Thusitcametopassthat，afterthefirstspurt，thebusinessfellbacktoaboutwhereithadbeenbeforeSusancame。
　　Albert，theAustrianwaiter，explainedtoSusanwhyitwasthatherpopularitydidthehouseapparentlysolittlegood——explainedwithtruthwhereshesuspectedkind-heartedplotting，thatshehadarresteditslatterlyswift-downwardslide。Shewasgladtohearwhathehadtosay，asitwasmostpleasanttohervanity；butshecouldnotgetoverthedepressionofthecentralfact——shewasnotmakingthesortofbusinesstojustifyaskingLangeformorethanboardandlodging；
　　shewasnotinthewayofmakingthemoneythatwaseachdaymorenecessary，asherlittlestoredwindled。
　　Thequestionofgettingmoneytoliveonisusuallydismissedinaprincelywaybywritersabouthumanlife。Itisinreality，exceptwiththefewrich，theever-presentquestion——asever-presentasthenecessityofbreathing——anditisnot，likebreathing，amattersettledautomatically。Itdominatesthought；itdeterminesaction。Toleaveitoutofaccountever，inwritingahumanhistory，istomisrepresentanddistortasutterlyaswouldaportraitpainterwhoneglectedtogivehissubjecteyes，orahead，even。Withtheoverwhelmingmassofus，moneyisatalltimesallourliveslongtheparamountquestion——fortobewithoutitisdestructionworsethandeath，andwearealmostallperilouslyneartobeingwithoutit。Thus，airilytopassjudgmentuponmenandwomenastotheirdoingsingettingmoneyfornecessaries，forwhatthecompulsionofcustomandhabithasmadenecessariestothem——airilytojudgethemfortheirdoingsinsuchdirestraitsislikesittingcalmlyonshoreandcriticizingtheconductofpassengersandsailorsinastormbesetsinkingship。Itisoneofthefavoritepastimesofthecomfortableclasses；itmakesanexcellentimpressionastoone”svirtueuponone”saudience；itgivesusapleasingsenseofsuperiordelicacyandhumor。Butitisnonethelessmeanandridiculous。Insteadofcondemnation，theworldneedstobestiritselftoremovethestupidandcruelcreaturesthatmakeevilconductnecessary；forcananyone，notaprig，saythatthesmallpartofthehumanracethatdoeswelldoessobecauseitisnaturallybetterthanthelargepartthatdoesill？
　　Springwasslowinopening。Susan”sonedresswasinadeplorablestate。Thelininghunginrags。Thenevergoodmaterialwasstretchedoutofshape，wasfrayedandworngrayinspots，wasbeyondbeingmadeupaspresentablebythemostcarefulpressingandcleaning。Shehadbeenforcedtobuyahat，shoes，underclothes。Shehadonlythreedollarsandafewcentsleft，andshesimplydidnotdarelayitalloutindressmaterials。Yet，lessthanallwouldnotbeenough；allwouldnotbeenough。
　　Langehadfromtimetotimemorethanhintedattheopportunitiesshewashavingasapublicsingerinhishall。
　　ButSusan，forallherexperience，hadremainedoneofthoseuponwhomsuchopportunitiesmustbethrustiftheyaretobeaccepted。
　　Solongasshehadfoodandshelter，shecouldnotmakeadvances；shecouldnotevengosofaraspassiveacquiescence。
　　Sheknewshewasagainviolatingthefundamentalcanonofsuccess；whateverone”sbusiness，doitthoroughlyifatall。
　　Butshecouldnotovercomehertemperamentwhichhadatthisfeebleandfalseopportunityatonceresenteditself。Sheknewperfectlythatthereinwasthewholecauseofherfailuretomakethesuccesssheoughttohavemadewhenshecameupfromthetenements，andagainwhenshefellintotheclutchesofFreddiePalmer。Butitisonethingtoknow；itisanotherthingtodo。Susanignoredtheattemptsofthemen；shepretendednottounderstandLangewhentheysethimontointercedewithherforthem。Shesawthatshewasoncemoredriftingtodisaster——andthatshehadnotlongtodrift。Shewasexasperatedagainstherself；shewasdisgustedwithherself。Butshedriftedon。
　　Growingseedierlookingeveryday，shewaited，defyingtheplainteachingsofexperience。Sheeventhoughtseriouslyofgoingtowork。Butthesituationinthatdirectionremainedunchanged。Shewasseeingthings，thereasonsforthings，moreclearlynow，asexperiencedevelopedhermind。Shefeltthattogetoninrespectabilitysheoughttohavebeeneithermoreorlesseducated。Ifshehadbeenusedfrombirthtoconditionsbutastepremovedfromsavagery，shemighthavebeencontentwithwhatoffered，mightevenhavefeltthatshewasrising。Orifshehadbeenbredtoagoodtrade，andeducatedonlytothepointwherehersmallearningscouldhavesatisfiedherdesires，thenshemighthavegotalonginrespectability。Butshehadbeenbreda“lady“；aChinesewomanwhosefeethavebeenboundfrombabyhooduntilherfifteenthorsixteenthyear——howlongitwouldbe，afterherfeetwerefreed，beforeshecouldlearntowalkatall！——andwouldsheeverbeabletolearntowalkwell？
　　Whatisluxuryforoneissqualorforanother；whatiselevationforonedegradesanother。Inrespectabilityshecouldnotearnwhatwasbarestnecessityforher——whatshewasnowgettingatLange”s——decentshelter，passablefood。Ejectedfromherownclassthatsheltersitswomenandbringsthemupinunfitnessfortheunshelteredlife，shewasdroppingasallsuchwomenmustanddodrop——wasgoingdown，down，down——strikingonthisledgeandthat，andreboundingtoresumehereverdownwardcourse。
　　Shesawherownplightonlytoovividly。Thosewhoseoutwardandinwardlivesarewideapartgetastrongsenseofdualpersonality。ItwasthuswithSusan。Thereweretimeswhenshecouldnotbelieveintherealityofherexternallife。
　　Sheoftenglancedthroughthecolumnsoncolumns，pagesonpagesof“wantads“inthepapers——notwiththeideaofansweringthem，forshehadservedherapprenticeshipatthat，butsimplytoforceherselftorealizevividlyjusthowmattersstoodwithher。Thosecolumnsandpagesofcloselyprintedofferingsofwork！Drearytasks，allofthem——tasksdevoidofinterest，ofpersonalsenseofusefulness，taskssimplytokeepdegradingsoulindegeneratingbody，tasksperformedinfilthyfactories，infoul-smellingworkroomsandshops，inunhealthfulsurroundings。Andthis，throughoutcivilization，wasthe“honestwork“sopraised——byallwhodon”tdoit，butlivepleasantlybymakingothersdoit。Wasn”ttheresomethingintheideasofEtta”sfather，oldTomBrashear？Couldn”tsensible，reallylovingpeopledevisesomewayofmakingmosttaskslessrepulsive，oflesseningtheburdensofthosetasksthatcouldn”tbeanythingbutrepulsive？Wasthisstupidsystem，socruel，socrushing，andproducingatthetopsuchabsurdresultsasflashy，insolentautosandsillypalacesandoverfed，overdressedwomen，anddogsinjeweledcollars，andbabiesofwealthbroughtupbylowmenials——wasthissystemreallythebest？
　　“Ifthey”dstopcantingabout`honestwork”theymightbegintogetsomewhere。”
　　Intheefforttopreventherdownwarddropfrombeginningagainshesearchedalltheoccupationsopentoher。Shecouldnotfindonethatwouldnothavemeantonlythemostvisionaryprospectofsomeslightremoteadvancement，andthecertainandspeedydestructionofwhatshenowrealizedwasherchiefassetandhope——herpersonalappearance。Andsheresolvedthatshewouldnotevenendangeriteveragain。ThelargestpartofthelittlecapitalshetookawayfromForty-thirdStreethadgonetoadentistwhoputinseveralfillingsofherbackteeth。
　　Shehadlearnedtovalueeverycharm——hair，teeth，eyes，skin，figure，hands。Shewatchedoverthemall，becauseshefeltthatwhenherdayfinallycame——andcomeitwould，sheneverallowedlongtodoubt——shemustbereadytoenterfullyintoherown。Herday！Thedaywhenfateshouldchangethelifeheroutwardselfwouldbecompelledtolive，wouldbringitintoharmonywiththelifeofinwardself——theselfshecouldcontrol。
　　Katyhadstruckupafriendshipatonceprofitableandsentimentalwithherstagemanager。Sheoftenstayedoutallnight。OnoneofthesenightsSusan，aloneinthetinyroomandasleep，wasrousedbyfeelinghandsuponher。Shestarteduphalfawakeandscreamed。
　　“Sh！“cameinLange”svoice。“It”sme。”
　　Susanhadlatterlyobservedslyattemptsonhisparttomakeadvanceswithouthiswifeanddaughter”ssuspecting；butshehadthoughtherwayofquietlyignoringwaseffective。“Youmustgo，“shewhispered。“Mrs。Langemusthaveheard。”
　　“Ihadtocome，“saidhehoarsely，amerevoiceinthedarkness。“Ican”tholdoutnolongerwithoutyou，Lorna。”
　　“Go——go，“urgedSusan。
　　Butitwastoolate。Inthedoorway，candleinhand，appearedMrs。Lange。Despitehereffortsat“dressiness“shewasinherbesthourhomelyandnearlyshapeless。Innightdressandreleasedfromcorsetsshewashideousandmonstrous。“I
　　thoughtso！“sheshrieked。“Ithoughtso！“
　　“Iheardaburglar，mother，“whinedLange，anabjectandguiltyfigure。
　　“Shutyourmouth，youloafer！“shriekedMrs。Lange。AndsheturnedtoSusan。“Yougutterhussy，getonyourclothesandclearout！“
　　“But——Mrs。Lange——”beganSusan。
　　“Clearout！“sheshouted，openingtheouterhall。“Dressmightydamnquickandclearout！“
　　“Mother，you”llwakethepeopleupstairs，“pleadedLange——andSusanhadneverbeforerealizedhowafraidofhiswifethelittlemanwas。“ForGod”ssake，listentosense。”
　　“AfterI”vethrownyou——intothestreets，“criedhiswife，besideherselfwithjealousfury。“Getdressed，Itellyou！“
　　sheshoutedatSusan。
　　Andthegirlhurriedintoherclothes，makingnofurtherattempttospeak。Sheknewthattopleadandtoexplainwouldbeuseless；evenifMrs。Langebelieved，stillshewoulddrivefromthehousethetemptationtoherhusband。Lange，inaquaking，cowardlywhine，beggedhiswifetobesensibleandbelievehisburglarstory。Butwitheachhalf-dozenwordsheuttered，sheinterruptedtohurlobsceneepithetsathimoratSusan。Thetenantsoftheupstairsflatscamedown。Shetoldherwrongstoadozenhalf-cladmen，womenandchildren；theytookhersideatonce，andwiththewomenleadingshoweredvileinsultsuponSusan。Theuproarwasrising，rising。Langecoweredinacorner，cryingbitterlylikeawhippedchild。
　　Susan，onlypartlydressed，caughtupherhatandrushedintothehall。Severalwomenstruckatherasshepassed。Shestumbledonthestairs，almostfellheadlong。Withthemostfrightfulwordsintenementhousevocabularypursuinghershefledintothestreet，anddidnotpauseuntilshewaswithinafewyardsoftheBowery。Thereshesatdownonadoorstepand，half-crazedbythehorrorofhersuddendownfall，lacedhershoesandbuttonedherblouseandputonherhatwithfumbling，shakingfingers。IthadallhappenedsoquicklythatshewouldhavethoughtshewasdreamingbutforthecoldnightairandthedingywasteoftheBowerywiththestreetwalkersanddrunkenbumsstrollingalongundertheelevatedtracks。Shehadtrifledwiththeopportunitytoolong。Ithadflownindisgust，dislodgingherasittookflight。Ifshewouldbeoverniceandcritical，wouldhesitatetotaketheonlyupwardpathfatesawfittooffer，then——letherseekthebottom！
　　Susanpeereddown，andshuddered。
　　Shewentintothesaloonatthecorner，intothelittlebackroom。Shepoureddowndrinkafterdrinkofthefrightfulpoisonsoldaswhiskeywiththepermissionofagovernmentownedbyeveryinterestthatcanmakebigmoneyoutofaraceoffreemenandsocanaffordtopaybigbribes。Itischaracteristicofthispoisonofthesaloonofthetenementquarterthatitproducesinanyonewhodrinksitaspeciesofquickinsanity，ofimmediatedegeneration——adesiretocommitcrime，tododegradedacts。WithinanhourofSusan”sbeingthrownintothestreets，noonewouldhaverecognizedher。Shehadbeendrinking，hadbeentreatingthetwofadedbutyounganddecentlydressedstreetwalkerswhosatatanothertable。
　　Thethree，firedandmaddenedbythepoison，wereamusingthemselvesandtwoyoungmenasrecklesslyintoxicatedasthey。
　　Susan，inanattitudeshehadseenoftenenoughbuthadneverdreamedoftaking，waslaughingwildlyatacoarsesong，wasstandingup，skirtscaughthighandbodyswayingindrunkenrhythmassheledthechorus。
　　Whenthebarkeeperannouncedclosingtime，oneoftheyoungmensaidtoher：
　　“Whichway？“
　　“Tohell，“laughedshe。“I”vebeenthrownouteverywhereelse。
　　Wanttogoalong？“
　　“I”llneverdesertaperfectlady，“repliedhe。X
　　SHEwaslikeonewhohasfallenbleedingandbrokenintoacave；whoafteratimegathershimselftogetherandcrawlstowardafaintandfardistantgleamoflight；whosuddenlyseesthelightnomoreandatthesameinstantlurchesforwardanddownintoadeeperchasm。
　　Occasionallysheerexhaustionofnervesmadeitimpossibleforhertodrinkherselfagainintoapathybeforetheeffectsofthelastdosesofthepoisonhadwornoff。Intheseintervalsofpartialawakening——sheneverpermittedthemtolengthenout，assuchsensationasshehadwasofonefalling——falling——throughemptyspace——withwhirlingbrainandstrangesoundsintheearsandstrangedistortedsightsorhallucinationsbeforetheeyes——fallingdown——down——whither？——tohowgreatadepth？——orwastherenobottom，butsimplypresentlyaplungingondownintotheblackofdeath”sbottomlessoblivion？
　　Drink——alwaysdrink。Yetineveryotherwayshetookcareofherhealth——astrangeminglingofprudenceandsubtlehopewithrecklessnessandfrankdespair。Allherrefinement，baffledinthemoralways，concentrateduponthephysical。Shewouldbeneatandwelldressed；shewouldnotletherselfbeseizedofthediseasesonthepariahinthoseregions——thediseasesthroughdirtandignoranceandindifference。
　　Intheregionsshenowfrequentedrecklessnesswasthekeynote。
　　Therewasthehilarityofthedoomed；therewasthecynicalorstolidindifferencetoheatorcold，torainorshine，torags，tofilth，tojail，toejectionfornonpaymentofrent，toinsultofwordorblow。Thefireengines——theambulance——thepatrolwagon——thecitydeadwagon——thesewerealleverpassingandrepassingthroughthoseswarmingstreets。Itwasthevastest，themostpopuloustenementareaofthecity。Itsinhabitantsrepresentedthecommonlot——foritisthecommonlotoftheoverwhelmingmassofmankindtoliveneartonakedness，toshelterlessness，tostarvation，withouteverbeingquitenakedorquiterooflessorquitestarved。Themassesareeagerforthenecessities；theclassesareeagerforthecomfortsandluxuries。Themassesareignorant；theclassesareintelligent——or，atleast，shrewd。Theunconsciousandinevitableexploitationofthemassesbytheclassesautomaticallyandofnecessitystopsjustshortofthecatastrophepoint——forthemassesmusthaveenoughtogivethemthestrengthtoworkandreproduce。TogodownthroughthesocialsystemashadSusanfromheroriginalplacewellupamongtheclassesislikedescendingfromthebeautifuldiningroomofthepalacewherethemeatisservedintasteandrefinementuponcostlydishesbywellmanneredservantstoattractivelydressedpeople——descendingalongthevariousstagesofthepreparationofthemeat，ateachstagelessofrefinementandmoreofcoarseness，untiloneatlastarrivesattheslaughterpen。Theshambles，stinkingandreekingbloodandfilth！Theshambles，withhideousgroanorshriek，ormorehideoussilentlookofagony！Theshamblesofsocietywherethebeautyandgraceandcharmofcivilizationarecreatedoutofnoisomesweatandsavagetoil，outofthehealthandstrengthofmenandwomenandchildren，outoftheirgroundupbodies，outoftheirgroundupsouls。Susanknewthoseregionswell。Shehadnotheoriesaboutthem，noresentmentagainstthefortunateclasses，nonotionthatanyotherorbettersystemmightbepossible，anyotherorbetterlifeforthemasses。Shesimplyacceptedlifeasshefoundit，liveditasbestshecould。
　　Throughoutthemassesofmankindlifeissustainedbyillusions——illusionsofabetterlottomorrow，illusionsofaheavenbeyondagrave，wherethenightmare，lifeinthebody，willendandthereality，lifeinthespirit，willbegin。Shecouldnotjointhethrongsmovingtowardchurchandsynagoguetoindulgeintheirdreamthatthepresentwasadreamfromwhichdeathwouldbeajoyfulawakening。Shealternatelypitiedandenviedthem。Shehadherowndreamthatthisdream，thepresent，wouldendinajoyfulawakeningtosuccessandfreedomandlightandbeauty。Sheadmittedtoherselfthatthedreamwasprobablyanillusion，likethatofthepiousthrongs。
　　Butshewasasunreasonablytenaciousofherdreamastheywereoftheirs。Shedreameditbecauseshewasahumanbeing——andtobehumanmeanstohope，andtohopemeanstodreamofabrighterfuturehereorhereafter，orbothhereandhereafter。
　　Theearthispeopledwithdreamers；shewasbutoneofthem。
　　Thelastthoughtofdespairastheblackearthclosesisahope，perhapsthemostcolossalofhope”sdelusions，thattherewillbeescapeinthegrave。
　　Thereisthetimewhenwehopeandknowitandbelieveinit。
　　Thereisthetimewhenwehopeandknowitbuthaveceasedtobelieveinit。Thereisthetimewhenwehope，believingthatwehavealtogetherceasedtohope。ThattimehadcomeforSusan。Sheseemedtothinkaboutthepresent。Shemovedaboutlikeasleepwalker。
　　Whatwomendidsheknow——whatmen？Sheonlydimlyrememberedfromdaytoday——fromhourtohour。Blurredfacespassedbeforeher，blurredvoicessoundedinherears，blurredpersonalitiestouchedhers。Itwaslikethejostlingofahugecrowdinnightstreets。Avaguesenseofbuffetings——ofrudecontacts——ofmomentarysensationsofpain，ofshame，ofdisgust，allbluntedandsoonforgotten。
　　Inestimatingsuffering，physicalormental，tofailtotakeintoaccountamoreimportantfactor——themercifulparalysisorpartialparalysisofanycenterofsensibility——thatisinsistentlyassaulted。
　　Shenolongerhadheadachesornauseaafterdrinkingdeeply。
　　Andwhereformerlyithadtakenmanystiffdosesofliquortogetherintothestateofrecklessnessorofindifference，shewasnowabletoputherselfintothemoodinwhichlifewasendurablewithtwoorthreedrinks，oftenwithonlyone。Themostmarkedchangewasthatneverbyanychancedidshebecomegay；theskyoverherlifewassteadilygray——grayorblack，tograyagain——neverlighter。
　　Howfarshehadfallen！Butswiftdescentorgradual，shehadadaptedherself——had，infact，learnedbymuchexperienceofdisastertomitigatethecalamities，tohavesomethingtokeepacertaindeep-lyingselfofselfsintact——unaffectedbywhatshehadbeenforcedtoundergo。Itseemedtoherthatifshecouldgetthechance——orcouldcureherselfoftheblindnesswhichwasalwayspreventingherfromseeingandseizingthechancethatdoubtlessofferedagainandagain——shecouldshedthesurfacehermodeoflifehadformedoverherandwouldfindunderneathanewrealsurface，stronger，sightly，betterabletobear——liketheskinthatformsbeneaththehealingwound。
　　Inthesetenements，asinalltenementsofalldegrees，sheandtheothersofherclasswerefiercelyresentedbytheheadsoffamilieswheretherewasanyhopelefttoimpelastrivingupward。Shehadthebestfurnishedroominthetenement。Shewasthebestdressedwoman——amarkedandinstantlyrecognizablefigurebecauseofherneatandfinerclothes。Herprofessionkeptaliveandactivetheinstinctsforcareofthepersonthateitherdidnotexistorweremomentaryandfeebleintherespectablewomen。Theslovenliness，thescurrilousnessofeventhewivesanddaughtersofthewell-to-doandtherichofthatregionwouldnothavebeentoleratedinanybuttheloweststrataofherprofession，hardlyeveninthosesoughtbymenofthelaboringclass。Also，thedeephorrorofdisease，whichherintelligenceneverforaninstantpermittedtorelaxitshold，madeherparticularandcarefulwheninothercircumstancesdrinkmighthavereducedhertosqualor。Shespentallherleisuretime——forshenolongerread——inthecareofherperson。
　　Shewaswatchedwithfrightened，yetlongingandcurious，eyesbyallthegirlswhowereatwork。Themothershatedher；manyofthemspatuponthegroundaftershehadpassed。Itwasaheart-breakingstruggle，thatofthesemotherstosavetheirdaughters，notfromprostitution，notfromlivingwithmenoutsidemarriage，notfrommoraldanger，butfromthepracticaldanger，thedangerofbringingintotheworldchildrenwithnofathertohelpfeedandclothethem。Intheopinionofthesepeople——anopinionoftenfranklyexpressed，rarelyconcealedwithanybutthethinnesthypocrisy——thelifeofprostitutionwasnotsobad。Didthelifeofvirtueofferanyattractivealternative？Whetherawomanwas“bad“or“good，“shemustliveintravailanddieinsqualortobeburiedinornearthePotter”sField。Butifthegirlstilllivingathomewerenot“good，“thatwouldmeanababytobetakencareof，wouldmeanthegirlherselfnotacontributortothefamilysupportbutadoubleburden。Andifshewentintoprostitution，wouldherfamilygetthebenefit？No。
　　Themothersmadelittleefforttosavetheirsons；theyconcentratedonthedaughters。Itwaspitifultoseehowintheirignorancetheywereunawareofthestrongestforcesworkingagainstthem。Thetalkofallthismotleyhumanity——of“good“nolessthan“bad“women，ofsteadyworkingmen，ofpoliticalheelers，thievesandbumsandrunnersfordives——wasfrankly，oftenhideously，obscene。Thejammedtogetherwayoflivingmademodestyimpossible，orscantestdecency——madethepicturesofitamongtheaspiringfew，usuallyforthebenefitofreligionorcharitablevisitors，apitiful，grotesquehypocrisy。Indeed，theprostituteclasswasthehighestinthisrespect。Thestreetwalkers，thosewhoprospered，hadbettermasters，learnedsomethingaboutthepleasuresandcharmsofprivacy，alsohadmoreleisureinwhichtothink，inhowevercrudeaway，abouttherefinementsoflife，andmoremoneywithwhichtopracticethoserefinements。Theboysfromtheearliestagewereontermsoflicentiousfreedomwiththegirls。Thefavoritechildren”sgames，oftenplayedintheopenstreetwiththeelderslookingonandlaughing，weresexgames。
　　Theverybabiesusedfoullanguage——thatis，usedthelanguagetheylearnedbothathomeandinthestreet。Itwasprimitiveman；Susanwasatthefoundationoftheworld。
　　Tospeakoftheconditionsthereasaproductofcivilizationistoshowignoranceofthehistoryofourrace，istofancythatwearecivilizedtoday，wheninfactweare——historically——inaturbulentandpainfulperiodoftransitionfromabetteryesterdaytowardatomorrowinwhichlifewillbeworthlivingasitneverhasbeenbeforeinalltheagesofduration。Inthistodayofmovementtowardcivilizationwhichbeganwiththediscoveryofironandwillendwhenweshallhavediscoveredhowtouseforthebenefitofallthemainforcesofnature——inthistodayofagitationincidenttojourneying，weareinsomerespectsbetteroff，inotherrespectsworseoff，thantheracewastenorfifteenthousandyearsago。Wehavelostmuchofthefreedomthatwasoursbeforetheriseofgovernmentsandrulingclasses；wehavegainedmuch——notsomuchastheignorantandtheunthinkingandtheuneducatedimagine，butstillmuch。Intheendwewhichmeansthemassesofus——willgaininfinitely。Butgainorlosshasnotbeeninso-calledmorality。Thereisnotavirtuethathasnotexistedfromtimeagesbeforerecord。Notavicewhichisshallowlycalled“effete“orthe“productofovercivilization，“butoriginatedbeforemanwasman。
　　TospeakoftheconditionsinwhichSusanLenoxnowlivedassavageryistomisusetheword。Everytransitionalstageisaccompaniedbyadisintegration。Savagerywasasettledstateinwhicheverymanandeverywomanhadhisorherfixedposition，settleddutiesandrights。Withthedownfallofsavagerywiththebeginningofthejourneytowardthathopeoftomorrow，civilization，everythingintherelationsofmenwithmenandmenwithwomen，becameunsettled。Suchsocialsystemsastheworldhasknownsincehaveallbeenmakeshiftandtemporary——likeoursocialsystemsoftoday，likethemoralandextinctcodesrisingandsinkinginpoweroveravastmultitudeofemigrantsmovingfromadistantabandonedhometowardadistantpromisedlandandforcedtoliveasbesttheycanintheinterval。Inthehistoricday”sjourneyofperhapsfifteenthousandyearsourpresenttimeisbutabriefsecond。Inthatsecondtherehascomeabreakingupofthemakeshiftorganizationwhichlongservedtheworkingmultitudesfairlywell。Theresultisananarchyinwhichthestrongoppresstheweak，inwhichthemassesarebeingcrushedbytheburdensimposeduponthembytheclasses。AndinthatparticularpartofthehumanraceenrouteintowhichfatehadflungSusanLenoxconditionsnotofsavagerybutofprimitivechaoswereprevailing。Alargepartofthepopulationlivedofftheunhappyworkersbyprostitution，bythieving，bypettyswindling，bypolitics，bythevariousdevicesincoarse，crudeandsmallimitationofthedevicesemployedbytherulingclasses。Andthesepettyparasitesimitatedthebigparasitesintheirwaysofspendingtheirdubiouslygotgains。Tohavea“goodtime“wastheidealhereasinidleFifthAvenue；andthenotionsofa“goodtime“invogueinthetwooppositequartersdifferedindegreeratherthaninkind。
　　Nothingtothinkaboutbuttheappetitesandtheirvices。
　　Nothingtohopeforbutthenextcarouse。Susanhadbroughtdownwithherfromaboveonedesireunknowntoherassociatesandneighbors——thedesiretoforget。Ifshecouldonlyforget！
　　Ifthepoisonwouldnotwearoffattimes！
　　Shecouldnotquiteforget。Andtobeunabletoforgetistoremember——andtorememberistolong——andtolongistohope。
　　SeveraltimessheheardofFreddiePalmer。Twiceshechanceduponhisnameinthenewspaper——anincidentalreferencetohiminconnectionwithlocalpolitics。Theothertimeswerewhenmentalkingtogetherinthedrinkingplacesfrequentedbybothsexesspokeofhimasaminorpowerintheorganization。Eachtimeshegotasenseofherremoteness，ofhersecurity。OnceshepassedinGrandStreetadetectiveshehadoftenseenwithhiminConsidine”satBroadwayandForty-second。The“bull“
　　lookedsharplyather。Herheartstoodstill。Buthewentonwithoutrecognizingher。Thesharpglancehadbeensimplythatofficialexpressionofsee-allandknow-allwhichismereformality，partoftheofficiallivery，otherwisemeaningless。
　　However，itisnottothatdetective”sdiscreditthathefailedtorecognizeher。Shehadadaptedherselftoherchangedsurroundings。
　　Becauseshewasofadifferentandhigherclass，andbecauseshepickedandchosehercompany，evenwhendrinkhadbecloudedhersensesandinstinctaloneremainedondrowsyguard，sheprospereddespiteherindifference。Forthatregionhaditsaristocracyofrichmerchants，tenement-owners，politicianswhosesons，closeimitatorsoftheuptownaristocraciesinmannersanddress，spentmoneyfreelyintheamusementsthatattractnearlyallyoungmeneverywhere。Susanmadealmostasmuchasshecouldhavemadeinthemorerenownedquartersofthetown。Andpresentlyshewasabletomoveintoatenementwhich，exceptfortwoworkingmen”sfamiliesofabetterclass，wasgivenoverentirelytofastwomen。Itwasmuchbetterkept，muchcleaner，muchbetterfurnishedthanthetenementsforworkerschiefly；theycouldnotafforddecencies，muchlessluxuries。Allthatsortofthingwas，fortheneighborhood，concentratedinthesaloons，thedancehalls，thefasthousesandthefastflats。
　　HerwalksinGrandStreetandtheBowery，repellingandcapriciousthoughshewaswithheralternatingmoodsofcoldmorosenessandsardonicandmockinggayety，werebringingherinagoodsumofmoneyforthatregion。Sometimesasmuchastwentydollarsaweek，rarelylessthantwelveorfifteen。Anddespiteherdrinkingandherfreehandednesswithherfellow-professionalslessfortunateandwiththestreetbeggarsandfortenementcharities，shehadinherstockingsacapitalofthirty-onedollars。
　　Sheavoidedthetoughplaces，thehang-outsofthegangs。Sherarelywentaloneintothestreetsatnight——andtheafternoonswere，luckily，bestforbusinessaswellasforsafety。Shemadenofriendsandthereforenoenemies。Withoutmeaningtodosoandwithoutrealizingthatshedidso，sheheldherselfaloofwithouthaughtinessthroughsenseofloneliness，notatallthroughsenseofsuperiority。Haditnotbeenforherscarletlips，afarmoremarkedsigninthatregionthananywhereuptown，shewouldhavepassedinthestreetforamoreorlessrespectablewoman——notthoroughlyrespectable；shewastoowelldressed，toointelligentlycaredfortoseemthegoodworkinggirl。
　　Ononeofthefewnightswhenshelingeredinthelittlebackroomofthesaloonafewdoorsawayatthecorner，assheenteredthedarkpassagewayofthetenement，strongfingerscloseduponherthroatandshewasbornetothefloor。Sheknewatoncethatshewasintheclutchofoneofthoseterrorsoftenementfastwomen，thelobbygows——menwholivebylyinginwaitinthedarknesstoseizeandrobthelonely，friendlessfastwoman。Shestruggled——andshewasanythingbutweak。Butnotasoundcouldescapefromhertight-pressedthroat。Soonshebecameunconscious。
　　Oneoftheworkingmen，returningdrunkfromthemeetingoftheunion，inthecornersaloon，stumbledoverher，gaveherakickinhisanger。Thisrousedher；sheutteredafaintcry。
　　“Thoughtitwasaman，“mumbledhe，dragginghertoasittingposition。Hestruckamatch。“Oh——it”syou！Don”tmakeanynoise。Ifmyoldwomancameout，she”dkillusboth。”
　　“Nevermindme，“saidSusan。“Iwasonlystunned。”
　　“Oh，Ithoughtitwasthebooze。Theysayyouhititsomethingfierce。”
　　“No——alobbygow。”Andshefeltforherstockings。Theyweretornawayfromhergarters。Herbosomalsowasbare，forthelobbygowhadsearchedthere，also。
　　“Howmuchdidheget？“
　　“Aboutthirty-five。”
　　“Thehellhedid！Wantmetocallacop？“
　　“No，“repliedSusan，whowasonherfeetagain。“What”stheuse？“
　　“Thosedamncops！“cursedtheworkingman。“They”dprobablypinchyou——orbothofus。Tentoonethelobbygowsdividewiththem。”
　　“Ididn”tmeanthat，“saidSusan。Thepoliceweremostfriendlyandmostkindtoher。Shewasunderstandingthewaysoftheworldbetternow，andappreciatedthatthepolicethemselveswerepartofthesamevastsystemoftyrannyandrobberythatwascompellingher。Thepolicemadeherpaybecausetheydarednotrefusetobecollectors。Theyboundwhomthemysteriousinvisiblepowercompelledthemtobind；
　　theyloosedwhomthatsamepowerbadethemloose。Shehadnoquarrelwiththepolice，whoprotectedherfromfarworseoppressionsandoppressorsthanthattowhichtheysubjectedher。Andiftheytoleratedlobbygowsanddividedwiththem，itwasbecausetheovershadowingpowerordaineditso。
　　“Needn”tbeafraidI”llblowtothecop，“saidthedrunkenartisan。“Youcandamnthecopsallyoupleasetome。TheymakeNewYorkworsethanRussia。”
　　“Iguesstheydothebesttheycan——likeeverybodyelse，“saidthegirlwearily。
　　“I”llhelpyouupstairs。”
　　“No，thankyou，“saidshe。Notthatshedidnotneedhelp；butshewishednodisagreeablescenewiththeworkingman”swifewhomightopenthedoorastheypassedhisfamily”sflat。
　　Shewentupstairs，themanwaitingbelowuntilsheshouldbesafe——andoutoftheway。Shestaggeredintoherroom，totteredtothebed，felluponit。AgirlnamedClara，wholivedacrossthehall，wassittinginarocking-chairinanightgown，readingaBerthaClaynovelandsmokingacigarette。
　　Sheglancedup，wasarrestedbythestrangelookinSusan”seyes。
　　“Hello——beenhittingthepipe，Isee，“saidshe。“DowninGussie”sroom？“
　　“No。Alobbygow，“saidSusan。
　　“Didhegetmuch？“
　　“Aboutthirty-five。”
　　“The——！“criedClara。“I”llbetitwasGussie”sfellow。
　　I”vesuspectedhim。Himandherstayin，hittingthepipeallthetime。Thatcostsmoney，andshehasn”tbeenoutforI
　　don”tknowhowlong。Let”sgodownthereandraisehell。”
　　“What”stheuse？“saidSusan。
　　“Yououghtto”a”putitinthesavingsbank。That”swhatI
　　do——whenIhaveanything。Then，whenI”mrobbed，theyonlygetwhatI”vejustmade。Lasttime，theydidn”tgetnothing——butme。”Andshelaughed。Herteethweregoodinfront，butoutononesideandbeginningtobediscoloredontheother。“Howlonghadyoubeensaving？“
　　“Nearlysixmonths。”
　　“Gee！_Isn”t_thathell！“Presentlyshelaughed。“Sixmonths”
　　workandonlythirty-fivetoshowforit。Guessyou”reaboutaspoorathivingitupasIam。IgiveittothatloaferI
　　livewith。Yougiveitawaytoanybodythatwantsastake。
　　Well——what”sthediff？Itallgoes。”
　　“Givemeacigarette，“saidSusan，sittingupandinspectingthebruisesonherbosomandlegs。“Andgetthatbottleofwhiskeyfromunderthesoiledclothesinthebottomofthewashstand。”
　　“It_is_somethingtocelebrate，isn”tit？“saidClara。“Myfellow”sgonetohisclubtonight，soIdidn”tgoout。Ineverdoanymore，unlesshe”stheretohangroundandseethatI
　　ain”tdoneup。You”llhavetogetafellow。You”llhavetocometoit，asI”malwaystellingyou。They”reexpensive，butthey”recompany——anybodyyoucancountonforshiningup，evenifitisforwhattheycangetoutofyou，isbetterthannothavingnobodynowhere。Andtheykeepoffbumsandlobbygowsandscarethebilkersintocoughingup。”
　　“Notforme，“repliedSusan。
　　Thegreaterthecatastrophe，thelongerthetimebeforeitisfullyrealized。Susan”slossofthemoneythatrepresentedsomuchofsavageifmomentaryhorror，andsomuchofunconscioushopethiscalamitydidnotoverwhelmherforseveraldays。
　　Thensheyieldedforthefirsttimetothelureofopium。Shehadlistenedlonginglytothedescriptionsofthedelightsasgirlsandmentold；forpracticallyallofthemsmoked——ortookcocaine。ButtoClara”sorGussie”sinvitationstojointhehappybandofdreamers，shehadalwaysreplied，“Notyet。I”msavingthat。”Now，however，shefeltthatthetimehadcome。
　　Hopeinthisworldshehadnone。Beforetheblackadventure，whynottrytheworldofblissfulunrealitytowhichitgaveentrance？Whyleavelifeuntilshehadexhaustedallitputwithinherreach？
　　ShewenttoGussie”sroomatmidnightandflungherselfdowninawrapperuponacouchoppositeasallow，delicateyoungman。
　　Hisgreatdarkeyesweregazingunseeinglyather，wereperhapsusingherasanoutlinesketchfromwhichhisimaginationcouldpictureabeautyoflovelinessbeyondhuman。Gussietaughtherhowtopreparethelittleballofopium，howtoputitonthepipeanddrawinitsfumes。Hersystemwassowellpreparedforitbythepoisonsshehaddrunkthatshehadsatisfactoryresultsfromtheoutset。Andsheentereduponthehappiestperiodofherlifethusfar。Allthehideousnessofherprofessiondisappearedunderthegorgeousdraperiesoftheimagination。Opium”smagictransformedthevile，theobscene，intothelofty，theromantic，theexalted。Theworldshehadbeenaccustomedtoregardasrealceasedtobeeventheblurthepoisonousliquorshadmadeofit，becameavague，distantthingseeninadream。Heropiumworldbecamethevividreality。
　　Thelifeshehadbeenleadinghadmadeherextremelythin，hadhardenedanddulledhereyes，hadgivenherthatsad，shudderingexpressionofthefaceuponwhichhavebeatenathousandmercenaryandlustfulkisses。Theopiumsoonchangedallthis。Herskin，alwaystendingtowardpallor，becameofthedeadamber-whiteofoldivory。Herthinnesstookonanetherealtransparencythatgavecharmeventoherslightstoop。
　　Herfacebecamedreamy，exalted，rapt；andherviolet-grayeyeslookedfromitliketheventsofpoeticalfiresburningwithoutceasinguponanaltartothegodofdreams。Neverhadshebeensobeautiful；neverhadshebeensohappy——notwiththecoarserhappinessofdancingeyeandlaughinglip，butwiththeecstasyofsoulthatisliketheshimmersofatranquilseaquiveringrhythmicallyunderthecaressesofmoonlight。
　　Inherdescentshehadnowreachedthatlongnarrowshelfalongwhichshewouldwalksolongashealthandlooksshouldlast——unlesssomeaccidentshouldtoppleheroffontheonesideintosuicideorontheothersideintothecriminalprostituteclass。Andsuchaccidentswerelikelytohappen。
　　Stilltherewasafairchanceofherkeepingherbalanceuntillossoflooksandlossofhealth——theendoftheshelf——shoulddropherabruptlytotheverybottom。Shecouldguesswhatwasthere。Everydayshesawaboutthestreets，mostwretchedandmostforlornofitswretchedandforlornthings，thesolitaryoldwomen，bentandtwisted，wrappedinrottingrags，pickingpapersandtobaccofromtheguttersandburrowingingarbagebarrels，seekingsomehowtogetthedrinkorthedopethatchangedhellintoheavenforthem。
　　Despiteliquorandopiumandthedegradationsofthestreet-woman”slifeshewalkedthatnarrowledgewithcurioussteadiness。Shewasunconsciousofthecause。Indeed，self-consciousnesshadneverbeenoneofhertraits。Thecauseisinteresting。
　　Inouregotism，inourshameofwhatweignorantlyregardasthelowlinessofouroriginwearealwaysseekingallegedloftyspiritualexplanationsofourdoings，andoverlooktheactual，quitesimplerealreason。OneofthestrongestfactorsinSusan”sholdingherselftogetherinfaceofoverwhelmingodds，wasthenearlyseventeenyearsofearlytrainingherAuntFannyWarhamhadgivenherinorderlyandsystematicways——aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace；atimeforeverythingandeverythingatitstime，neatness，scrupulouscleanliness，noneglectingofanyofthesmall，yetlarge，mattersthatconservethebody。SusanhadnotbeensoaptapupilofFannyWarham”saswasRuth，becauseSusanhadnotRuth”snatureoftheold-maidish，cut-and-driedconventional。
　　ButduringthewholefundamentallyformativeperiodofherlifeSusanLenoxhadbeentrainedtoorderandsystem，andtheyhadbecomepartofherbeing，beyondthepowerofdrinkandopiumandprostitutiontodisintegratethemuntilthegeneralbreak-upshouldcome。Inallherwanderingseverymanorwomanorgirlshehadmetwhowasnotrapidlybreakingup，butwasofferingmoreorlessresistancetotheassaultsofbadhabits，wasonewholikeherselfhadacquiredinchildhoodstronggoodhabitstoopposethebadhabitsandtofightthemwith。Anenemymustbemetwithhisownweaponsorstronger。Thestrongestweaponsthatcanbegivenahumananimalforcombatingthedestructiveforcesofthestruggleforexistencearenotgoodsentimentsorgoodprinciplesorevenpiousormoralpractices——for，badhabitscanmakeshortworkofallthese——butaregoodhabitsinthepractical，materialmattersoflife。Theyoperateautomatically，theyapplytoallthemultitudeofsmall，everyday；semi-unconsciousactionsofthedailyroutine。Theypreservethe_morale_。Andnotmoralitybutmoralsisthewarpofcharacter——thepartwhich，oncedestroyedorevenfrayed，cannotberestored。
　　Susan，unconsciouslyandtenaciouslypracticingherearlytraininginorderandsystemwhenevershecouldandwherevershecould，hadanenormousadvantageoverthemassofthegirls，bothrespectableandfast。Andwhiletheirevidencewasalwaystoward“goingtopieces“hertendencywasalwaystorepairandtoputoffthebreak-up。
　　OneJuneeveningshewaslookingthroughthebetterclassofdancehallsanddrinkingresortsforClara，togethertogouptoGussie”sforasmoke。Sheopenedadoorshehadneverhappenedtoenterbefore——adingydoorwiththeglassfrosted。
　　Justinsidetherewasafetidlittlebar；viewoftherestoftheroomwascutoffbyascreenfrombehindwhichcamethesoundofatunelessoldpiano。SheknewClarawouldnotbeinsuchaden，butoutofcuriositysheglancedroundthescreen。
　　Shewasseeingalow-ceilingedroom，thewallsalmostdrippingwiththedirtofmanyandmanyahardyear。Inacornerwasthepiano，battered，abouttofalltopieces，itsancientandhorridvoicecrackedbytheliquorwhichhadbeenpouredintoitbyfacetiousdrunkards。Atthekeyboardsatanoldhunchback，broken-jawed，dressedinslimyrags，hisoneeyeinstantlyfixeduponherwithalecherousexpressionthatmadehershiverasitcompelledhertoimaginetheembracehewasevidentlyimagining。Hisfilthyfingerswerepoundingoutawaltz。Aboutthefloorweretotteringinthemeasureofthewaltzascoreofdreadfuloldwomen。Theywereincalico。
　　Theyhadeachalittlebiscuitknotofwhitehairfirmlyuponthecrownofthehead。Fromtheirbleached，seamedoldfacesgleamedthelongingsorthetormentsofallthepassionstheycouldnolongereitherinspireorsatisfy。Theywereonetimeprostitutes，onetimeyoung，perhapsprettywomen，nowdescendingtodeath——stillprostitutesinheartandmindbutcompelledtoliveasscrubwomen，cleanersofallmannerofloathsomemessesindivesafterthedrunkardshadpassedon。
　　Theywerenowenjoyingtherewardoftheirtoil，thepleasuresofwhichtheydreamedandtowhichtheylookedforwardastheydraggedtheirstiffoldkneesalongthefloorsinthewakeofthebrushandthecloth。Theyweredrinkingbitingpoisonsfromtincups——forthosehandsquiveringwithpalsycouldnotbetrustedwithglass-dancingwithdrunken，disease-swollenortwistedlegs——ventingfromghastlytoothlessmouthsstrangecriesofmerrimentthatsoundedlikeshrieksofdamnedsoulsatthelickingofquenchlessflames。
　　Susanstoodrootedtothethresholdofthatfrightfulscene——thatvisionofthefuturetowardwhichshewashurrying。
　　Afewyears——averyfewyears——and，unlesssheshouldhavepassedthroughtheMorgue，hereshewouldbe，abandoningherbodytoabominationsbeyondbeliefatthehandsofdegenerateorientalsailorstogetafewpenniesfortheprivilegesofthisdancehall。Andshewouldlaugh，asdidthese，wouldenjoyasdidthese，wouldrevelinthefilthhersenseshadbeentrainedtofindsweet。“No！No！“sheprotested。“I”dkillmyselffirst！“Andthenshecoweredagain，asthethoughtcamethatsheprobablywouldnot，anymorethanthesehadkilledthemselves。Thedescentwouldbegradual——nomatterhowswift，stillgradual。Onlytheinsaneputanendtolife。
　　Yes——shewouldcomeheresomeday。
　　Sheleanedagainstthewall，herthroatcontractinginafitofnausea。Shegrewcoldallover；herteethchattered。Shetriedinvaintotearhergazefromthespectacle；someinvisiblepowerseemedtobeholdingherheadinavise，thrustingherstrugglingeyelidsviolentlyopen。
　　Therewereseveralmen，deaddrunk，asleepinoldwoodenchairsagainstthewall。Oneofthesemenwassonearherthatshecouldhavetouchedhim。Hisclothingwassuchanassortmentofragsslimyandgreasyasonesometimesseesuponthetopofafilledgarbagebarreltoadditshorrorsofodoroflongunwashedhumanitytothestenchesfromvegetabledecay。Hiswreckofahardhathadfallenfromhisheadasitdroppedforwardindrunkensleep。Somethingintheshapeoftheheadmadeherconcentrateuponthisman。Shegaveasharpcry，stretchedoutherhand，touchedtheman”sshoulder。
　　“Rod！“shecried。“Rod！“
　　Theheadslowlylifted，andthebleary，blowsywreckofRoderickSpenser”shandsomefacewasturnedstupidlytowardher。Intohisgrayeyesslowlycameagleamofrecognition。
　　Thenshesawtheredofshameburstintohishollowcheeks，andtheheadquicklydrooped。
　　Sheshookhim。“Rod！It”s_you！_“
　　“Getthehellout，“hemumbled。“Iwanttosleep。”
　　“Youknowme，“shesaid。“Iseethecolorinyourface。Oh，Rod——youneedn”tbeashamedbefore_me_。”
　　Shefelthimquiverunderherfingerspressinguponhisshoulder。Buthepretendedtosnore。
　　“Rod，“shepleaded，“Iwantyoutocomealongwithme。Ican”tdoyouanyharmnow。”
　　Thehunchbackhadstoppedplaying。TheoldwomenwerecrowdingroundSpenserandher，werepeeringatthem，witheyeseagerandearsa-cockforromance——fornowhereonthisearthdothestarsshinesosweetlyasdownbetweentheprecipicesofshametotheblackflooroftheslum”sabyss。Spenser，stoopedandshaking，roseabruptly，thrustSusanasidewithasweepofthearmthatmadeherreel，boltedintothestreet。Sherecoveredherbalanceandamidhoarsecroakingsof“That”sright，honey！
　　Don”tgivehimup！“followedtheshambling，swayingfigure。
　　Hewastooutterlydrunktogofar；soondownhesank，aheapofragsandfilth，againstastoop。
　　Shebentoverhim，sawhewasbeyondrousing，straightenedandlookedabouther。TwohonestlookingyoungJewsstopped。
　　“Won”tyouhelpmegethimhome？“shesaidtothem。
　　“Sure！“repliedtheyinchorus。And，withnooutwardsignofthedisgusttheymusthavefeltatthecontact，theyliftedupthesot，insuchfantasticcontrasttoSusan”scleanandevenstylishappearance，andborehimalong，tryingtomakehimseemlessthehelplesswhiskey-soakeddeadweight。Theydraggedhimupthetwoflightsofstairsand，asshepushedbackthedoor，depositedhimonthefloor。Sheassuredthemtheycoulddonothingmore，thankedthem，andtheydeparted。Claraappearedinherdoorway。
　　“GodAlmighty，Lorna！“shecried。“_What_haveyougotthere？
　　How”ditgetin？“
　　“You”vebeenadvisingmetotakeafellow，“saidSusan。
　　“Well——hereheis。”
　　Claralookedatherasifshethoughthercrazedbydrinkordope。“I”llcallthejanitorandhavehimthrownout。”
　　“No，he”smylover，“saidSusan。“Willyouhelpmecleanhimup？“
　　Clara，lookingatSpenser”sfacenow，sawthosesignswhichnotthehardestoftheworld”shardusescancutortearaway。
　　“Oh！“shesaid，inatoneofsympathy。“He_is_down，isn”the？
　　Buthe”llpullroundallright。”
　　Shewentintoherroomtotakeoffherstreetclothesandtogetherselfintogarmentsassuitableasshepossessedforoneofthosenoisometasksthataredoneadozentimesadaybythebathnursesinthereceivingdepartmentofacharityhospital。
　　Whenshereturned，Susantoowasinherchemiseandreadytobeginthesearchfortheman，ifmantherewasleftdeepburiedinthatmuck。WhileSusantookoffthestinkingandrottenrags，andflungthemintothehall，ClarawenttothebathroomtheyandMollieshared，andfilledthetubwithwaterashotasherhandcouldbear。WithherfootSusanpushedtheragsalongthehallfloorandintothegarbagecloset。ThensheandClaraliftedtheemaciated，dirt-streaked，filth-smearedbody，carriedittothebathroom，letitdownintothewater。Therewereathandplentyofthosestrong，speciallypreparedsoapsandotherdisinfectantsconstantlyusedbythewomenoftheirkindwhostillclingtocleanlinessandhealth。Withthesetheyattackedhim，notasifhewereahumanbeing，butasifheweresomeinanimateobjectthatmustbescouredbeforeitcouldbeused。
　　Againandagaintheyletoutthewater，black，fullofdeadanddyingvermin；againandagaintheyrinsedhim，attackedhimafresh。Theirtaskgrewlessandlessrepulsiveasthemangraduallyappeared，ayoungmanwithasoftskin，awell-formedbody，unusuallygoodhandsandfeet，adistinguishedfacedespiteitssavagewoundsfromdissipation，hardlythelesshandsomeforthenowfairandcrispbeardwhichgaveitalookofmoreyearsthanSpenserhadlived。
　　IfSpenserrecoveredconsciousness——anditseemshardlypossiblethathedidnot——hewascarefultoconcealthefact。
　　Heremainedlimp，inert，apparentlyinastupor。Theygavehimonefinalscrubbing，onefinalrinsing，onefinalthoroughinspection。“Now，he”sallright，“declaredClara。“Whatshallwedowithhim？“
　　“Puthimtobed，“saidSusan。
　　Theyhadalreadydriedhimoffintheemptytub。Theynowrubbedhimdownwitharoughtowel，liftedhim，Susantakingtheshoulders，Clarathelegs，andputhiminSusan”sbed。
　　Clararantoherroom，broughtoneofthetwonightshirtsshekeptforherfellow。Whentheyhadhiminthisandwithasheetoverhim，theycleanedandstraightenedthebathroom，thenlitcigarettesandsatdowntorestandtoadmiretheworkoftheirhands。
　　“Whoishe？“askedClara。
　　“AmanIusedtoknow，“saidSusan。Likeallthegirlsinthatlifewitharealstorytotell，shenevertoldaboutherpastself。Nevertell？Theyneverevenrememberifdrinkanddrugswilldotheirduty。
　　“Idon”tblameyouforlovinghim，“saidClara。“Somehow，theloweramansinksthemoreawomanloveshim。It”stheotherwaywithmen。Butthenmendon”tknowwhatloveis。Andawomandon”treallyknowtillshe”sbeenthroughthemill。”
　　“Idon”tlovehim，“saidSusan。
　　“Samething，“repliedthepracticalClara，withawaveofthebarearmattheendofwhichsmokedthecigarette。“What”reyougoingtodowithhim？“
　　“Idon”tknow，“confessedSusan。
　　Shewasnotalittleuneasyatthethoughtofhisawakening。
　　Wouldhedespisehermorethanevernow——flyfromherbacktohisfilth？Wouldhelethertrytohelphim？Andshelookedatthefacewhichhadbeen，inthatotherlifesolong，longago，dearertoherthananyfacehereyeshadeverrestedupon；
　　asobstarteddeepdownwithinher，founditsslowandpainfulwayupward，shakingherwholebodyandcomingfrombetweenherclenchedteethinagroan。SheforgotallshehadsufferedfromRod——forgotthetruthabouthimwhichshehadslowlypuzzledoutaftershelefthimandasexperienceenabledhertounderstandactionsshehadnotunderstoodatthetime。Sheforgotitall。Thatpast——thatfar，dear，deadpast！Againshewasasimple，innocentgirluponthehighrock，eatingthatwonderfuldinner。Againtheeveninglightfaded，starsandmooncameout，andshefeltthefirstsweetstirringofloveforhim。Shecouldhearhisvoice，thelight，clear，entrancingmelodyoftheDuke”ssong——
　　LaDonnaemobileQuapennaalvento——
　　Sheburstintotears——tearsthatdrenchedhersoulastheraindrenchestheblasteddesertandmakesthethingsthatcouldliveinbeautystirdeepinitsbosom。AndClara，sobbinginsympathy，kissedherandstoleaway，softlyclosingthedoor。
　　“Ifamandie，shallheliveagain？“askedtheoldArabianphilosopher。Ifawomandie，shallsheliveagain？……
　　Shallnotthatwhichdiesinweaknessliveagaininstrength？……
　　Lookingathim，ashelaytheresleepingsoquietly，herbeingsurgedwiththeheavingofhighlongingsandhopes。
　　If_they_couldonlyliveagain！Heretheywere，together，atthelowestdepth，attherockbottomoflife。Iftheycouldbuildonthatrock，buildupontheveryfoundationoftheworld，thenwouldtheyindeedbuildinstrength！Then，nothingcoulddestroy——nothing！……Iftheycouldliveagain！Iftheycouldbuild！
　　Shehadsomethingtolivefor——somethingtofightfor。Intohereyescameanewlight；intohersoulcamepeaceandstrength。Somethingtolivefor——someonetoredeem。XI
　　SHEfellasleep，herheadrestinguponherhand，herelbowonthearmofthechair。Sheawokewithashiver；sheopenedhereyestofindhimgazingather。Theeyesofbothshiftedinstantly。“Wouldn”tyoulikesomewhiskey？“sheasked。
　　“Thanks，“repliedhe，andhisunchangedvoiceremindedhervividlyofhisoldself，obscuredbythebeardandbythedissipatedlook。
　　Shetookthebottlefromitsconcealmentinthelockedwashstanddrawer，pouredhimoutalargedrink。Whenshecamebackwherehecouldseethewhiskeyintheglass，hiseyesglistenedandheraisedhimselffirstonhiselbow，thentoasittingposition。Hisshakinghandreachedouteagerlyandhisexpectantlipsquivered。Hegulpedthewhiskeydown。
　　“Thankyou，“hesaid，gazinglonginglyatthebottleasheheldtheemptyglasstowardher。
　　“More？“
　　“I_would_likealittlemore，“saidhegratefully。
　　Againshepouredhimalargedrink，andagainhegulpeditdown。“That”sstrongstuff，“saidhe。“Butthentheysellstrongstuffinthispartoftown。Theotherkindtastesweaktomenow。”
　　Hedroppedbackagainstthepillows。Shepouredherselfadrink。Halfwaytoherlipstheglasshalted。“I”vegottostopthat，“thoughtshe，“ifI”mgoingtodoanythingforhimorformyself。”Andshepouredthewhiskeybackandputthebottleaway。Thewholeincidenttooklessthanfiveseconds。
　　Itdidnotoccurthatshewasessayingandachievingtheheroic，thatshehadinthatinstantrevealedherrighttoherdreamofacareerhighabovethecommonlot。
　　“Don”t_you_drink？“saidhe。
　　“I”vedecidedtocutitout，“repliedshecarelessly。“There”snothinginit。”
　　“Icouldn”tlivewithoutit——andwouldn”t。”
　　“It_is_acomfortwhenone”sonthewaydown，“saidshe。“ButI”mgoingtotrytheotherdirection——forachange。”
　　Sheheldaboxofcigarettestowardhim。Hetookone，thenshe；sheheldthelightedmatchforhim，litherowncigarette，lettheflameofthematchburnon，sheabsentlywatchingit。
　　“Lookout！You”llburnyourself！“criedhe。
　　Shestarted，threwthematchintotheslopjar。“Howdoyoufeel？“inquiredshe。
　　“Likethedevil，“heanswered。“ButthenIhaven”tknownwhatitwastofeelanyotherwayforseveralmonthsexceptwhenI
　　couldn”tfeelatall。”Alongsilence，bothsmoking，hethinking，shefurtivelywatchinghim。“Youhaven”tchangedsomuch，“hefinallysaid。“Atleast，notontheoutside。”
　　“Moreontheoutsidethanontheinside，“saidshe。“Theinsidedoesn”tchangemuch。ThereI”malmostasIwasthatdayonthebigrock。AndIguessyouare，too——aren”tyou？“
　　“ThedevilIam！I”vegrownhardandbitter。”
　　“That”salloutside，“declaredshe。“That”stheshell——likethescabthatstaysoverthesorespottillitheals。”
　　“Sorespot？I”mnothingbutsorespots。I”vebeentreatedlikeadog。”
　　Andheproceededtotalkabouttheonlysubjectthatinterestedhim——himself。Hespokeinadefensiveway，asifreplyingtosomethingshehadsaidorthought。“I”venotgotdownintheworldwithoutdamngoodexcuse。Iwroteseveralplays，andtheyweretriedoutoftown。ButwenevercouldgetintoNewYork。IthinkBrentwasjealousofme，andhisinfluencekeptmefromahearing。Iknowitsoundsconceited，butI”msureI”mright。”
　　“Brent？“saidshe，inaqueervoice。“Oh，Ithinkyoumustbemistaken。Hedoesn”tlooklikeamanwhocoulddopettymeanthings。No，I”msurehe”snotpetty。”
　　“Doyouknowhim？“criedSpenser，inanirritatedtone。
　　“No。But——someonepointedhimouttomeonce——alongtimeago——onenightintheMartin。Andthen——you”llremember——thereusedtobeagreatdealoftalkabouthimwhenwelivedinForty-thirdStreet。Youadmiredhimtremendously。”
　　“Well，he”sresponsible，“saidSpenser，sullenly。“Themenontoparealwaystramplingdownthosewhoaretryingtoclimbup。
　　Hehaditinforme。Oneofmyfriendswhothoughthewasadecentchapgavehimmybestplaytoread。Hereturneditwithsomephrasesaboutitsshowingtalent——oneofthosephrasesthatdon”tmeanadamnthing。Andafewweeksago”Spenserraisedhimselfexcitedly”thethievinghoundproducedaplaythatwasacleanstealfrommine。I”dbelaughedatifI
　　protestedorsued。ButI_know_，cursehim！“
　　Hefellbackshakingsoviolentlythathiscigarettedroppedtothesheet。Susanpickeditup，handedittohim。Heeyedherwithangrysuspicion。“Youdon”tbelieveme，doyou？“hedemanded。
　　“Idon”tknowanythingaboutit，“repliedshe。“Anyhow，whatdoesitmatter？ThemanImetonthatshowboat——theMr。
　　BurlinghamI”veoftentalkedabout——heusedtosaythatthedogthatstoppedtolickhisscratchesnevercaughtupwiththeprey。”
　　Heflunghimselfangrilyinthebed。“Youneverdidhaveanyheart——anysympathy。Butwhohas？EvenDrumleywentbackonme——let”emputaroastofmylastplayinthe_Herald_——atelegraphedroastfromNewHaven——saiditwasadeadfailure。
　　Andwhowroteit？Why，somenewspapercorrespondentinthepayofthe_Syndicate_——andthatmeansBrent。Andofcourseitwasadeadfailure。So——Igaveup——andhereIam……Thisyourroom？“
　　“Yes。”
　　“Where”sthisnightshirtcomefrom？“
　　“Itbelongstothefriendofthegirlacrossthehall。”Helaughedsneeringly。“Thehellitdoes！“mockedhe。“I
　　understandperfectly。Iwantmyclothes。”
　　“Nooneiscoming，“saidSusan。“There”snoonetocome。”
　　Hewaslookingroundthecomfortablelittleroomthatwasthetalkofthewholetenementandwasstirringwivesandfastwomenaliketo“doalittlefixingup。”Saidhe：
　　“Anicelittlenestyou”vemadeforhim。Youalwaysweregoodatthat。”
　　“I”vemadeitformyself，“saidshe。“Ineverbringmenhere。”
　　“Iwantmyclothes，“criedhe。“Ihaven”tsunkthatlow，you——！“
　　ThewordheuseddidnotgreatlydisturbSusan。Theshellshehadformedoverherselfcouldwardoffbrutalcontactsoflanguagesnolessthanoftheotherkinds。Itdid，however，shockheralittletohearRodSpenseruseawordsocrude。
　　“Givememyclothes，“heordered，wavinghisfistsinafierce，feeblegesture。
　　“Theyweretornalltopieces。Ithrewthemaway。I”llgetyousomemoreinthemorning。”
　　Hedroppedbackagain，ascowluponhisface。“I”vegotnomoney——notadamncent。Ididhalfaday”sworkonthedocksandmadeenoughtoquietmelastnight。”Heraisedhimself。
　　“Icanworkagain。Givememyclothes！“
　　“They”regone，“saidSusan。“Theywerecompletelyusedup。”
　　Thisbroughtbackapparentlyanythingbutdimmemoryofwhathisplighthadbeen。“How”dIhappentogetsoclean？“
　　“ClaraandIwashedyouoffalittle。Youhadfallendown。”
　　Helaysilentafewminutes，thensaidinahesitating，ashamedtone，“Mytroubleshavemademeaboor。Ibegyourpardon。
　　You”vebeentremendouslykindtome。”
　　“Oh，itwasn”tmuch。Don”tyoufeelsleepy？“
　　“Notabit。”Hedraggedhimselffromthebed。“But_you_do。
　　Imustgo。”
　　Shelaughedinthefriendliestway。“Youcan”t。Youhaven”tanyclothes。”
　　Hepassedhishandoverhisfaceandcoughedviolently，sheholdinghisheadandsupportinghisemaciatedshoulders。Afterseveralminutesofcoughingandgagging，gaspingandgroaningandspitting，hewasrelievedbythespasmandlaydownagain。
　　Whenhegothisbreath，hesaid——withrestbetweenwords”I”daskyoutosendfortheambulance，butifthedoctorscatchme，they”lllockmeaway。I”vegotconsumption。Oh，I”llsoonbeoutofit。”
　　Susansatsilent。Shedidnotdarelookathimlestheshouldseethepityandhorrorinhereyes。
　　“They”llfindacureforit，“pursuedhe。“ButnottillthedayafterI”mgone。Thatisthewaymyluckruns。Still，I
　　don”tseewhyIshouldcaretostay——andIdon”t！Haveyouanymoreofthatwhiskey？“
　　Susanbroughtoutthebottleagain，gavehimthelastofthewhiskey——alargedrink。Hesatup，sippingittomakeitlast。
　　Henotedthelongrowofbooksontheshelffastenedalongthewallbesidethebed，thebooksandmagazinesonthetable。
　　Saidhe：
　　“Asfondofreadingasever，Isee？“
　　“Fonder，“saidshe。“Ittakesmeoutofmyself。”
　　“Isupposeyoureadthesortofstuffyoureallylike，now——notthethingsyouusedtoreadtomakeoldDrumleythinkyouwereculturedandintellectual。”
　　“No——thesamesort，“repliedshe，unruffledbyhiscontemptuous，unjustfling。“Trashboresme。”
　　“Cometothinkofit，Iguessyoudidhaveprettygoodtasteinbooks。”
　　Buthewasinterestedinhimself，likeallinvalids；and，likethem，hefanciedhisownintenseinterestcouldnotbutbesharedbyeveryone。Hetalkedonandonofhimself，afterthemanneroffailures——toldofhiswrongs，ofhowfriendshadbetrayedhim，ofthejealousiesandenmitieshistalentshadprovoked。Susanwasusedtothesehard-luckstories，wasusedtoanalyzingthem。Withtheaidofwhatshehadworkedoutastohischaracteraftershelefthim，shehadnodifficultyinseeingthathewasdeceivinghimself，wasexcusinghimself。
　　Butafterallshehadlivedthrough，afterallshehaddiscoveredabouthumanfrailty，especiallyinherself，shewasnotabletocriticize，muchlesscondemn，anybody。Herdoubtsmerelysethertowonderingwhetherhemightnotalsobeself-deceivedastohisdisease。
　　“Whydoyouthinkyou”vegotconsumption？“askedshe。
　　“IwasexaminedatthefreedispensaryupinSecondAvenuetheotherday。I”vesuspectedwhatwasthematterforseveralmonths。TheytoldmeIwasright。”
　　“Butthedoctorsarealwaysmakingmistakes。I”dnotgiveupifIwereyou。”
　　“DoyousupposeIwouldifIhadanythingtolivefor？“
　　“Iwasthinkingaboutthatawhileago——whileyouwereasleep。”
　　“Oh，I”mallin。That”sacinch。”
　　“SoamI，“saidshe。“Andaswe”venothingtoloseandnohope，why，tryingtodosomethingwon”tmakeusanyworseoff……
　　We”vebothstruckthebottom。Wecan”tgoanylower。”Sheleanedforwardand，withherearnesteyesfixeduponhim，said，“Rod——whynottry——together？“
　　Heclosedhiseyes。
　　“I”mafraidIcan”tbeofmuchusetoyou，“shewenton。“Butyoucanhelpme。Andhelpingmewillmakeyouhelpyourself。
　　Ican”tgetupalone。I”vetried。Nodoubtit”smyfault。I
　　guessI”moneofthosewomenthataren”thardenoughorself-confidentenoughtodowhat”snecessaryunlessI”vegotsomemantomakemedoit。PerhapsI”dgetthe——thestrengthorwhateveritis，whenIwasmucholder。Butbythattimeinmycase——Iguessit”dbetoolate。Won”tyouhelpme，Rod？“
　　Heturnedhisheadaway，withoutopeninghiseyes。
　　“You”vehelpedmemanytimes——beginningwiththefirstdaywemet。”
　　“Don”t，“hesaid。“Iwentbackonyou。Ididsprainmyankle，butIcouldhavecome。”
　　“Thatwasn”tanything，“repliedshe。“Youhadalreadydoneathousandtimesmorethanyouneededtodo。”
　　Hishandwanderedalongthecoverinherdirection。Shetouchedit。Theirhandsclasped。
　　“IliedaboutwhereIgotthemoneyyesterday。Ididn”twork。
　　Ibegged。Threeofus——fromthesaloontheycalltheOwl”sChute——twoYalemen——oneofthemhadbeenajudge——andI。
　　We”vebeenbeggingforaweek。Weweregoingoutontheroadinafewdays——torob。Then——Isawyou——inthatoldwomen”sdancehall——theVenusberg，theycallit。”
　　“You”vecomedownhereforme，Rod。You”lltakemeback？
　　You”llsavemefromtheVenusberg？“
　　“Icouldn”tsaveanybody。Susie，atbottomI”mN。G。I
　　alwayswas——andIknewit。Weak——vain。Butyou！Ifyouhadn”tbeenawoman——andsuchasweet，considerateoneyou”dhavenevergotdownhere。”
　　“Suchafool，“correctedSusan。“But，onceIgetup，I”llnotbesoagain。I”llfightundertherules，insteadofactinginthesillywaytheyteachusaschildren。”
　　“Don”tsaythosehardthings，Susie！“
　　“Aren”ttheytrue？“
　　“Yes，butIcan”tbeartohearthemfromawoman……I
　　toldyouthatyouhadn”tchanged。ButafterI”dlookedatyouawhileIsawthatyouhave。You”vegotaterriblelookinyoureyes——wonderfulandterrible。Youhadsomethingofthatlookasachild——thefirsttimeIsawyou。”
　　“Thedayaftermymarriage，“saidthegirl，tearingherfaceaway。
　　“Itwastherethen，“hewenton。“Butnow——it”s——it”sheartbreaking，Susiewhenyourfaceisinrepose。”
　　“I”vegonethroughafirethathasburnedupeverybitofmethatcanburn，“saidshe。“I”vebeenwonderingifwhat”sleftisn”tstrongenoughtodosomethingwith。Ibelieveso——ifyou”llhelpme。”
　　“Helpyou？I——helpanybody？Don”tmockme，Susie。”
　　“Idon”tknowaboutanybodyelse，“saidshesweetlyandgently，“butIdoknowaboutme。”
　　“Nouse——toolate。I”velostmynerve。”Hebegantosob。
　　“It”sbecauseI”munstrung，“explainedhe。
　　“Don”tthinkI”mapoorcontemptiblefoolofawhiner……
　　Yes，I_am_awhiner！Susie，Ioughttohavebeenthewomanandyoutheman。Weak——weak——weak！“
　　Sheturnedthegaslow，bentoverhim，kissedhisbrow，caressedhim。“Let”sdothebestwecan，“shemurmured。
　　Heputhisarmroundher。“Iwonderifthere_is_anyhope，“hesaid。“No——therecouldn”tbe。”
　　“Let”snothope，“pleadedshe。“Let”sjustdothebestwecan。”
　　“What——forinstance？“
　　“Youknowthetheaterpeople。Youmightwritealittleplay——asketch——andyouandIcouldactitinoneoftheten-centhouses。”
　　“That”snotabadidea！“exclaimedhe。“Alittlecomedy——aboutfifteenortwentyminutes。”Andhecastaboutforaplot，foundthebeginningsofonetheancientbuteveracceptablecommonplaceofajealousquarrelbetweentwolovers”I”lllaythesceneinFifthAvenue——there”snothinglowlifelikessomuchashighlife。”Hesketched，shesuggested。Theyplanneduntilbroadday，thenfellasleep，shehalfsittingup，hisheadpilloweduponherlap。
　　Shewasawakenedbyasenseofaparchingandsuffocatingheat。
　　Shestartedupwiththeideaoffireinherdrowsymind。Butaglanceathimrevealedtherealcause。Hisfacewasfieryred，andfromhislipscameramblingsentences，muttered，whispered，thatindicatedthedeliriumofahighfever。ShehadfirstseenitwhensheandthenightporterbrokeintoBurlingham”sroomintheWalnutStreetHouse，inCincinnati。
　　Shehadseenitmanyatimesince；for，whilesheherselfhadneverbeenill，shehadbeensurroundedbyillnessallthetime，andthecommonestformofitwasoneofthesefevers，outragednature”sfrenziedriseagainsttheeverdenserswarmsofenemiesfromwithoutwhichtheslumssenttoattackher。
　　SusanranacrossthehallandrousedClara，whowouldwatchwhileshewentforadoctor。“You”dbettergetEinsteininGrandStreet，“Claraadvised。
　　“WhynotSacci？“askedSusan。
　　“Ourdoctordoesn”tknowanythingbuttheonething——andhedoesn”tliketotakeotherkindsofcases。No，getEinstein……Youknow，he”slikeallofthem——hewon”tcomeunlessyoupayinadvance。”
　　“Howmuch？“askedSusan。
　　“Threedollars。I”lllendyouif——”
　　“No——I”vegotit。”Shehadelevendollarsandsixtycentsintheworld。
　　Einsteinpronounceditacaseoftyphoid。“Youmustgethimtothehospitalatonce。”
　　SusanandClaralookedateachotherinterror。Tothem，astothemasseseverywhere，thehospitalmeantalmostcertaindeath；
　　fortheyassumed——andtheyhadheardagainandagainaccusationswhichwarrantedit——thatthepublichospitaldoctorsandnursestreatedtheirpatientswithneglectalways，withdownrightinhumanityoften。Notadaypassedwithouttheirhearingsomestoryofhospitaloutrageuponpoverty，withouttheirseeingsomeone——usuallysomechild——whowaspayingaheavypenaltyforhavingbeeninthecharitywards。
　　Einsteinunderstoodtheirexpression。“Nonsense！“saidhegruffly。“Yougirlslooktoosensibletobelievethosesillylies。”
　　Susanlookedathimsteadily。Hiseyesshifted。“Ofcourse，thepayservice_is_better，“saidheinastrikinglydifferenttone。
　　“Howmuchwoulditbeatapayhospital？“askedSusan。
　　“Twenty-fiveaweekincludingmyservices，“saidDoctorEinstein。“Butyoucan”taffordthat。”
　　“Willhegetthebesttreatmentforthat？“
　　“Theverybest。AsgoodasifhewereRockefellerorthebigchapuptown。”
　　“Inadvance，Isuppose？“
　　“Wouldweevergetourmoneyoutofpeopleifwedidn”tgetitinadvance？We”vegottolivejustthesameasanyotherclass。”
　　“Iunderstand，“saidthegirl。“Idon”tblameyou。Idon”tblameanybodyforanything。”ShesaidtoClara，“Canyoulendmetwenty？“
　　“Sure。Comeinandgetit。”WhensheandSusanwereinthehallbeyondEinstein”shearing，shewenton：“I”vegotthetwentyandyou”rewelcometoit。But——Lornahadn”tyoubetter——”
　　“Inthesamesortofacase，what”d_you_do？“interruptedSusan。
　　Claralaughed。“Oh——ofcourse。”AndshegaveSusanarollofmuchsoiledbills——afive，therestonesandtwos。
　　“Icangettheambulancetotakehimfree，“saidEinstein。
　　“That”llsaveyoufiveforacarriage。”
　　Sheacceptedthisoffer。Andwhentheambulancewent，withSpenserburningandravinginthetightlywrappedblankets，Susanfollowedinastreetcartoseewithherowneyesthathewasproperlyinstalled。Itwasarrangedthatshecouldvisithimatanyhourandstayaslongassheliked。
　　Shereturnedtothetenement，tofindthesentimentoftheentireneighborhoodchangedtowardher。Notlossofmoney，notlossofwork，notdispossessionnorfirenordeathisthesupremecalamityamongthepoor，butsickness。Itistheirmostfrequentvisitor——sicknessinallitsmanyfrightfulforms——rheumatismandconsumption，cancerandtyphoidandtherestofthemonsters。Yetneverdothepoorgrowaccustomedorhardened。Andatthesightoftheambulancetheneighborhoodhadbeeninstantlystirred。Whenthereasonforitscominggotabout，Susanbecametheobjectofuniversalsympathyandrespect。Shewasnotsendingherfriendtobeneglectedandkilledatacharityhospital；shewaspayingtwenty-fiveaweekthathemighthaveachanceforlife——twenty-fivedollarsaweek！Theneighborsfeltthatherhighpurposejustifiedanymeansshemightbecompelledtoemployingettingthemoney。
　　Womenwhohadscowledandspatasshewalkedby，spokefriendlilytoherandwipedtheireyeswiththeirfilthyskirts，andprayedinchurchandsynagoguethatshemightprosperuntilhermanwaswellandtheolddebtpaid。Clarawentfromgrouptogroup，relatingthewholestory，andthetearsflowedateachrecital。Moneytheyhadnonetogive；butwhattheyhadtheygavewiththatgenerositywhichsuddenlytransfiguresragsandfilthandmakesfoulanddistortedbodiesliftinthefulldignityofmembershipinthehumanfamily。