Whenacounterorarowofshelvesinthestorebecameuseless，clerkscarrieditupthestairwayandthrewitonthepile。
　　DoctorReefy'sofficewasaslargeasabarn。A
　　stovewitharoundpaunchsatinthemiddleoftheroom。Arounditsbasewaspiledsawdust，heldinplacebyheavyplanksnailedtothefloor。BythedoorstoodahugetablethathadoncebeenapartofthefurnitureofHerrick'sClothingStoreandthathadbeenusedfordisplayingcustom-madeclothes。
　　Itwascoveredwithbooks，bottles，andsurgicalin-
　　struments。NeartheedgeofthetablelaythreeorfourapplesleftbyJohnSpaniard，atreenurserymanwhowasDoctorReefy'sfriend，andwhohadslippedtheapplesoutofhispocketashecameinatthedoor。
　　AtmiddleageDoctorReefywastallandawk-
　　ward。Thegreybeardhelaterworehadnotyetap-
　　peared，butontheupperlipgrewabrownmustache。
　　Hewasnotagracefulman，aswhenhegrewolder，andwasmuchoccupiedwiththeproblemofdispos-
　　ingofhishandsandfeet。
　　Onsummerafternoons，whenshehadbeenmar-
　　riedmanyyearsandwhenhersonGeorgewasaboyoftwelveorfourteen，ElizabethWillardsome-
　　timeswentupthewornstepstoDoctorReefy'sof-
　　fice。Alreadythewoman'snaturallytallfigurehadbeguntodroopandtodragitselflistlesslyabout。
　　Ostensiblyshewenttoseethedoctorbecauseofherhealth，butonthehalfdozenoccasionswhenshehadbeentoseehimtheoutcomeofthevisitsdidnotprimarilyconcernherhealth。Sheandthedoctortalkedofthatbuttheytalkedmostofherlife，oftheirtwolivesandoftheideasthathadcometothemastheylivedtheirlivesinWinesburg。
　　Inthebigemptyofficethemanandthewomansatlookingateachotherandtheywereagooddealalike。Theirbodiesweredifferent，aswerealsothecoloroftheireyes，thelengthoftheirnoses，andthecircumstancesoftheirexistence，butsomethinginsidethemmeantthesamething，wantedthesamerelease，wouldhaveleftthesameimpressiononthememoryofanonlooker。Later，andwhenhegrewolderandmarriedayoungwife，thedoctoroftentalkedtoherofthehoursspentwiththesickwomanandexpressedagoodmanythingshehadbeenun-
　　abletoexpresstoElizabeth。Hewasalmostapoetinhisoldageandhisnotionofwhathappenedtookapoeticturn。"IhadcometothetimeinmylifewhenprayerbecamenecessaryandsoIinventedgodsandprayedtothem，"hesaid。"IdidnotsaymyprayersinwordsnordidIkneeldownbutsatperfectlystillinmychair。InthelateafternoonwhenitwashotandquietonMainStreetorinthewinterwhenthedaysweregloomy，thegodscameintotheofficeandIthoughtnooneknewaboutthem。ThenIfoundthatthiswomanElizabethknew，thatsheworshippedalsothesamegods。Ihaveanotionthatshecametotheofficebecauseshethoughtthegodswouldbetherebutshewashappytofindherselfnotalonejustthesame。Itwasanexperiencethatcannotbeexplained，althoughIsupposeitisalwayshappeningtomenandwomeninallsortsofplaces。"
　　OnthesummerafternoonswhenElizabethandthedoctorsatintheofficeandtalkedoftheirtwolivestheytalkedofotherlivesalso。Sometimesthedoctormadephilosophicepigrams。Thenhechuck-
　　ledwithamusement。Nowandthenafteraperiodofsilence，awordwassaidorahintgiventhatstrangelyilluminatedthefifeofthespeaker，awishbecameadesire，oradream，halfdead，flaredsud-
　　denlyintolife。Forthemostpartthewordscamefromthewomanandshesaidthemwithoutlookingattheman。
　　Eachtimeshecametoseethedoctorthehotelkeeper'swifetalkedalittlemorefreelyandafteranhourortwoinhispresencewentdownthestairwayintoMainStreetfeelingrenewedandstrengthenedagainstthedullnessofherdays。Withsomethingapproachingagirlhoodswingtoherbodyshewalkedalong，butwhenshehadgotbacktoherchairbythewindowofherroomandwhendark-
　　nesshadcomeonandagirlfromthehoteldiningroombroughtherdinneronatray，sheletitgrowcold。Herthoughtsranawaytohergirlhoodwithitspassionatelongingforadventureandsheremem-
　　beredthearmsofmenthathadheldherwhenad-
　　venturewasapossiblethingforher。Particularlysherememberedonewhohadforatimebeenherloverandwhointhemomentofhispassionhadcriedouttohermorethanahundredtimes，sayingthesamewordsmadlyoverandover:"Youdear!Youdear!
　　Youlovelydear!"Thewords，shethought，ex-
　　pressedsomethingshewouldhavelikedtohaveachievedinlife。
　　Inherroomintheshabbyoldhotelthesickwifeofthehotelkeeperbegantoweepand，puttingherhandstoherface，rockedbackandforth。Thewordsofheronefriend，DoctorReefy，ranginherears。
　　"Loveislikeawindstirringthegrassbeneathtreesonablacknight，"hehadsaid。"Youmustnottrytomakelovedefinite。Itisthedivineaccidentoflife。
　　Ifyoutrytobedefiniteandsureaboutitandtolivebeneaththetrees，wheresoftnightwindsblow，thelonghotdayofdisappointmentcomesswiftlyandthegrittydustfrompassingwagonsgathersuponlipsinflamedandmadetenderbykisses。"
　　ElizabethWillardcouldnotrememberhermotherwhohaddiedwhenshewasbutfiveyearsold。Hergirlhoodhadbeenlivedinthemosthaphazardman-
　　nerimaginable。Herfatherwasamanwhohadwantedtobeletaloneandtheaffairsofthehotelwouldnotlethimalone。Healsohadlivedanddiedasickman。Everydayhearosewithacheerfulface，butbyteno'clockinthemorningallthejoyhadgoneoutofhisheart。Whenaguestcomplainedofthefareinthehoteldiningroomoroneofthegirlswhomadeupthebedsgotmarriedandwentaway，hestampedonthefloorandswore。Atnightwhenhewenttobedhethoughtofhisdaughtergrowingupamongthestreamofpeoplethatdriftedinandoutofthehotelandwasovercomewithsadness。Asthegirlgrewolderandbegantowalkoutintheeveningwithmenhewantedtotalktoher，butwhenhetriedwasnotsuccessful。Healwaysforgotwhathewantedtosayandspentthetimecomplain-
　　ingofhisownaffairs。
　　InhergirlhoodandyoungwomanhoodElizabethhadtriedtobearealadventurerinlife。Ateighteenlifehadsogrippedherthatshewasnolongeravirginbut，althoughshehadahalfdozenloversbeforeshemarriedTomWillard，shehadneveren-
　　tereduponanadventurepromptedbydesirealone。
　　Likeallthewomenintheworld，shewantedareallover。Alwaystherewassomethingshesoughtblindly，passionately，somehiddenwonderinlife。
　　Thetallbeautifulgirlwiththeswingingstridewhohadwalkedunderthetreeswithmenwasforeverputtingoutherhandintothedarknessandtryingtogetholdofsomeotherhand。Inallthebabbleofwordsthatfellfromthelipsofthemenwithwhomsheadventuredshewastryingtofindwhatwouldbeforherthetrueword，ElizabethhadmarriedTomWillard，aclerkinherfather'shotel，becausehewasathandandwantedtomarryatthetimewhenthedeterminationtomarrycametoher。Forawhile，likemostyounggirls，shethoughtmarriagewouldchangethefaceoflife。Iftherewasinhermindadoubtoftheout-
　　comeofthemarriagewithTomshebrusheditaside。
　　Herfatherwasillandneardeathatthetimeandshewasperplexedbecauseofthemeaninglessout-
　　comeofanaffairinwhichshehadjustbeenin-
　　volved。OthergirlsofherageinWinesburgweremarryingmenshehadalwaysknown，groceryclerksoryoungfarmers。IntheeveningtheywalkedinMainStreetwiththeirhusbandsandwhenshepassedtheysmiledhappily。Shebegantothinkthatthefactofmarriagemightbefullofsomehiddensignificance。Youngwiveswithwhomshetalkedspokesoftlyandshyly。"Itchangesthingstohaveamanofyourown，"theysaid。
　　Ontheeveningbeforehermarriagetheperplexedgirlhadatalkwithherfather。Latershewonderedifthehoursalonewiththesickmanhadnotledtoherdecisiontomarry。Thefathertalkedofhislifeandadvisedthedaughtertoavoidbeingledintoanothersuchmuddle。HeabusedTomWillard，andthatledElizabethtocometotheclerk'sdefense。Thesickmanbecameexcitedandtriedtogetoutofbed。
　　Whenshewouldnotlethimwalkabouthebegantocomplain。"I'veneverbeenletalone，"hesaid。
　　"AlthoughI'veworkedhardI'venotmadethehotelpay。EvennowIowemoneyatthebank。You'llfindthatoutwhenI'mgone。"
　　Thevoiceofthesickmanbecametensewithear-
　　nestness。Beingunabletoarise，heputouthishandandpulledthegirl'sheaddownbesidehisown。
　　"There'sawayout，"hewhispered。"Don'tmarryTomWillardoranyoneelsehereinWinesburg。
　　Thereiseighthundreddollarsinatinboxinmytrunk。Takeitandgoaway。"
　　Againthesickman'svoicebecamequerulous。
　　"You'vegottopromise，"hedeclared。"Ifyouwon'tpromisenottomarry，givemeyourwordthatyou'llnevertellTomaboutthemoney。ItismineandifI
　　giveittoyouI'vetherighttomakethatdemand。
　　Hideitaway。Itistomakeuptoyouformyfailureasafather。Sometimeitmayprovetobeadoor，agreatopendoortoyou。Comenow，ItellyouI'mabouttodie，givemeyourpromise。"
　　InDoctorReefy'soffice，Elizabeth，atiredgauntoldwomanatforty-one，satinachairnearthestoveandlookedatthefloor。Byasmalldesknearthewindowsatthedoctor。Hishandsplayedwithaleadpencilthatlayonthedesk。Elizabethtalkedofherlifeasamarriedwoman。Shebecameimpersonalandforgotherhusband，onlyusinghimasalayfiguretogivepointtohertale。"AndthenIwasmarriedanditdidnotturnoutatall，"shesaidbitterly。"AssoonasIhadgoneintoitIbegantobeafraid。PerhapsIknewtoomuchbeforeandthenperhapsIfoundouttoomuchduringmyfirstnightwithhim。Idon'tremember。
　　"WhatafoolIwas。Whenfathergavemethemoneyandtriedtotalkmeoutofthethoughtofmarriage，Iwouldnotlisten。IthoughtofwhatthegirlswhoweremarriedhadsaidofitandIwantedmarriagealso。Itwasn'tTomIwanted，itwasmar-
　　riage。WhenfatherwenttosleepIleanedoutofthewindowandthoughtofthelifeIhadled。Ididn'twanttobeabadwoman。Thetownwasfullofsto-
　　riesaboutme。IevenbegantobeafraidTomwouldchangehismind。"
　　Thewoman'svoicebegantoquiverwithexcite-
　　ment。ToDoctorReefy，whowithoutrealizingwhatwashappeninghadbeguntoloveher，therecameanoddillusion。Hethoughtthatasshetalkedthewoman'sbodywaschanging，thatshewasbecom-
　　ingyounger，straighter，stronger。Whenhecouldnotshakeofftheillusionhismindgaveitaprofes-
　　sionaltwist。"Itisgoodforbothherbodyandhermind，thistalking，"hemuttered。
　　Thewomanbegantellingofanincidentthathadhappenedoneafternoonafewmonthsafterhermarriage。Hervoicebecamesteadier。"InthelateafternoonIwentforadrivealone，"shesaid。"IhadabuggyandalittlegreyponyIkeptinMoyer'sLivery。Tomwaspaintingandrepaperingroomsinthehotel。HewantedmoneyandIwastryingtomakeupmymindtotellhimabouttheeighthun-
　　dreddollarsfatherhadgiventome。Icouldn'tde-
　　cidetodoit。Ididn'tlikehimwellenough。Therewasalwayspaintonhishandsandfaceduringthosedaysandhesmelledofpaint。Hewastryingtofixuptheoldhotel，andmakeitnewandsmart。"
　　Theexcitedwomansatupverystraightinherchairandmadeaquickgirlishmovementwithherhandasshetoldofthedrivealoneonthespringafternoon。"Itwascloudyandastormthreatened，"
　　shesaid。"Blackcloudsmadethegreenofthetreesandthegrassstandoutsothatthecolorshurtmyeyes。IwentoutTrunionPikeamileormoreandthenturnedintoasideroad。Thelittlehorsewentquicklyalonguphillanddown。Iwasimpatient。
　　ThoughtscameandIwantedtogetawayfrommythoughts。Ibegantobeatthehorse。Theblackcloudssettleddownanditbegantorain。Iwantedtogoataterriblespeed，todriveonandonforever。I
　　wantedtogetoutoftown，outofmyclothes，outofmymarriage，outofmybody，outofeverything。
　　Ialmostkilledthehorse，makinghimrun，andwhenhecouldnotrunanymoreIgotoutofthebuggyandranafootintothedarknessuntilIfellandhurtmyside。IwantedtorunawayfromeverythingbutIwantedtoruntowardssomethingtoo。Don'tyousee，dear，howitwas？"
　　Elizabethsprangoutofthechairandbegantowalkaboutintheoffice。ShewalkedasDoctorReefythoughthehadneverseenanyonewalkbefore。Toherwholebodytherewasaswing，arhythmthatintoxicatedhim。Whenshecameandkneltonthefloorbesidehischairhetookherintohisarmsandbegantokissherpassionately。"Icriedallthewayhome，"shesaid，asshetriedtocontinuethestoryofherwildride，buthedidnotlisten。"Youdear!
　　Youlovelydear!Ohyoulovelydear!"hemutteredandthoughtheheldinhisarmsnotthetired-outwomanofforty-onebutalovelyandinnocentgirlwhohadbeenablebysomemiracletoprojecther-
　　selfoutofthehuskofthebodyofthetired-outwoman。
　　DoctorReefydidnotseethewomanhehadheldinhisarmsagainuntilafterherdeath。Onthesum-
　　merafternoonintheofficewhenhewasonthepointofbecomingherloverahalfgrotesquelittleincidentbroughthislove-makingquicklytoanend。
　　Asthemanandwomanheldeachothertightlyheavyfeetcametrampinguptheofficestairs。Thetwosprangtotheirfeetandstoodlisteningandtrembling。ThenoiseonthestairswasmadebyaclerkfromtheParisDryGoodsCompany。Withaloudbanghethrewanemptyboxonthepileofrubbishinthehallwayandthenwentheavilydownthestairs。Elizabethfollowedhimalmostimmedi-
　　ately。Thethingthathadcometolifeinherasshetalkedtoheronefrienddiedsuddenly。Shewashysterical，aswasalsoDoctorReefy，anddidnotwanttocontinuethetalk。Alongthestreetshewentwiththebloodstillsinginginherbody，butwhensheturnedoutofMainStreetandsawaheadthelightsoftheNewWillardHouse，shebegantotrem-
　　bleandherkneesshooksothatforamomentshethoughtshewouldfallinthestreet。
　　Thesickwomanspentthelastfewmonthsofherlifehungeringfordeath。Alongtheroadofdeathshewent，seeking，hungering。Shepersonifiedthefigureofdeathandmadehimnowastrongblack-
　　hairedyouthrunningoverhills，nowastemquietmanmarkedandscarredbythebusinessofliving。
　　Inthedarknessofherroomsheputoutherhand，thrustingitfromunderthecoversofherbed，andshethoughtthatdeathlikealivingthingputouthishandtoher。"Bepatient，lover，"shewhispered。
　　"Keepyourselfyoungandbeautifulandbepatient。"
　　OntheeveningwhendiseaselaiditsheavyhanduponheranddefeatedherplansfortellinghersonGeorgeoftheeighthundreddollarshiddenaway，shegotoutofbedandcrepthalfacrosstheroompleadingwithdeathforanotherhouroflife。"Wait，dear!Theboy!Theboy!Theboy!"shepleadedasshetriedwithallofherstrengthtofightoffthearmsofthelovershehadwantedsoearnestly。
　　ElizabethdiedonedayinMarchintheyearwhenhersonGeorgebecameeighteen，andtheyoungmanhadbutlittlesenseofthemeaningofherdeath。Onlytimecouldgivehimthat。Foramonthhehadseenherlyingwhiteandstillandspeechlessinherbed，andthenoneafternoonthedoctorstoppedhiminthehallwayandsaidafewwords。
　　Theyoungmanwentintohisownroomandclosedthedoor。Hehadaqueeremptyfeelingintheregionofhisstomach。Foramomenthesatstar-
　　ingat，thefloorandthenjumpingupwentforawalk。Alongthestationplatformhewent，andaroundthroughresidencestreetspastthehigh-
　　schoolbuilding，thinkingalmostentirelyofhisownaffairs。Thenotionofdeathcouldnotgetholdofhimandhewasinfactalittleannoyedthathismotherhaddiedonthatday。HehadjustreceivedanotefromHelenWhite，thedaughterofthetownbanker，inanswertoonefromhim。"TonightIcouldhavegonetoseeherandnowitwillhavetobeputoff，"hethoughthalfangrily。
　　ElizabethdiedonaFridayafternoonatthreeo'clock。Ithadbeencoldandrainyinthemorningbutintheafternoonthesuncameout。Beforeshediedshelayparalyzedforsixdaysunabletospeakormoveandwithonlyhermindandhereyesalive。
　　Forthreeofthesixdaysshestruggled，thinkingofherboy，tryingtosaysomefewwordsinregardtohisfuture，andinhereyestherewasanappealsotouchingthatallwhosawitkeptthememoryofthedyingwomanintheirmindsforyears。EvenTomWillard，whohadalwayshalfresentedhiswife，for-
　　gothisresentmentandthetearsranoutofhiseyesandlodgedinhismustache。ThemustachehadbeguntoturngreyandTomcoloreditwithdye。
　　Therewasoilinthepreparationheusedforthepurposeandthetears，catchinginthemustacheandbeingbrushedawaybyhishand，formedafinemist-
　　likevapor。InhisgriefTomWillard'sfacelookedlikethefaceofalittledogthathasbeenoutalongtimeinbitterweather。
　　GeorgecamehomealongMainStreetatdarkonthedayofhismother'sdeathand，aftergoingtohisownroomtobrushhishairandclothes，wentalongthehallwayandintotheroomwherethebodylay。
　　TherewasacandleonthedressingtablebythedoorandDoctorReefysatinachairbythebed。Thedoctoraroseandstartedtogoout。Heputouthishandasthoughtogreettheyoungermanandthenawkwardlydrewitbackagain。Theairoftheroomwasheavywiththepresenceofthetwoself-
　　conscioushumanbeings，andthemanhurriedaway。
　　Thedeadwoman'ssonsatdowninachairandlookedatthefloor。Heagainthoughtofhisownaffairsanddefinitelydecidedhewouldmakeachangeinhisfife，thathewouldleaveWinesburg。
　　"Iwillgotosomecity。PerhapsIcangetajobonsomenewspaper，"hethought，andthenhismindturnedtothegirlwithwhomhewastohavespentthiseveningandagainhewashalfangryattheturnofeventsthathadpreventedhisgoingtoher。
　　Inthedimlylightedroomwiththedeadwomantheyoungmanbegantohavethoughts。Hismindplayedwiththoughtsoflifeashismother'smindhadplayedwiththethoughtofdeath。HeclosedhiseyesandimaginedthattheredyounglipsofHelenWhitetouchedhisownlips。Hisbodytrembledandhishandsshook。Andthensomethinghappened。
　　Theboysprangtohisfeetandstoodstiffly。Helookedatthefigureofthedeadwomanunderthesheetsandshameforhisthoughtssweptoverhimsothathebegantoweep。Anewnotioncameintohismindandheturnedandlookedguiltilyaboutasthoughafraidhewouldbeobserved。
　　GeorgeWillardbecamepossessedofamadnesstoliftthesheetfromthebodyofhismotherandlookatherface。Thethoughtthathadcomeintohismindgrippedhimterribly。Hebecameconvincedthatnothismotherbutsomeoneelselayinthebedbeforehim。Theconvictionwassorealthatitwasalmostunbearable。Thebodyunderthesheetswaslongandindeathlookedyoungandgraceful。Totheboy，heldbysomestrangefancy，itwasunspeakablylovely。Thefeelingthatthebodybeforehimwasalive，thatinanothermomentalovelywomanwouldspringoutofthebedandconfronthim，be-
　　camesooverpoweringthathecouldnotbearthesuspense。Againandagainheputouthishand。
　　Oncehetouchedandhalfliftedthewhitesheetthatcoveredher，buthiscouragefailedandhe，likeDoc-
　　torReefy，turnedandwentoutoftheroom。Inthehallwayoutsidethedoorhestoppedandtrembledsothathehadtoputahandagainstthewalltosupporthimself。"That'snotmymother。That'snotmymotherinthere，"hewhisperedtohimselfandagainhisbodyshookwithfrightanduncertainty。
　　WhenAuntElizabethSwift，whohadcometowatchoverthebody，cameoutofanadjoiningroomheputhishandintohersandbegantosob，shakinghisheadfromsidetoside，halfblindwithgrief。"Mymotherisdead，"hesaid，andthenforgettingthewomanheturnedandstaredatthedoorthroughwhichhehadjustcome。"Thedear，thedear，ohthelovelydear，"theboy，urgedbysomeimpulseoutsidehimself，mutteredaloud。
　　AsfortheeighthundreddollarsthedeadwomanhadkepthiddensolongandthatwastogiveGeorgeWillardhisstartinthecity，itlayinthetinboxbehindtheplasterbythefootofhismother'sbed。Elizabethhadputitthereaweekafterhermar-
　　riage，breakingtheplasterawaywithastick。Thenshegotoneoftheworkmenherhusbandwasatthattimeemployingaboutthehoteltomendthewall。"Ijammedthecornerofthebedagainstit，"
　　shehadexplainedtoherhusband，unableatthemomenttogiveupherdreamofrelease，thereleasethatafterallcametoherbuttwiceinherlife，inthemomentswhenherloversDeathandDoctorReefyheldherintheirarms。
　　SOPHISTICATION
　　ITWASEARLYeveningofadayin，thelatefallandtheWinesburgCountyFairhadbroughtcrowdsofcountrypeopleintotown。Thedayhadbeenclearandthenightcameonwarmandpleasant。OntheTrunionPike，wheretheroadafteritlefttownstretchedawaybetweenberryfieldsnowcoveredwithdrybrownleaves，thedustfrompassingwag-
　　onsaroseinclouds。Children，curledintolittleballs，sleptonthestrawscatteredonwagonbeds。Theirhairwasfullofdustandtheirfingersblackandsticky。Thedustrolledawayoverthefieldsandthedepartingsunsetitablazewithcolors。
　　InthemainstreetofWinesburgcrowdsfilledthestoresandthesidewalks。Nightcameon，horseswhinnied，theclerksinthestoresranmadlyabout，childrenbecamelostandcriedlustily，anAmericantownworkedterriblyatthetaskofamusingitself。
　　PushinghiswaythroughthecrowdsinMainStreet，youngGeorgeWillardconcealedhimselfinthestairwayleadingtoDoctorReefy'sofficeandlookedatthepeople。Withfeverisheyeshewatchedthefacesdriftingpastunderthestorelights。
　　Thoughtskeptcomingintohisheadandhedidnotwanttothink。Hestampedimpatientlyonthewoodenstepsandlookedsharplyabout。"Well，isshegoingtostaywithhimallday？HaveIdoneallthiswaitingfornothing？"hemuttered。
　　GeorgeWillard，theOhiovillageboy，wasfastgrowingintomanhoodandnewthoughtshadbeencomingintohismind。Allthatday，amidthejamofpeopleattheFair，hehadgoneaboutfeelinglonely。
　　HewasabouttoleaveWinesburgtogoawaytosomecitywherehehopedtogetworkonacitynewspaperandhefeltgrownup。Themoodthathadtakenpossessionofhimwasathingknowntomenandunknowntoboys。Hefeltoldandalittletired。Memoriesawokeinhim。Tohismindhisnewsenseofmaturitysethimapart，madeofhimahalf-
　　tragicfigure。Hewantedsomeonetounderstandthefeelingthathadtakenpossessionofhimafterhismother'sdeath。
　　Thereisatimeinthelifeofeveryboywhenheforthefirsttimetakesthebackwardviewoflife。
　　Perhapsthatisthemomentwhenhecrossesthelineintomanhood。Theboyiswalkingthroughthestreetofhistown。Heisthinkingofthefutureandofthefigurehewillcutintheworld。Ambitionsandre-
　　gretsawakewithinhim。Suddenlysomethinghap-
　　pens；hestopsunderatreeandwaitsasforavoicecallinghisname。Ghostsofoldthingscreepintohisconsciousness；thevoicesoutsideofhimselfwhisperamessageconcerningthelimitationsoflife。Frombeingquitesureofhimselfandhisfuturehebe-
　　comesnotatallsure。Ifhebeanimaginativeboyadooristomopenandforthefirsttimehelooksoutupontheworld，seeing，asthoughtheymarchedinprocessionbeforehim，thecountlessfiguresofmenwhobeforehistimehavecomeoutofnothingnessintotheworld，livedtheirlivesandagaindisap-
　　pearedintonothingness。Thesadnessofsophistica-
　　tionhascometotheboy。Withalittlegaspheseeshimselfasmerelyaleafblownbythewindthroughthestreetsofhisvillage。Heknowsthatinspiteofallthestouttalkofhisfellowshemustliveanddieinuncertainty，athingblownbythewinds，athingdestinedlikecorntowiltinthesun。Heshiversandlookseagerlyabout。Theeighteenyearshehaslivedseembutamoment，abreathingspaceinthelongmarchofhumanity。Alreadyhehearsdeathcalling。
　　Withallhishearthewantstocomeclosetosomeotherhuman，touchsomeonewithhishands，betouchedbythehandofanother。Ifheprefersthattheotherbeawoman，thatisbecausehebelievesthatawomanwillbegentle，thatshewillunder-
　　stand。Hewants，mostofall，understanding。
　　WhenthemomentofsophisticationcametoGeorgeWillardhismindturnedtoHelenWhite，theWines-
　　burgbanker'sdaughter。Alwayshehadbeencon-
　　sciousofthegirlgrowingintowomanhoodashegrewintomanhood。Onceonasummernightwhenhewaseighteen，hehadwalkedwithheronacoun-
　　tryroadandinherpresencehadgivenwaytoanimpulsetoboast，tomakehimselfappearbigandsignificantinhereyes。Nowhewantedtoseeherforanotherpurpose。Hewantedtotellherofthenewimpulsesthathadcometohim。Hehadtriedtomakeherthinkofhimasamanwhenheknewnothingofmanhoodandnowhewantedtobewithherandtotrytomakeherfeelthechangehebe-
　　lievedhadtakenplaceinhisnature。
　　AsforHelenWhite，shealsohadcometoaperiodofchange。WhatGeorgefelt，sheinheryoungwom-
　　an'swayfeltalso。Shewasnolongeragirlandhungeredtoreachintothegraceandbeautyofwomanhood。ShehadcomehomefromCleveland，whereshewasattendingcollege，tospendadayattheFair。Shealsohadbeguntohavememories。Dur-
　　ingthedayshesatinthegrand-standwithayoungman，oneoftheinstructorsfromthecollege，whowasaguestofhermother's。Theyoungmanwasofapedanticturnofmindandshefeltatoncehewouldnotdoforherpurpose。AttheFairshewasgladtobeseeninhiscompanyashewaswelldressedandastranger。Sheknewthatthefactofhispresencewouldcreateanimpression。Duringthedayshewashappy，butwhennightcameonshebegantogrowrestless。Shewantedtodrivethein-
　　structoraway，togetoutofhispresence。Whiletheysattogetherinthegrand-standandwhiletheeyesofformerschoolmateswereuponthem，shepaidsomuchattentiontoherescortthathegrewinterested。
　　"Ascholarneedsmoney。Ishouldmarryawomanwithmoney，"hemused。
　　HelenWhitewasthinkingofGeorgeWillardevenashewanderedgloomilythroughthecrowdsthink-
　　ingofher。Sherememberedthesummereveningwhentheyhadwalkedtogetherandwantedtowalkwithhimagain。Shethoughtthatthemonthsshehadspentinthecity，thegoingtotheatersandtheseeingofgreatcrowdswanderinginlightedthor-
　　oughfares，hadchangedherprofoundly。Shewantedhimtofeelandbeconsciousofthechangeinhernature。
　　Thesummereveningtogetherthathadleftitsmarkonthememoryofboththeyoungmanandwomanhad，whenlookedatquitesensibly，beenratherstupidlyspent。Theyhadwalkedoutoftownalongacountryroad。ThentheyhadstoppedbyafencenearafieldofyoungcornandGeorgehadtakenoffhiscoatandletithangonhisarm。"Well，I'vestayedhereinWinesburg——yes——I'venotyetgoneawaybutI'mgrowingup，"hehadsaid。"I'vebeenreadingbooksandI'vebeenthinking。I'mgoingtotrytoamounttosomethinginlife。
　　"Well，"heexplained，"thatisn'tthepoint。Per-
　　hapsI'dbetterquittalking。"
　　Theconfusedboyputhishandonthegirl'sarm。
　　Hisvoicetrembled。Thetwostartedtowalkbackalongtheroadtowardtown。InhisdesperationGeorgeboasted，"I'mgoingtobeabigman，thebiggestthateverlivedhereinWinesburg，"hede-
　　clared。"Iwantyoutodosomething，Idon'tknowwhat。Perhapsitisnoneofmybusiness。Iwantyoutotrytobedifferentfromotherwomen。Youseethepoint。It'snoneofmybusinessItellyou。Iwantyoutobeabeautifulwoman。YouseewhatIwant。"
　　Theboy'svoicefailedandinsilencethetwocamebackintotownandwentalongthestreettoHelenWhite'shouse。Atthegatehetriedtosaysomethingimpressive。Speecheshehadthoughtoutcameintohishead，buttheyseemedutterlypointless。"I
　　thought——Iusedtothink——IhaditinmymindyouwouldmarrySethRichmond。NowIknowyouwon't，"wasallhecouldfindtosayasshewentthroughthegateandtowardthedoorofherhouse。
　　Onthewarmfalleveningashestoodinthestair-
　　wayandlookedatthecrowddriftingthroughMainStreet，Georgethoughtofthetalkbesidethefieldofyoungcornandwasashamedofthefigurehehadmadeofhimself。Inthestreetthepeoplesurgedupanddownlikecattleconfinedinapen。Buggiesandwagonsalmostfilledthenarrowthoroughfare。A
　　bandplayedandsmallboysracedalongtheside-
　　walk，divingbetweenthelegsofmen。Youngmenwithshiningredfaceswalkedawkwardlyaboutwithgirlsontheirarms。Inaroomaboveoneofthestores，whereadancewastobeheld，thefiddlerstunedtheirinstruments。Thebrokensoundsfloateddownthroughanopenwindowandoutacrossthemurmurofvoicesandtheloudblareofthehornsoftheband。ThemedleyofsoundsgotonyoungWillard'snerves。Everywhere，onallsides，thesenseofcrowding，movinglifeclosedinabouthim。Hewantedtorunawaybyhimselfandthink。"Ifshewantstostaywiththatfellowshemay。WhyshouldIcare？Whatdifferencedoesitmaketome？"hegrowledandwentalongMainStreetandthroughHern'sGroceryintoasidestreet。
　　Georgefeltsoutterlylonelyanddejectedthathewantedtoweepbutpridemadehimwalkrapidlyalong，swinginghisarms。HecametoWesleyMoy-
　　er'sliverybarnandstoppedintheshadowstolistentoagroupofmenwhotalkedofaraceWesley'sstallion，TonyTip，hadwonattheFairduringtheafternoon。AcrowdhadgatheredinfrontofthebarnandbeforethecrowdwalkedWesley，prancingupanddownboasting。Heheldawhipinhishandandkepttappingtheground。Littlepuffsofdustaroseinthelamplight。"Hell，quityourtalking，"
　　Wesleyexclaimed。"Iwasn'tafraid，IknewIhad'embeatallthetime。Iwasn'tafraid。"
　　OrdinarilyGeorgeWillardwouldhavebeenin-
　　tenselyinterestedintheboastingofMoyer，thehorseman。Nowitmadehimangry。Heturnedandhurriedawayalongthestreet。"Oldwindbag，"hesputtered。"Whydoeshewanttobebragging？Whydon'theshutup？"
　　Georgewentintoavacantlotand，ashehurriedalong，felloverapileofrubbish。Anailprotrudingfromanemptybarreltorehistrousers。Hesatdownonthegroundandswore。Withapinhemendedthetornplaceandthenaroseandwenton。"I'llgotoHelenWhite'shouse，that'swhatI'lldo。I'llwalkrightin。I'llsaythatIwanttoseeher。I'llwalkrightinandsitdown，that'swhatI'lldo，"hedeclared，climbingoverafenceandbeginningtorun。
　　OntheverandaofBankerWhite'shouseHelenwasrestlessanddistraught。Theinstructorsatbe-
　　tweenthemotheranddaughter。Histalkweariedthegirl。AlthoughhehadalsobeenraisedinanOhiotown，theinstructorbegantoputontheairsofthecity。Hewantedtoappearcosmopolitan。"I
　　likethechanceyouhavegivenmetostudytheback-
　　groundoutofwhichmostofourgirlscome，"hedeclared。"Itwasgoodofyou，Mrs。White，tohavemedownfortheday。"HeturnedtoHelenandlaughed。"Yourlifeisstillboundupwiththelifeofthistown？"heasked。"Therearepeoplehereinwhomyouareinterested？"Tothegirlhisvoicesoundedpompousandheavy。
　　Helenaroseandwentintothehouse。Atthedoorleadingtoagardenatthebackshestoppedandstoodlistening。Hermotherbegantotalk。"ThereisnooneherefittoassociatewithagirlofHelen'sbreeding，"shesaid。
　　Helenrandownaflightofstairsatthebackofthehouseandintothegarden。Inthedarknessshestoppedandstoodtrembling。Itseemedtoherthattheworldwasfullofmeaninglesspeoplesayingwords。Afirewitheagernesssheranthroughagar-
　　dengateand，turningacornerbythebanker'sbarn，wentintoalittlesidestreet。"George!Whereareyou，George？"shecried，filledwithnervousexcite-
　　ment。Shestoppedrunning，andleanedagainstatreetolaughhysterically。AlongthedarklittlestreetcameGeorgeWillard，stillsayingwords。"I'mgoingtowalkrightintoherhouse。I'llgorightinandsitdown，"hedeclaredashecameuptoher。Hestoppedandstaredstupidly。"Comeon，"hesaidandtookholdofherhand。Withhangingheadstheywalkedawayalongthestreetunderthetrees。Dryleavesrustledunderfoot。NowthathehadfoundherGeorgewonderedwhathehadbetterdoandsay。
　　AttheupperendoftheFairGround，inWines-
　　burg，thereisahalfdecayedoldgrand-stand。Ithasneverbeenpaintedandtheboardsareallwarpedoutofshape。TheFairGroundstandsontopofalowhillrisingoutofthevalleyofWineCreekandfromthegrand-standonecanseeatnight，overacornfield，thelightsofthetownreflectedagainstthesky。
　　GeorgeandHelenclimbedthehilltotheFairGround，comingbythepathpastWaterworksPond。
　　ThefeelingoflonelinessandisolationthathadcometotheyoungmaninthecrowdedstreetsofhistownwasbothbrokenandintensifiedbythepresenceofHelen。Whathefeltwasreflectedinher。
　　Inyouththerearealwaystwoforcesfightinginpeople。Thewarmunthinkinglittleanimalstrugglesagainstthethingthatreflectsandremembers，andtheolder，themoresophisticatedthinghadposses-
　　sionofGeorgeWillard。Sensinghismood，Helenwalkedbesidehimfilledwithrespect。Whentheygottothegrand-standtheyclimbedupundertheroofandsatdownononeofthelongbench-likeseats。
　　ThereissomethingmemorableintheexperiencetobehadbygoingintoafairgroundthatstandsattheedgeofaMiddleWesterntownonanightaftertheannualfairhasbeenheld。Thesensationisonenevertobeforgotten。Onallsidesareghosts，notofthedead，butoflivingpeople。Here，duringthedayjustpassed，havecomethepeoplepouringinfromthetownandthecountryaround。Farmerswiththeirwivesandchildrenandallthepeoplefromthehundredsoflittleframehouseshavegath-
　　eredwithintheseboardwalls。Younggirlshavelaughedandmenwithbeardshavetalkedoftheaffairsoftheirlives。Theplacehasbeenfilledtooverflowingwithlife。Ithasitchedandsquirmedwithlifeandnowitisnightandthelifehasallgoneaway。Thesilenceisalmostterrifying。Oneconcealsoneselfstandingsilentlybesidethetrunkofatreeandwhatthereisofareflectivetendencyinhisna-
　　tureisintensified。Oneshuddersatthethoughtofthemeaninglessnessoflifewhileatthesamein-
　　stant，andifthepeopleofthetownarehispeople，oneloveslifesointenselythattearscomeintotheeyes。
　　Inthedarknessundertheroofofthegrand-stand，GeorgeWillardsatbesideHelenWhiteandfeltverykeenlyhisowninsignificanceintheschemeofexis-
　　tence。Nowthathehadcomeoutoftownwherethepresenceofthepeoplestirringabout，busywithamultitudeofaffairs，hadbeensoirritating，theirritationwasallgone。ThepresenceofHelenre-
　　newedandrefreshedhim。Itwasasthoughherwoman'shandwasassistinghimtomakesomemi-
　　nutereadjustmentofthemachineryofhislife。Hebegantothinkofthepeopleinthetownwherehehadalwayslivedwithsomethinglikereverence。
　　HehadreverenceforHelen。Hewantedtoloveandtobelovedbyher，buthedidnotwantatthemo-
　　menttobeconfusedbyherwomanhood。Inthedarknesshetookholdofherhandandwhenshecreptcloseputahandonhershoulder。Awindbegantoblowandheshivered。Withallhisstrengthhetriedtoholdandtounderstandthemoodthathadcomeuponhim。Inthathighplaceinthedark-
　　nessthetwooddlysensitivehumanatomsheldeachothertightlyandwaited。Inthemindofeachwasthesamethought。"Ihavecometothislonelyplaceandhereisthisother，"wasthesubstanceofthethingfelt。
　　InWinesburgthecrowdeddayhadrunitselfoutintothelongnightofthelatefall。Farmhorsesjoggedawayalonglonelycountryroadspullingtheirportionofwearypeople。Clerksbegantobringsam-
　　plesofgoodsinoffthesidewalksandlockthedoorsofstores。IntheOperaHouseacrowdhadgatheredtoseeashowandfurtherdownMainStreetthefiddlers，theirinstrumentstuned，sweatedandworkedtokeepthefeetofyouthflyingoveradancefloor。
　　Inthedarknessinthegrand-standHelenWhiteandGeorgeWillardremainedsilent。Nowandthenthespellthatheldthemwasbrokenandtheyturnedandtriedinthedimlighttoseeintoeachother'seyes。Theykissedbutthatimpulsedidnotlast。AttheupperendoftheFairGroundahalfdozenmenworkedoverhorsesthathadracedduringtheafter-
　　noon。Themenhadbuiltafireandwereheatingkettlesofwater。Onlytheirlegscouldbeseenastheypassedbackandforthinthelight。Whenthewindblewthelittleflamesofthefiredancedcrazilyabout。
　　GeorgeandHelenaroseandwalkedawayintothedarkness。Theywentalongapathpastafieldofcornthathadnotyetbeencut。Thewindwhisperedamongthedrycornblades。Foramomentduringthewalkbackintotownthespellthatheldthemwasbroken。WhentheyhadcometothecrestofWaterworksHilltheystoppedbyatreeandGeorgeagainputhishandsonthegirl'sshoulders。Sheem-
　　bracedhimeagerlyandthenagaintheydrewquicklybackfromthatimpulse。Theystoppedkiss-
　　ingandstoodalittleapart。Mutualrespectgrewbiginthem。Theywerebothembarrassedandtorelievetheirembarrassmentdroppedintotheanimalismofyouth。Theylaughedandbegantopullandhaulateachother。Insomewaychastenedandpurifiedbythemoodtheyhadbeenin，theybecame，notmanandwoman，notboyandgirl，butexcitedlittleanimals。
　　Itwassotheywentdownthehill。Inthedarknesstheyplayedliketwosplendidyoungthingsinayoungworld。Once，runningswiftlyforward，HelentrippedGeorgeandhefell。Hesquirmedandshouted。
　　Shakingwithlaughter，heroileddownthehill。
　　Helenranafterhim。Forjustamomentshestoppedinthedarkness。Therewasnowayofknowingwhatwoman'sthoughtswentthroughhermindbut，whenthebottomofthehillwasreachedandshecameuptotheboy，shetookhisarmandwalkedbesidehimindignifiedsilence。Forsomereasontheycouldnothaveexplainedtheyhadbothgotfromtheirsilenteveningtogetherthethingneeded。
　　Manorboy，womanorgirl，theyhadforamomenttakenholdofthethingthatmakesthematurelifeofmenandwomeninthemodernworldpossible。
　　DEPARTURE
　　YOUNGGEORGEWILLARDgotoutofbedatfourinthemorning。ItwasAprilandtheyoungtreeleaveswerejustcomingoutoftheirbuds。ThetreesalongtheresidencestreetsinWinesburgaremapleandtheseedsarewinged。Whenthewindblowstheywhirlcrazilyabout，fillingtheairandmakingacar-
　　petunderfoot。
　　Georgecamedownstairsintothehotelofficecar-
　　ryingabrownleatherbag。Histrunkwaspackedfordeparture。Sincetwoo'clockhehadbeenawakethinkingofthejourneyhewasabouttotakeandwonderingwhathewouldfindattheendofhisjourney。Theboywhosleptinthehotelofficelayonacotbythedoor。Hismouthwasopenandhesnoredlustily。Georgecreptpastthecotandwentoutintothesilentdesertedmainstreet。Theeastwaspinkwiththedawnandlongstreaksoflightclimbedintotheskywhereafewstarsstillshone。
　　BeyondthelasthouseonTrunionPikeinWines-
　　burgthereisagreatstretchofopenfields。ThefieldsareownedbyfarmerswholiveintownanddrivehomewardateveningalongTrunionPikeinlightcreakingwagons。Inthefieldsareplantedberriesandsmallfruits。Inthelateafternooninthehotsummerswhentheroadandthefieldsarecoveredwithdust，asmokyhazeliesoverthegreatflatbasinofland。Tolookacrossitislikelookingoutacrossthesea。Inthespringwhenthelandisgreentheeffectissomewhatdifferent。Thelandbecomesawidegreenbilliardtableonwhichtinyhumanin-
　　sectstoilupanddown。
　　AllthroughhisboyhoodandyoungmanhoodGeorgeWillardhadbeeninthehabitofwalkingonTrunionPike。Hehadbeeninthemidstofthegreatopenplaceonwinternightswhenitwascoveredwithsnowandonlythemoonlookeddownathim；
　　hehadbeenthereinthefallwhenbleakwindsblewandonsummereveningswhentheairvibratedwiththesongofinsects。OntheAprilmorninghewantedtogothereagain，towalkagaininthesilence。Hedidwalktowheretheroaddippeddownbyalittlestreamtwomilesfromtownandthenturnedandwalkedsilentlybackagain。WhenhegottoMainStreetclerksweresweepingthesidewalksbeforethestores。"Hey，youGeorge。Howdoesitfeeltobegoingaway？"theyasked。
　　ThewestboundtrainleavesWinesburgatsevenforty-fiveinthemorning。TomLittleisconductor。
　　HistrainrunsfromClevelandtowhereitconnectswithagreattrunklinerailroadwithterminalsinChicagoandNewYork。Tomhaswhatinrailroadcirclesiscalledan"easyrun。"Everyeveninghereturnstohisfamily。InthefallandspringhespendshisSundaysfishinginLakeErie。Hehasaroundredfaceandsmallblueeyes。Heknowsthepeopleinthetownsalonghisrailroadbetterthanacitymanknowsthepeoplewholiveinhisapart-
　　mentbuilding。
　　GeorgecamedownthelittleinclinefromtheNewWillardHouseatseveno'clock。TomWillardcarriedhisbag。Thesonhadbecometallerthanthefather。
　　Onthestationplatformeveryoneshooktheyoungman'shand。Morethanadozenpeoplewaitedabout。Thentheytalkedoftheirownaffairs。EvenWillHenderson，whowaslazyandoftensleptuntilnine，hadgotoutofbed。Georgewasembarrassed。
　　GertrudeWilmot，atallthinwomanoffiftywhoworkedintheWinesburgpostoffice，camealongthestationplatform。ShehadneverbeforepaidanyattentiontoGeorge。Nowshestoppedandputoutherhand。Intwowordsshevoicedwhateveryonefelt。"Goodluck，"shesaidsharplyandthenturningwentonherway。
　　WhenthetraincameintothestationGeorgefeltrelieved。Hescamperedhurriedlyaboard。HelenWhitecamerunningalongMainStreethopingtohaveapartingwordwithhim，buthehadfoundaseatanddidnotseeher。WhenthetrainstartedTomLittlepunchedhisticket，grinnedand，althoughheknewGeorgewellandknewonwhatadventurehewasjustsettingout，madenocomment。TomhadseenathousandGeorgeWillardsgooutoftheirtownstothecity。Itwasacommonplaceenoughincidentwithhim。InthesmokingcartherewasamanwhohadjustinvitedTomtogoonafishingtriptoSanduskyBay。Hewantedtoaccepttheinvi-
　　tationandtalkoverdetails。
　　Georgeglancedupanddownthecartobesurenoonewaslooking，thentookouthispocketbookandcountedhismoney。Hismindwasoccupiedwithadesirenottoappeargreen。Almostthelastwordshisfatherhadsaidtohimconcernedthemat-
　　terofhisbehaviorwhenhegottothecity。"Beasharpone，"TomWillardhadsaid。"Keepyoureyesonyourmoney。Beawake。That'stheticket。Don'tletanyonethinkyou'reagreenhorn。"
　　AfterGeorgecountedhismoneyhelookedoutofthewindowandwassurprisedtoseethatthetrainwasstillinWinesburg。
　　Theyoungman，goingoutofhistowntomeettheadventureoflife，begantothinkbuthedidnotthinkofanythingverybigordramatic。Thingslikehismother'sdeath，hisdeparturefromWinesburg，theuncertaintyofhisfuturelifeinthecity，theseri-
　　ousandlargeraspectsofhislifedidnotcomeintohismind。
　　Hethoughtoflittlethings——TurkSmolletwheel-
　　ingboardsthroughthemainstreetofhistowninthemorning，atallwoman，beautifullygowned，whohadoncestayedovernightathisfather'shotel，ButchWheelerthelamplighterofWinesburghur-
　　ryingthroughthestreetsonasummereveningandholdingatorchinhishand，HelenWhitestandingbyawindowintheWinesburgpostofficeandput-
　　tingastamponanenvelope。
　　Theyoungman'smindwascarriedawaybyhisgrowingpassionfordreams。Onelookingathimwouldnothavethoughthimparticularlysharp。
　　Withtherecollectionoflittlethingsoccupyinghismindheclosedhiseyesandleanedbackinthecarseat。HestayedthatwayforalongtimeandwhenhearousedhimselfandagainlookedoutofthecarwindowthetownofWinesburghaddisappearedandhislifetherehadbecomebutabackgroundonwhichtopaintthedreamsofhismanhood。