlyandrefined。
　　ThePresbyterianChurchhelditselfsomewhatalooffromtheotherchurchesofWinesburg。Itwaslargerandmoreimposinganditsministerwasbetterpaid。Heevenhadacarriageofhisownandonsummereveningssometimesdroveabouttownwithhiswife。ThroughMainStreetandupanddownBuckeyeStreethewent，bowinggravelytothepeo-
　　ple，whilehiswife，afirewithsecretpride，lookedathimoutofthecornersofhereyesandworriedlestthehorsebecomefrightenedandrunaway。
　　ForagoodmanyyearsafterhecametoWines-
　　burgthingswentwellwithCurtisHartman。Hewasnotonetoarousekeenenthusiasmamongthewor-
　　shippersinhischurchbutontheotherhandhemadenoenemies。Inrealityhewasmuchinearnestandsometimessufferedprolongedperiodsofre-
　　morsebecausehecouldnotgocryingthewordofGodinthehighwaysandbywaysofthetown。HewonderediftheflameofthespiritreallyburnedinhimanddreamedofadaywhenastrongsweetnewcurrentofpowerwouldcomelikeagreatwindintohisvoiceandhissoulandthepeoplewouldtremblebeforethespiritofGodmademanifestinhim。"I
　　amapoorstickandthatwillneverreallyhappentome，"hemuseddejectedly，andthenapatientsmilelituphisfeatures。"Ohwell，IsupposeI'mdoingwellenough，"headdedphilosophically。
　　Theroominthebelltowerofthechurch，whereonSundaymorningstheministerprayedforanin-
　　creaseinhimofthepowerofGod，hadbutonewindow。Itwaslongandnarrowandswungout-
　　wardonahingelikeadoor。Onthewindow，madeoflittleleadedpanes，wasadesignshowingtheChristlayinghishandupontheheadofachild。
　　OneSundaymorninginthesummerashesatbyhisdeskintheroomwithalargeBibleopenedbe-
　　forehim，andthesheetsofhissermonscatteredabout，theministerwasshockedtosee，intheupperroomofthehousenextdoor，awomanlyinginherbedandsmokingacigarettewhileshereadabook。
　　CurtisHartmanwentontiptoetothewindowandcloseditsoftly。Hewashorrorstrickenatthethoughtofawomansmokingandtrembledalsotothinkthathiseyes，justraisedfromthepagesofthebookofGod，hadlookeduponthebareshouldersandwhitethroatofawoman。Withhisbraininawhirlhewentdownintothepulpitandpreachedalongsermonwithoutoncethinkingofhisgesturesorhisvoice。Thesermonattractedunusualattentionbecauseofitspowerandclearness。"Iwonderifsheislistening，ifmyvoiceiscarryingamessageintohersoul，"hethoughtandbegantohopethatonfutureSundaymorningshemightbeabletosaywordsthatwouldtouchandawakenthewomanapparentlyfargoneinsecretsin。
　　ThehousenextdoortothePresbyterianChurch，throughthewindowsofwhichtheministerhadseenthesightthathadsoupsethim，wasoccupiedbytwowomen。AuntElizabethSwift，agreycompetent-
　　lookingwidowwithmoneyintheWinesburgNa-
　　tionalBank，livedtherewithherdaughterKateSwift，aschoolteacher。Theschoolteacherwasthirtyyearsoldandhadaneattrim-lookingfigure。
　　Shehadfewfriendsandboreareputationofhavingasharptongue。Whenhebegantothinkabouther，CurtisHartmanrememberedthatshehadbeentoEuropeandhadlivedfortwoyearsinNewYorkCity。"Perhapsafterallhersmokingmeansnoth-
　　ing，"hethought。Hebegantorememberthatwhenhewasastudentincollegeandoccasionallyreadnovels，goodalthoughsomewhatworldlywomen，hadsmokedthroughthepagesofabookthathadoncefallenintohishands。Witharushofnewdeter-
　　minationheworkedonhissermonsallthroughtheweekandforgot，inhiszealtoreachtheearsandthesoulofthisnewlistener，bothhisembarrassmentinthepulpitandthenecessityofprayerinthestudyonSundaymornings。
　　ReverendHartman'sexperiencewithwomenhadbeensomewhatlimited。HewasthesonofawagonmakerfromMuncie，Indiana，andhadworkedhiswaythroughcollege。Thedaughteroftheunder-
　　wearmanufacturerhadboardedinahousewherehelivedduringhisschooldaysandhehadmarriedherafteraformalandprolongedcourtship，carriedonforthemostpartbythegirlherself。Onhismar-
　　riagedaytheunderwearmanufacturerhadgivenhisdaughterfivethousanddollarsandhepromisedtoleaveheratleasttwicethatamountinhiswill。Theministerhadthoughthimselffortunateinmarriageandhadneverpermittedhimselftothinkofotherwomen。Hedidnotwanttothinkofotherwomen。
　　WhathewantedwastodotheworkofGodquietlyandearnestly。
　　Inthesouloftheministerastruggleawoke。FromwantingtoreachtheearsofKateSwift，andthroughhissermonstodelveintohersoul，hebegantowantalsotolookagainatthefigurelyingwhiteandquietinthebed。OnaSundaymorningwhenhecouldnotsleepbecauseofhisthoughtshearoseandwenttowalkinthestreets。WhenhehadgonealongMainStreetalmosttotheoldRichmondplacehestoppedandpickingupastonerushedofftotheroominthebelltower。WiththestonehebrokeoutacornerofthewindowandthenlockedthedoorandsatdownatthedeskbeforetheopenBibletowait。WhentheshadeofthewindowtoKateSwift'sroomwasraisedhecouldsee，throughthehole，directlyintoherbed，butshewasnotthere。ShealsohadarisenandhadgoneforawalkandthehandthatraisedtheshadewasthehandofAuntElizabethSwift。
　　Theministeralmostweptwithjoyatthisdeliver-
　　ancefromthecarnaldesireto"peep"andwentbacktohisownhousepraisingGod。Inanillmomentheforgot，however，tostoptheholeinthewindow。
　　ThepieceofglassbrokenoutatthecornerofthewindowjustnippedoffthebareheeloftheboystandingmotionlessandlookingwithrapteyesintothefaceoftheChrist。
　　CurtisHartmanforgothissermononthatSundaymorning。Hetalkedtohiscongregationandinhistalksaidthatitwasamistakeforpeopletothinkoftheirministerasamansetasideandintendedbynaturetoleadablamelesslife。"OutofmyownexperienceIknowthatwe，whoaretheministersofGod'sword，arebesetbythesametemptationsthatassailyou，"hedeclared。"Ihavebeentemptedandhavesurrenderedtotemptation。ItisonlythehandofGod，placedbeneathmyhead，thathasraisedmeup。Ashehasraisedmesoalsowillheraiseyou。
　　Donotdespair。Inyourhourofsinraiseyoureyestotheskiesandyouwillbeagainandagainsaved。"
　　Resolutelytheministerputthethoughtsofthewomaninthebedoutofhismindandbegantobesomethinglikealoverinthepresenceofhiswife。
　　OneeveningwhentheydroveouttogetherheturnedthehorseoutofBuckeyeStreetandinthedarknessonGospelHill，aboveWaterworksPond，puthisarmaboutSarahHartman'swaist。Whenhehadeatenbreakfastinthemorningandwasreadytoretiretohisstudyatthebackofhishousehewentaroundthetableandkissedhiswifeonthecheek。WhenthoughtsofKateSwiftcameintohishead，hesmiledandraisedhiseyestotheskies。
　　"Intercedeforme，Master，"hemuttered，"keepmeinthenarrowpathintentonThywork。"
　　Andnowbegantherealstruggleinthesoulofthebrown-beardedminister。Bychancehediscov-
　　eredthatKateSwiftwasinthehabitoflyinginherbedintheeveningsandreadingabook。Alampstoodonatablebythesideofthebedandthelightstreameddownuponherwhiteshouldersandbarethroat。Ontheeveningwhenhemadethediscoverytheministersatatthedeskinthedustyroomfromnineuntilafterelevenandwhenherlightwasputoutstumbledoutofthechurchtospendtwomorehourswalkingandprayinginthestreets。HedidnotwanttokisstheshouldersandthethroatofKateSwiftandhadnotallowedhismindtodwellonsuchthoughts。Hedidnotknowwhathewanted。
　　"IamGod'schildandhemustsavemefrommy-
　　self，"hecried，inthedarknessunderthetreesashewanderedinthestreets。Byatreehestoodandlookedattheskythatwascoveredwithhurryingclouds。HebegantotalktoGodintimatelyandclosely。"Please，Father，donotforgetme。Givemepowertogotomorrowandrepairtheholeinthewindow。Liftmyeyesagaintotheskies。Staywithme，Thyservant，inhishourofneed。"
　　Upanddownthroughthesilentstreetswalkedtheministerandfordaysandweekshissoulwastroubled。Hecouldnotunderstandthetemptationthathadcometohimnorcouldhefathomtherea-
　　sonforitscoming。InawayhebegantoblameGod，sayingtohimselfthathehadtriedtokeephisfeetinthetruepathandhadnotrunaboutseekingsin。
　　"ThroughmydaysasayoungmanandallthroughmylifehereIhavegonequietlyaboutmywork，"
　　hedeclared。"WhynowshouldIbetempted？WhathaveIdonethatthisburdenshouldbelaidonme？"
　　ThreetimesduringtheearlyfallandwinterofthatyearCurtisHartmancreptoutofhishousetotheroominthebelltowertositinthedarknesslookingatthefigureofKateSwiftlyinginherbedandlaterwenttowalkandprayinthestreets。Hecouldnotunderstandhimself。Forweekshewouldgoalongscarcelythinkingoftheschoolteacherandtellinghimselfthathehadconqueredthecarnalde-
　　siretolookatherbody。Andthensomethingwouldhappen。Ashesatinthestudyofhisownhouse，hardatworkonasermon，hewouldbecomener-
　　vousandbegintowalkupanddowntheroom。"I
　　willgooutintothestreets，"hetoldhimselfandevenashelethimselfinatthechurchdoorheper-
　　sistentlydeniedtohimselfthecauseofhisbeingthere。"IwillnotrepairtheholeinthewindowandIwilltrainmyselftocomehereatnightandsitinthepresenceofthiswomanwithoutraisingmyeyes。
　　Iwillnotbedefeatedinthisthing。TheLordhasdevisedthistemptationasatestofmysoulandI
　　willgropemywayoutofdarknessintothelightofrighteousness。"
　　OnenightinJanuarywhenitwasbittercoldandsnowlaydeeponthestreetsofWinesburgCurtisHartmanpaidhislastvisittotheroominthebelltowerofthechurch。Itwaspastnineo'clockwhenhelefthisownhouseandhesetoutsohurriedlythatheforgottoputonhisovershoes。InMainStreetnoonewasabroadbutHopHigginsthenightwatchmanandinthewholetownnoonewasawakebutthewatchmanandyoungGeorgeWillard，whosatintheofficeoftheWinesburgEagletryingtowriteastory。Alongthestreettothechurchwenttheminister，plowingthroughthedriftsandthinkingthatthistimehewouldutterlygivewaytosin。"I
　　wanttolookatthewomanandtothinkofkissinghershouldersandIamgoingtoletmyselfthinkwhatIchoose，"hedeclaredbitterlyandtearscameintohiseyes。Hebegantothinkthathewouldgetoutoftheministryandtrysomeotherwayoflife。
　　"Ishallgotosomecityandgetintobusiness，"hedeclared。"IfmynatureissuchthatIcannotresistsin，Ishallgivemyselfovertosin。AtleastIshallnotbeahypocrite，preachingthewordofGodwithmymindthinkingoftheshouldersandneckofawomanwhodoesnotbelongtome。"
　　ItwascoldintheroomofthebelltowerofthechurchonthatJanuarynightandalmostassoonashecameintotheroomCurtisHartmanknewthatifhestayedhewouldbeill。Hisfeetwerewetfromtrampinginthesnowandtherewasnofire。IntheroominthehousenextdoorKateSwifthadnotyetappeared。Withgrimdeterminationthemansatdowntowait。SittinginthechairandgrippingtheedgeofthedeskonwhichlaytheBiblehestaredintothedarknessthinkingtheblackestthoughtsofhislife。Hethoughtofhiswifeandforthemomentalmosthatedher。"Shehasalwaysbeenashamedofpassionandhascheatedme，"hethought。"Manhasarighttoexpectlivingpassionandbeautyinawoman。Hehasnorighttoforgetthatheisanani-
　　malandinmethereissomethingthatisGreek。I
　　willthrowoffthewomanofmybosomandseekotherwomen。Iwillbesiegethisschoolteacher。I
　　willflyinthefaceofallmenandifIamacreatureofcarnallustsIwilllivethenformylusts。"
　　Thedistractedmantrembledfromheadtofoot，partlyfromcold，partlyfromthestruggleinwhichhewasengaged。Hourspassedandafeverassailedhisbody。Histhroatbegantohurtandhisteethchattered。Hisfeetonthestudyfloorfeltliketwocakesofice。Stillhewouldnotgiveup。"IwillseethiswomanandwillthinkthethoughtsIhaveneverdaredtothink，"hetoldhimself，grippingtheedgeofthedeskandwaiting。
　　CurtisHartmancameneardyingfromtheeffectsofthatnightofwaitinginthechurch，andalsohefoundinthethingthathappenedwhathetooktobethewayoflifeforhim。Onothereveningswhenhehadwaitedhehadnotbeenabletosee，throughthelittleholeintheglass，anypartoftheschoolteacher'sroomexceptthatoccupiedbyherbed。Inthedarknesshehadwaiteduntilthewomansud-
　　denlyappearedsittinginthebedinherwhitenight-
　　robe。Whenthelightwasturnedupsheproppedherselfupamongthe'pillowsandreadabook。
　　Sometimesshesmokedoneofthecigarettes。Onlyherbareshouldersandthroatwerevisible。
　　OntheJanuarynight，afterhehadcomeneardyingwithcoldandafterhismindhadtwoorthreetimesactuallyslippedawayintoanoddlandoffan-
　　tasysothathehadbyanexerciseofwillpowertoforcehimselfbackintoconsciousness，KateSwiftappeared。Intheroomnextdooralampwaslightedandthewaitingmanstaredintoanemptybed。Thenuponthebedbeforehiseyesanakedwomanthrewherself。Lyingfacedownwardsheweptandbeatwithherfistsuponthepillow。Withafinaloutburstofweepingshehalfarose，andinthepresenceofthemanwhohadwaitedtolookandnottothinkthoughtsthewomanofsinbegantopray。Inthelamplightherfigure，slimandstrong，lookedlikethefigureoftheboyinthepresenceoftheChristontheleadedwindow。
　　CurtisHartmanneverrememberedhowhegotoutofthechurch。Withacryhearose，draggingtheheavydeskalongthefloor。TheBiblefell，makingagreatclatterinthesilence。Whenthelightinthehousenextdoorwentouthestumbleddownthestairwayandintothestreet。AlongthestreethewentandraninatthedooroftheWinesburgEagle。
　　ToGeorgeWillard，whowastrampingupanddownintheofficeundergoingastruggleofhisown，hebegantotalkhalfincoherently。"ThewaysofGodarebeyondhumanunderstanding，"hecried，run-
　　ninginquicklyandclosingthedoor。Hebegantoadvanceupontheyoungman，hiseyesglowingandhisvoiceringingwithfervor。"Ihavefoundthelight，"hecried。"Aftertenyearsinthistown，Godhasmanifestedhimselftomeinthebodyofawoman。"Hisvoicedroppedandhebegantowhis-
　　per。"Ididnotunderstand，"hesaid。"WhatItooktobeatrialofmysoulwasonlyapreparationforanewandmorebeautifulfervorofthespirit。GodhasappearedtomeinthepersonofKateSwift，theschoolteacher，kneelingnakedonabed。DoyouknowKateSwift？Althoughshemaynotbeawareofit，sheisaninstrumentofGod，bearingthemes-
　　sageoftruth。"
　　ReverendCurtisHartmanturnedandranoutoftheoffice。Atthedoorhestopped，andafterlookingupanddownthedesertedstreet，turnedagaintoGeorgeWillard。"Iamdelivered。Havenofear。"Heheldupableedingfistfortheyoungmantosee。"I
　　smashedtheglassofthewindow，"hecried。"Nowitwillhavetobewhollyreplaced。ThestrengthofGodwasinmeandIbrokeitwithmyfist。"
　　THETEACHER
　　SNOWLAYDEEPinthestreetsofWinesburg。Ithadbeguntosnowaboutteno'clockinthemorningandawindsprangupandblewthesnowincloudsalongMainStreet。Thefrozenmudroadsthatledintotownwerefairlysmoothandinplacesicecov-
　　eredthemud。"Therewillbegoodsleighing，"saidWillHenderson，standingbythebarinEdGriffith'ssaloon。OutofthesaloonhewentandmetSylvesterWestthedruggiststumblingalonginthekindofheavyovershoescalledarctics。"SnowwillbringthepeopleintotownonSaturday，"saidthedruggist。
　　Thetwomenstoppedanddiscussedtheiraffairs。
　　WillHenderson，whohadonalightovercoatandnoovershoes，kickedtheheelofhisleftfootwiththetoeoftheright。"Snowwillbegoodforthewheat，"observedthedruggistsagely。
　　YoungGeorgeWillard，whohadnothingtodo，wasgladbecausehedidnotfeellikeworkingthatday。TheweeklypaperhadbeenprintedandtakentothepostofficeWednesdayeveningandthesnowbegantofallonThursday。Ateighto'clock，afterthemorningtrainhadpassed，heputapairofskatesinhispocketandwentuptoWaterworksPondbutdidnotgoskating。PastthepondandalongapaththatfollowedWineCreekhewentuntilhecametoagroveofbeechtrees。Therehebuiltafireagainstthesideofalogandsatdownattheendofthelogtothink。Whenthesnowbegantofallandthewindtoblowhehurriedaboutgettingfuelforthefire。
　　TheyoungreporterwasthinkingofKateSwift，whohadoncebeenhisschoolteacher。Ontheeve-
　　ningbeforehehadgonetoherhousetogetabookshewantedhimtoreadandhadbeenalonewithherforanhour。Forthefourthorfifthtimethewomanhadtalkedtohimwithgreatearnestnessandhecouldnotmakeoutwhatshemeantbyhertalk。Hebegantobelieveshemustbeinlovewithhimandthethoughtwasbothpleasingandannoying。
　　Upfromtheloghesprangandbegantopilesticksonthefire。Lookingabouttobesurehewasalonehetalkedaloudpretendinghewasinthepresenceofthewoman，"Oh，，you'rejustlettingon，youknowyouare，"hedeclared。"Iamgoingtofindoutaboutyou。Youwaitandsee。"
　　Theyoungmangotupandwentbackalongthepathtowardtownleavingthefireblazinginthewood。Ashewentthroughthestreetstheskatesclankedinhispocket。InhisownroomintheNewWillardHousehebuiltafireinthestoveandlaydownontopofthebed。Hebegantohavelustfulthoughtsandpullingdowntheshadeofthewindowclosedhiseyesandturnedhisfacetothewall。Hetookapillowintohisarmsandembraceditthinkingfirstoftheschoolteacher，whobyherwordshadstirredsomethingwithinhim，andlaterofHelenWhite，theslimdaughterofthetownbanker，withwhomhehadbeenforalongtimehalfinlove。
　　Bynineo'clockofthateveningsnowlaydeepinthestreetsandtheweatherhadbecomebittercold。
　　Itwasdifficulttowalkabout。Thestoresweredarkandthepeoplehadcrawledawaytotheirhouses。
　　TheeveningtrainfromClevelandwasverylatebutnobodywasinterestedinitsarrival。Byteno'clockallbutfouroftheeighteenhundredcitizensofthetownwereinbed。
　　HopHiggins，thenightwatchman，waspartiallyawake。Hewaslameandcarriedaheavystick。Ondarknightshecarriedalantern。Betweennineandteno'clockhewenthisrounds。UpanddownMainStreethestumbledthroughthedriftstryingthedoorsofthestores。Thenhewentintoalleywaysandtriedthebackdoors。FindingalltighthehurriedaroundthecornertotheNewWillardHouseandbeatonthedoor。Throughtherestofthenightheintendedtostaybythestove。"Yougotobed。I'llkeepthestovegoing，"hesaidtotheboywhosleptonacotinthehoteloffice。
　　HopHigginssatdownbythestoveandtookoffhisshoes。Whentheboyhadgonetosleephebegantothinkofhisownaffairs。Heintendedtopainthishouseinthespringandsatbythestovecalculatingthecostofpaintandlabor。Thatledhimintoothercalculations。Thenightwatchmanwassixtyyearsoldandwantedtoretire。HehadbeenasoldierintheCivilWaranddrewasmallpension。Hehopedtofindsomenewmethodofmakingalivingandaspiredtobecomeaprofessionalbreederofferrets。
　　Alreadyhehadfourofthestrangelyshapedsavagelittlecreatures，thatareusedbysportsmeninthepursuitofrabbits，inthecellarofhishouse。"NowIhaveonemaleandthreefemales，"hemused。"IfIamluckybyspringIshallhavetwelveorfifteen。
　　InanotheryearIshallbeabletobeginadvertisingferretsforsaleinthesportingpapers。"
　　Thenightwatchmansettledintohischairandhismindbecameablank。Hedidnotsleep。Byyearsofpracticehehadtrainedhimselftositforhoursthroughthelongnightsneitherasleepnorawake。
　　Inthemorninghewasalmostasrefreshedasthoughhehadslept。
　　WithHopHigginssafelystowedawayinthechairbehindthestoveonlythreepeoplewereawakeinWinesburg。GeorgeWillardwasintheofficeoftheEaglepretendingtobeatworkonthewritingofastorybutinrealitycontinuingthemoodofthemorningbythefireinthewood。InthebelltowerofthePresbyterianChurchtheReverendCurtisHartmanwassittinginthedarknesspreparinghim-
　　selfforarevelationfromGod，andKateSwift，theschoolteacher，wasleavingherhouseforawalkinthestorm。
　　Itwaspastteno'clockwhenKateSwiftsetoutandthewalkwasunpremeditated。Itwasasthoughthemanandtheboy，bythinkingofher，haddrivenherforthintothewintrystreets。AuntElizabethSwifthadgonetothecountyseatconcerningsomebusinessinconnectionwithmortgagesinwhichshehadmoneyinvestedandwouldnotbebackuntilthenextday。Byahugestove，calledabaseburner，inthelivingroomofthehousesatthedaughterreadingabook。Suddenlyshesprangtoherfeetand，snatchingacloakfromarackbythefrontdoor，ranoutofthehouse。
　　AttheageofthirtyKateSwiftwasnotknowninWinesburgasaprettywoman。Hercomplexionwasnotgoodandherfacewascoveredwithblotchesthatindicatedillhealth。Aloneinthenightinthewinterstreetsshewaslovely。Herbackwasstraight，hershoulderssquare，andherfeatureswereasthefeaturesofatinygoddessonapedestalinagardeninthedimlightofasummerevening。
　　DuringtheafternoontheschoolteacherhadbeentoseeDoctorWellingconcerningherhealth。Thedoctorhadscoldedherandhaddeclaredshewasindangeroflosingherhearing。ItwasfoolishforKateSwifttobeabroadinthestorm，foolishandperhapsdangerous。
　　Thewomaninthestreetsdidnotrememberthewordsofthedoctorandwouldnothaveturnedbackhadsheremembered。Shewasverycoldbutafterwalkingforfiveminutesnolongermindedthecold。
　　FirstshewenttotheendofherownstreetandthenacrossapairofhayscalessetinthegroundbeforeafeedbarnandintoTrunionPike。AlongTrunionPikeshewenttoNedWinters'barnandturningeastfollowedastreetoflowframehousesthatledoverGospelHillandintoSuckerRoadthatrandownashallowvalleypastIkeSmead'schickenfarmtoWaterworksPond。Asshewentalong，thebold，ex-
　　citedmoodthathaddrivenheroutofdoorspassedandthenreturnedagain。
　　TherewassomethingbitingandforbiddinginthecharacterofKateSwift。Everyonefeltit。Intheschoolroomshewassilent，cold，andstern，andyetinanoddwayveryclosetoherpupils。Onceinalongwhilesomethingseemedtohavecomeoverherandshewashappy。Allofthechildrenintheschoolroomfelttheeffectofherhappiness。Foratimetheydidnotworkbutsatbackintheirchairsandlookedather。
　　Withhandsclaspedbehindherbacktheschoolteacherwalkedupanddownintheschoolroomandtalkedveryrapidly。Itdidnotseemtomatterwhatsubjectcameintohermind。OnceshetalkedtothechildrenofCharlesLambandmadeupstrange，inti-
　　matelittlestoriesconcerningthelifeofthedeadwriter。ThestoriesweretoldwiththeairofonewhohadlivedinahousewithCharlesLambandknewallthesecretsofhisprivatelife。Thechildrenweresomewhatconfused，thinkingCharlesLambmustbesomeonewhohadoncelivedinWinesburg。
　　Onanotheroccasiontheteachertalkedtothechil-
　　drenofBenvenutoCellini。Thattimetheylaughed。
　　Whatabragging，blustering，brave，lovablefellowshemadeoftheoldartist!Concerninghimalsosheinventedanecdotes。TherewasoneofaGermanmusicteacherwhohadaroomaboveCellini'slodg-
　　ingsinthecityofMilanthatmadetheboysguffaw。
　　SugarsMcNutts，afatboywithredcheeks，laughedsohardthathebecamedizzyandfelloffhisseatandKateSwiftlaughedwithhim。Thensuddenlyshebecameagaincoldandstern。
　　Onthewinternightwhenshewalkedthroughthedesertedsnow-coveredstreets，acrisishadcomeintothelifeoftheschoolteacher。AlthoughnooneinWinesburgwouldhavesuspectedit，herlifehadbeenveryadventurous。Itwasstilladventurous。
　　Daybydayassheworkedintheschoolroomorwalkedinthestreets，grief，hope，anddesirefoughtwithinher。Behindacoldexteriorthemostextraor-
　　dinaryeventstranspiredinhermind。Thepeopleofthetownthoughtofherasaconfirmedoldmaidandbecauseshespokesharplyandwentherownwaythoughtherlackinginallthehumanfeelingthatdidsomuchtomakeandmartheirownlives。
　　Inrealityshewasthemosteagerlypassionatesoulamongthem，andmorethanonce，inthefiveyearssinceshehadcomebackfromhertravelstosettleinWinesburgandbecomeaschoolteacher，hadbeencompelledtogooutofthehouseandwalkhalfthroughthenightfightingoutsomebattleragingwithin。OnceonanightwhenitrainedshehadstayedoutsixhoursandwhenshecamehomehadaquarrelwithAuntElizabethSwift。"Iamgladyou'renotaman，"saidthemothersharply。"MorethanonceI'vewaitedforyourfathertocomehome，notknowingwhatnewmesshehadgotinto。I'vehadmyshareofuncertaintyandyoucannotblamemeifIdonotwanttoseetheworstsideofhimreproducedinyou。"
　　KateSwift'smindwasablazewiththoughtsofGeorgeWillard。Insomethinghehadwrittenasaschoolboyshethoughtshehadrecognizedthesparkofgeniusandwantedtoblowonthespark。
　　OnedayinthesummershehadgonetotheEagleofficeandfindingtheboyunoccupiedhadtakenhimoutMainStreettotheFairGround，wherethetwosatonagrassybankandtalked。Theschoolteachertriedtobringhometothemindoftheboysomeconceptionofthedifficultieshewouldhavetofaceasawriter。"Youwillhavetoknowlife，"shedeclared，andhervoicetrembledwithearnestness。
　　ShetookholdofGeorgeWillard'sshouldersandturnedhimaboutsothatshecouldlookintohiseyes。Apasser-bymighthavethoughtthemabouttoembrace。"Ifyouaretobecomeawriteryou'llhavetostopfoolingwithwords，"sheexplained。"Itwouldbebettertogiveupthenotionofwritinguntilyouarebetterprepared。Nowit'stimetobeliving。Idon'twanttofrightenyou，butIwouldliketomakeyouunderstandtheimportofwhatyouthinkofattempting。Youmustnotbecomeamerepeddlerofwords。Thethingtolearnistoknowwhatpeoplearethinkingabout，notwhattheysay。"
　　OntheeveningbeforethatstormyThursdaynightwhentheReverendCurtisHartmansatinthebelltowerofthechurchwaitingtolookatherbody，youngWillardhadgonetovisittheteacherandtoborrowabook。Itwasthenthethinghappenedthatconfusedandpuzzledtheboy。Hehadthebookunderhisarmandwaspreparingtodepart。AgainKateSwifttalkedwithgreatearnestness。Nightwascomingonandthelightintheroomgrewdim。Asheturnedtogoshespokehisnamesoftlyandwithanimpulsivemovementtookholdofhishand。Be-
　　causethereporterwasrapidlybecomingamansomethingofhisman'sappeal，combinedwiththewinsomenessoftheboy，stirredtheheartofthelonelywoman。Apassionatedesiretohavehimun-
　　derstandtheimportoflife，tolearntointerpretittrulyandhonestly，sweptoverher。Leaningfor-
　　ward，herlipsbrushedhischeek。Atthesamemo-
　　mentheforthefirsttimebecameawareofthemarkedbeautyofherfeatures。Theywerebothem-
　　barrassed，andtorelieveherfeelingshebecameharshanddomineering。"What'stheuse？ItwillbetenyearsbeforeyoubegintounderstandwhatI
　　meanwhenItalktoyou，"shecriedpassionately。
　　Onthenightofthestormandwhiletheministersatinthechurchwaitingforher，KateSwiftwenttotheofficeoftheWinesburgEagle，intendingtohaveanothertalkwiththeboy。Afterthelongwalkinthesnowshewascold，lonely，andtired。AsshecamethroughMainStreetshesawthefightfromtheprintshopwindowshiningonthesnowandonanimpulseopenedthedoorandwentin。Foranhourshesatbythestoveintheofficetalkingoflife。Shetalkedwithpassionateearnestness。Theimpulsethathaddrivenheroutintothesnowpoureditselfoutintotalk。Shebecameinspiredasshesometimesdidinthepresenceofthechildreninschool。Agreateagernesstoopenthedooroflifetotheboy，whohadbeenherpupilandwhoshethoughtmightpos-
　　sessatalentfortheunderstandingoflife，hadpos-
　　sessionofher。Sostrongwasherpassionthatitbecamesomethingphysical。Againherhandstookholdofhisshouldersandsheturnedhimabout。Inthedimlighthereyesblazed。Shearoseandlaughed，notsharplyaswascustomarywithher，butinaqueer，hesitatingway。"Imustbegoing，"shesaid。"Inamoment，ifIstay，I'llbewantingtokissyou。"
　　Inthenewspaperofficeaconfusionarose。KateSwiftturnedandwalkedtothedoor。Shewasateacherbutshewasalsoawoman。AsshelookedatGeorgeWillard，thepassionatedesiretobelovedbyaman，thathadathousandtimesbeforesweptlikeastormoverherbody，tookpossessionofher。
　　InthelamplightGeorgeWillardlookednolongeraboy，butamanreadytoplaythepartofaman。
　　TheschoolteacherletGeorgeWillardtakeherintohisarms。Inthewarmlittleofficetheairbecamesuddenlyheavyandthestrengthwentoutofherbody。Leaningagainstalowcounterbythedoorshewaited。Whenhecameandputahandonhershoul-
　　dersheturnedandletherbodyfallheavilyagainsthim。ForGeorgeWillardtheconfusionwasimmedi-
　　atelyincreased。Foramomentheheldthebodyofthewomantightlyagainsthisbodyandthenitstiff-
　　ened。Twosharplittlefistsbegantobeatonhisface。
　　Whentheschoolteacherhadrunawayandlefthimalone，hewalkedupanddowntheofficeswearingfuriously。
　　ItwasintothisconfusionthattheReverendCurtisHartmanprotrudedhimself。WhenhecameinGeorgeWillardthoughtthetownhadgonemad。
　　Shakingableedingfistintheair，theministerpro-
　　claimedthewomanGeorgehadonlyamomentbe-
　　foreheldinhisarmsaninstrumentofGodbearingamessageoftruth。
　　Georgeblewoutthelampbythewindowandlockingthedooroftheprintshopwenthome。
　　Throughthehoteloffice，pastHopHigginslostinhisdreamoftheraisingofferrets，hewentandupintohisownroom。Thefireinthestovehadgoneoutandheundressedinthecold。Whenhegotintobedthesheetswerelikeblanketsofdrysnow。
　　GeorgeWillardrolledaboutinthebedonwhichhadlainintheafternoonhuggingthepillowandthinkingthoughtsofKateSwift。Thewordsoftheminister，whohethoughthadgonesuddenlyin-
　　sane，ranginhisears。Hiseyesstaredabouttheroom。Theresentment，naturaltothebaffledmale，passedandhetriedtounderstandwhathadhap-
　　pened。Hecouldnotmakeitout。Overandoverheturnedthematterinhismind。Hourspassedandhebegantothinkitmustbetimeforanotherdaytocome。Atfouro'clockhepulledthecoversupabouthisneckandtriedtosleep。Whenhebecamedrowsyandclosedhiseyes，heraisedahandandwithitgropedaboutinthedarkness。"Ihavemissedsome-
　　thing。IhavemissedsomethingKateSwiftwastry-
　　ingtotellme，"hemutteredsleepily。ThenhesleptandinallWinesburghewasthelastsoulonthatwinternighttogotosleep。
　　LONELINESS
　　HEWASTHEsonofMrs。AlRobinsonwhoonceownedafarmonasideroadleadingoffTrunionPike，eastofWinesburgandtwomilesbeyondthetownlimits。Thefarmhousewaspaintedbrownandtheblindstoallofthewindowsfacingtheroadwerekeptclosed。Intheroadbeforethehouseaflockofchickens，accompaniedbytwoguineahens，layinthedeepdust。EnochlivedinthehousewithhismotherinthosedaysandwhenhewasayoungboywenttoschoolattheWinesburgHighSchool。Oldcitizensrememberedhimasaquiet，smilingyouthinclinedtosilence。Hewalkedinthemiddleoftheroadwhenhecameintotownandsometimesreadabook。Driversofteamshadtoshoutandsweartomakehimrealizewherehewassothathewouldturnoutofthebeatentrackandletthempass。
　　Whenhewastwenty-oneyearsoldEnochwenttoNewYorkCityandwasacitymanforfifteenyears。HestudiedFrenchandwenttoanartschool，hopingtodevelopafacultyhehadfordrawing。InhisownmindheplannedtogotoParisandtofinishhisarteducationamongthemastersthere，butthatneverturnedout。
　　NothingeverturnedoutforEnochRobinson。Hecoulddrawwellenoughandhehadmanyodddeli-
　　catethoughtshiddenawayinhisbrainthatmighthaveexpressedthemselvesthroughthebrushofapainter，buthewasalwaysachildandthatwasahandicaptohisworldlydevelopment。Henevergrewupandofcoursehecouldn'tunderstandpeo-
　　pleandhecouldn'tmakepeopleunderstandhim。
　　Thechildinhimkeptbumpingagainstthings，againstactualitieslikemoneyandsexandopinions。
　　Oncehewashitbyastreetcarandthrownagainstanironpost。Thatmadehimlame。ItwasoneofthemanythingsthatkeptthingsfromturningoutforEnochRobinsonInNewYorkCity，whenhefirstwenttheretoliveandbeforehebecameconfusedanddisconcertedbythefactsoflife，Enochwentaboutagooddealwithyoungmen。Hegotintoagroupofotheryoungartists，bothmenandwomen，andintheeveningstheysometimescametovisithiminhisroom。Oncehegotdrunkandwastakentoapolicestationwhereapolicemagistratefrightenedhimhorribly，andoncehetriedtohaveanaffairwithawomanofthetownmetonthesidewalkbeforehislodginghouse。ThewomanandEnochwalkedtogetherthreeblocksandthentheyoungmangrewafraidandranaway。Thewomanhadbeendrinkingandtheincidentamusedher。Sheleanedagainstthewallofabuildingandlaughedsoheartilythatanothermanstoppedandlaughedwithher。Thetwowentawaytogether，stilllaughing，andEnochcreptofftohisroomtremblingandvexed。
　　TheroominwhichyoungRobinsonlivedinNewYorkfacedWashingtonSquareandwaslongandnarrowlikeahallway。Itisimportanttogetthatfixedinyourmind。ThestoryofEnochisinfactthestoryofaroomalmostmorethanitisthestoryofaman。